THOMOND 24 BUCCANEERS 26
Putting in a committed and sustained squad performance that was in total contrast to the previous week’s debacle at Midleton, Buccaneers scored a dramatic but deserved 26-24 win over Thomond at Liam Fitzgerald Park, Limerick, on Saturday. On a bright, breezy afternoon both teams served up a most entertaining contest that went right to the wire when Jack Quinn’s penalty, with the final act of an absorbing duel, earned victory for the Pirates in this Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South third round fixture.
Buccs made 6 changes, with Conor Sheehan and Dylan Quinn joining the injury list with Charlie Byrne and Oisin Dolan starting in the pack. The midlanders backline was much changed and realigned. Here Corey Reid and Darragh Glennon returned after injury with Orrin Burgess starting on the left wing and Danny Reid debuting at fullback. Jack Quinn was sited in his best position at flyhalf. Thomond had 3 changes from their comprehensive win away to Enniscorthy. Jake Connolly started in the centre with substitutes from last week Eoin McCormack and Kealon McMahon preferred in the back row.
The homesters had first benefit of the strong, slightly diagonal breeze but Buccs were settling in well when Corey Reid, repeating his error against Bruff, tried another impulsive floated pass against the elements and the division’s top try scorer Sam Birrane picked it off to race away for a 6th minute try converted by Evan Cusack.
The midlanders suffered another setback when a hamstring injury forced Ryan O’Meara off after 18 minutes and he was replaced by debutant Matthew Zander. Buccs put several phases together but were unable to breach the home defence while Thomond made the most of territory following a penalty to the left. Good lineout ball was won and the Munster side mauled their way over the visitors’ line for a 28th minute Colin Slater try converted by Cusack.
But in the face of adversity, Buccs showed greater mettle on this occasion. From the restart Leo MacFarlane forced a turnover penalty which Zander promptly tapped and the 20-year-old powered through a number of defenders to make an immediate impact on his debut as he dived over the home line for a 30th minute unconverted try.
Buccaneers were very much in the contest and applied fierce pressure in the closing stages of the half that tempted Birrane to make a deliberate knock-on that earned the winger 10 minutes in the sin bin. Buccs pinned the hosts inside their 22 and were rewarded when this composed and continuous spell saw skipper James Kelly burrow over for a try to the right of the uprights. Quinn’s conversion, the final act of the half, reduced Buccaneers arrears to 14-12 at the interval.
Thomond restarted with a new trio in their pack but the midlanders exerted growing pressure, a series of pick and goes edging them deeper into home territory. Then with a change of direction, the ball was moved smartly to Conor Dowling and the young winger sped over for a 51st minute try near the left corner flag to give his side a 17-14 lead. 3 minutes later Quinn added a 45 metre penalty.
Thomond regained the lead on the hour mark, helped by a couple of penalties to the clubhouse corner from where McMahon finished off for a try converted by Cusack. Zander’s high-fielding gathered the restart and Buccs forced another penalty 38 metres out. Quinn duly slotted it over to nose his team back in front and he was unlucky with another long-range effort shortly afterwards.
4 minutes from time, it looked like a Thomond player did not release in the tackle but a penalty was harshly awarded against Buccaneers. Cusack drilled over the touchline kick that looked like earning the spoils for his side, now 24-23 ahead.
But Buccs were not to be denied and they quickly won possession after the restart to go through multiple phases for several minutes, displaying commendable handling and support play. Thomond defended defiantly as Buccs edged ever closer, one way and then the other, to their line with Cathal Walsh almost getting over. Eventually, McCormack obstructed from offside to incur a yellow card and Quinn cooly tapped over the resultant penalty to earn a gripping 26-24 victory.
This overall organised display and desire was in total contrast to the previous week’s abysmal effort and indeed to the second half against Bruff. It was a true team contribution with everyone making their mark and rising to the challenges posed by a hard-working Thomond side. Self-belief and energy will surely be restored with Buccs moving off the bottom of the league table. Charlie Byrne was Buccs outstanding performer and the slight figure of Quinn was assured at standoff while the aggressive Zander looks like he has plenty to offer. Walsh and MacFarlane also impressed.
THOMOND:- A.Guerin; E.O’Connor, J.Connolly, L.Fitzgerald, S.Birrane; E.Cusack (captain), A.Rice; R.Burke, C.Slater, J.Walsh; E.Foley, J.Bailey; R.O’Dwyer, K.McMahon and E.McCormack. Replacements used:- D.O’Halloran (for McCormack, 37 mins), S.Mainavolau (for Walsh, h/t), J.Costelloe (for Foley, h/t), S.Kelly (for O’Dwyer, h/t) and S.Rice.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Reid; C.Dowling, D.Glennon, C.Reid, O.Burgess; J.Quinn,
L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly (captain), S.Glennon, C.Byrne; R.O’Meara, C.Walsh; O.Dolan, L.Balsiger and N.Tallon. Replacements:- M.Zander (for O’Meara, inj. 18 mins), K.Blessing (for Kelly, h/t), T.Sheehan (for Burgess, 55 mins), R.Murphy-Sweeney (for D.Reid, 60 mins), J.Kelly (for Byrne, 67 mins), C.Byrne (for Kelly, 74 mins) and D.Bolger (for Tallon, 74 mins).
Referee:- Ross Shaughnessy (IRFU).
