BUCCANEERS THIRDS 13 WESTPORT SECONDS 12
BUCCANEERS THIRDS advanced to the final of the Bank of Ireland Ard-Na-Cregg Cup by virtue of a narrow 13-12 victory over Westport Seconds played in near ideal conditions at Dubarry Park on Sunday. Fielding a mix of U-20s and veterans, Buccs lasted the pace well in a game where scoring opportunities were at a premium.
In the pleasant sunny weather, a motley crew of Pirates enjoyed the majority of territory and possession against the visitors who had played far more games this season and were expected to dominate. However, Buccs took the game to the Bulls and their early pressure yielded a 15th minute Richie Greene penalty.
But Buccaneers could not add to their tally and Westport scored a soft 31st minute try by Emmet Aylward, missed tackles helping the centre touchdown against the run of play. Cillian McKeown’s conversion gave the Mayo men a 7-3 lead at halftime.
Following the change of ends, the Shannonsiders generally forced the pace and regained the lead after Declan Brady’s surge earned a penalty which was tapped smartly by Kyle Byrne and the young skipper got over the line on 56 minutes.
Westport got their noses back in front on 64 minutes courtesy of a pushover try by Jake Cleary but Buccs retort was instant. Kyle Byrne won a lineout two minutes later close to The Bounty corner and the pack drove over enabling Rory Grenham to touch down. Greene’s conversion went wide via an upright and a long-range penalty dipped under the crossbar so Buccs had to dig deep to protect their single point margin.
This they did, displaying composure and discipline, to forge a narrow but fully deserved victory and now face a derby showdown against Ballinasloe Seconds in the final on the May Bank holiday Sunday at Corinthian Park, Galway. Cathal Walsh did a lot of hard work in the forwards exchanges for the winners for whom Ruairi Byrne lorded the lineouts. Greene was busy in a backs unit well controlled by Gerard Fallon.
BUCCANEERS THIRDS:- R.Greene; T.Trainor, S.Byrne, C.Kelly, M.Turner; G.Fallon, R.Costello; K.Blessing, R.Grenham, C.Malone; R.Byrne, M.Moore; L.Callinan, C.Walsh and K.Byrne (captain). Replacements:- S.Flynn, K.Connolly, N.Harney, D.Brady, D.Wilson, R.Wilson, J.Smyth, N.So, A.Flanagan and E.Griffith.
WESTPORT SECONDS:- J.McNamara; C.McNamara, N.Brady, E.Aylward, D.Herterich; C.McKeown, A.Walsh; J.Kennedy, N.Prendergast, A.Heraty; A.Swanton, D.O’Connor; R.M.Duffy, K.Hastings and K.Gill. Replacements:- C.Gavin, J.Cleary, C.Duffy, D.Keane, B.Conlon, S.Treacy, M.McIntyre, D.Ring, L.Scahill and A.Duffy.
Referee:- Cian Hough (Connacht).
