BUCCANEERS THIRDS 41 BALLINASLOE SECONDS 23
BUCCANEERS THIRDS captured the Bank of Ireland Ard-Na-Cregg Cup when they defeated neighbours Ballinasloe 41-23 in the final in Corinthian Park, Galway, on Sunday. Buccaneers had to call upon a number of their young Buccs and they complimented these with some former stalwarts to create what worked out to be an effective combination of youth and experience.
Ballinasloe had first benefit of the breeze and they made a lightning start, dominating play before ending a move involving many phases with a try in the corner in the 8th minute. They continued to take the game to Buccaneers but somewhat against the run of play the Athlone side scored a try out wide with Tadhg Trainor getting the touchdown. Buccs took the lead with a superb conversion from player of the match Richie Greene.
Ballinasloe continued to set the pace and were unlucky when they knocked on with the line at their mercy. However, it was not long before they ended a neat backline move with a second try which they again failed to convert. By now Buccs were growing to the task, and the power of their pack began to tell as Ballinasloe were reduced to 14 men following a late tackle. Ruairi Byrne was dominating in the lineout and a mighty surge from a well-constructed maul saw them drive towards the opposition line. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try when the maul was brought down as Buccs were about to ground the ball over the line to regain the lead 14-10.
Ballinasloe went back on the offensive and, when the Pirates played the ball in an offside position, they reduced the lead to a single point from the resultant penalty. Half time saw Buccs hold a slender advantage at 14-13 but vitally they would have the benefit of the breeze in the second half.
4 minutes after the change of ends Greene stepped up and drove over a penalty to extend the lead to 4 points. Declan Brady was sprung from the bench and made an immediate impact with a try out wide which Greene was unable to convert. Buccs were now in total control and Kailin Blessing added the finishing touch to another prolonged passage of play to notch their fourth try. Greene was on the mark on this occasion to stretch the lead to 29-13 and it appeared that there was no way back for Ballinasloe.
By now the youth and experience was gelling and Adam Flanagan finished powerfully, leaving a simple task for Greene with the conversion of this try. The lead now stood at 36-13. In a rare lapse in the second half the Pirates conceded a soft try in the corner with the conversion going wide.
Buccs emptied the bench and Sean Flynn saw yellow following what seemed a harsh punishment for a high tackle. Even down to 14 Buccs pressed on and fittingly Greene scored in the corner leaving the conversion to Flanagan who was unable to convert from the touchline. Ballinasloe who also emptied their bench finished strongly and were rewarded with the final score of the game which they were again unable to convert. The game fizzled out with the Pirates again in control to leave the final score at 41-23 in favour of the Athlone team.
After a finely balanced first 40 minutes, Buccs were seen at their best in the third quarter when they put the game to bed scoring 22 unanswered points. Blessing and captain Kyle Byrne led from the front and Ruairi Byrne lorded the lineouts with the Buccs back row dominating and tearing Ballinasloe apart. Veteran Shane Layden provided stability in midfield while Flanagan and man of the match Greene were the other backs to shine.
Congratulations to the backroom team who cajoled some familiar faces back into a Buccs jersey and infused a sprinkling of the youth to provide the perfect mix for this success. Paul Byrne, Eoin Slevin and the rest of the crew can take a bow.
Hopefully this side will take heart from the win and a Thirds team will feature from the beginning of next season. However, the squad will enjoy this success which brings the curtain down on a season of renewed hope for Buccs with the emergence of greater playing numbers at all levels, the return of a Senior women’s side and a very talented crop of boys and girls from U-20 right down to the flourishing mini section.
BUCCANEERS:- A. Flanagan; T.Trainor, D. Griffiths, S. Layden, R. Greene; G.Fallon, R Costello; K. Blessing, R. Grenham, C. Malone; R. Byrne, M. Moore; C. Walsh, E. Galvin and K. Byrne (capt). Replacements:- S Flynn, N Harney, M. Staunton, D. Brady, L Callinan, K. Connolly, D. Wilson, J. Smyth, E. Griffith, R.Wilson, N. So and K Boviz.
BALLINASLOE:- D.Collier; H.Killeen, F.Galbarczyk, James Carry, K.Wieczorek; Joseph Carry, C.Waters; J.Burns, M.Kelly, C.Smyth; C.Harewood, N.Staunton; D.Nott, G.Markham and T.Finn. Replacements:- D.Sposob, A.Piskorski, E.Albert, H.Reynolds, S.Holland, J.Gibbons, B.Doyle, E.Whyte, C.Cahill-Sheppard and P.Cawley.
Referee:- Jamie Coyle (Connacht).
