GALWEGIANS 7 BUCCANEERS 20
Saving the best wine for last, Buccaneers were full value for their 20-7 Energia All-Ireland League victory over newly crowned Division 2B champions Galwegians at Crowley Park, Galway, on Saturday. The game was played in horrendous conditions as Storm David had a huge impact with the Glenina surface adding to the testing challenges for both teams. Buccs met them all head on and, displaying the potential and enterprise in the squad, were clearcut victors on the day.
Buccs made two changes, both in the backline, from their narrow defeat to Sligo with Gearoid McDonald and David Colgan fit to return. The homesters had a trio of changes with Darragh Kennedy and Andrew Sherlock starting in the backline and Rob Holian at lock.
After the pitch passed a late inspection, Buccs had first benefit of the bitter breeze blowing towards the clubhouse and they promptly pinned the light blues deep in the home half. Their endeavours gained an early reward when Samuel Meecham’s quick-thinking caught Wegians napping as he promptly tapped a penalty to surge over between the uprights for a 10th minute try which McDonald converted.
Two minutes later Tom Shine finished off a swift counter-attack from the restart but, while his grounding looked good, referee Fergal Brislane surprisingly thought otherwise, deeming that Shine had been held up by home fullback Cian Brady. However, Buccs continued to press forward, forcing the hosts to concede penalties and McDonald was on target on 14 and 17 minutes to give the Pirates a 13-0 lead.
Soon afterwards a super penalty to touch on the right gave Buccs another promising position. However, a knock-on following the lineout spoiled this situation but it was a rare error by the midlanders in the prevailing conditions. The Tribesmen escaped censure when a prop stamped on Abel Bouwens in the second quarter close to the visitors dugout, much to the incense of their mentors. Despite camping in home territory for the majority of the half, Buccaneers did not add to their tally and a half-time advantage of 13-0 looked highly vulnerable.
Two minutes into the second half, it looked even more precarious as a crossfield kick caught out the Athlone side’s defence and Kennedy touched down wide on the right. Former Bucc Stephen Mannion’s conversion ominously narrowed the arrears to just 6 points.
But from there on Buccaneers were relentless in tackling and carrying, taking the game against the champions and also the increasing storm. Their workrate and support play was exemplary with every player from 1 to 20 contributing significantly. Indeed, the Shannonsiders enjoyed almost as much territory against the elements as they had done in the opening half and one sequence of pick and goes must have been in excess of 40 phases and earned a visit to the sin bin for the hosts’ Brian McHugo as the contest entered the final quarter.
Buccs handling and retention was magnificent, particularly bearing in mind the conditions, and they were far more patient and accurate than on too many occasions during a sometimes frustrating campaign. They piled on massive pressure in the final quarter and finally gained reward when long-time warrior James Kelly forced his way over at the uprights for a 76th minute try. McDonald’s conversion ensured there was no hope of a comeback by stunned champions.
Buccaneers display was the epitome of a true team contribution and sets the benchmark for next season. It was the Pirates best implementation by quite some distance in 2B and gives hope and confidence for the future, be it in the North or South section when the league is redrawn for the next season. Although inconsistency was an irritation, the coaching and management team steadied the Pirates ship and the crew, with a few key additions, can be really competitive in the near future.
Meanwhile, congratulations to Galwegians on their promotion to 2A.
GALWEGIANS:- C.Brady; D.Kennedy, R.Deacy, S.Mannion, O.McKey; C.Elwood, A.Sherlock; J.Winters, R.Smith, T.Gormley; R.Holian, B.McHugo; L.Angermann, D.Keane (captain) and J.Butler. Replacements:- L.Murtagh (for Gormley), R.Gavin (for Holian), E.Ferry (for Smith), A.Lindner (for Sherlock) and P.Sharkey (for Kennedy).
BUCCANEERS:- D.Colgan; T.Shine, O.Burgess, T.Cotton, R.Murphy-Sweeney; G.McDonald, A.Bouwens; A.Cooper, O.Dolan, C.Byrne; S.Meecham (captain), C.Sheehan; P.Egan, D.Donovan and J.Crampton. Replacements:- S.Tan (for Burgess, 34 mins), H.Hughes (for Shine, h/t), R.O’Meara (for Byrne, 55 mins), S.Glennon (for Dolan, 55 mins), C.Byrne (for O’Meara, blood, 62 mins), O.Burgess (for Hughes, 67 mins), R.O’Meara (for Byrne, 67 mins) and J.Kelly (for Cooper, 71 mins).
Referee:- Fergal Brislane (IRFU).
