BUCCANEERS 27 DOLPHIN 12
Recording both their first home win and back-to-back victories of the season, Buccaneers defeated Dolphin 27-12 in their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South game played at Dubarry Park on Saturday. The bonus point deserved win moves Buccs up to mid table while the Corkonians returned south empty-handed.
The Pirates made just one change from the side that scored an exciting win at Monkstown. Busy U-20 Sean Glennon was rested, Oisin Dolan switched to hooker and Dylan Bolger came in at blindside flanker. Dolphin made sweeping changes following their heavy home defeat to Midleton; 8 in total, 5 in their pack and 3 in the backline.
On a mild, fine afternoon the homesters were swiftly into their stride and opened the scoring after just 4 minutes. A penalty to the left brought them close to the visitors’ line and, after good lineout possession was won, Ross Murphy-Sweeney darted over at the corner flag. Jack Quinn added a sweet conversion for a 7-0 lead.
On 11 minutes a thumping Darragh Glennon tackle turned possession over and Andrew Henson swooped on the ball but his clever chip over the defence bounced away from him. 3 minutes later a high tackle on Conor Dowling earned a penalty which Leo MacFarlane punted to the left from where the midlanders launched a couple of salvos towards the Munster side’s line. Matthew Zander was held up just short but Luke Balsiger was on hand to finish the attack for a try near the uprights, making Quinn’s conversion a formality to double the lead.
The score of the game followed on 22 minutes and stemmed from a solid scrum on Buccs 10-metre line. Glennon surged forward, linked with the supporting Henson who sent Dowling racing away for an unconverted try and a 19-0 advantage.
Buccs concentration nodded off a few minutes later and, following a tapped penalty, Ryan Foley got in for a Dolphin try converted by Conor Mulvihill. Buccs retorted with another excellently worked touchdown, fashioned by some sublime handling with Murphy-Sweeney applying the finishing touch to this bonus point try that gave Buccaneers a 24-7 interval lead.
Dolphin had more intent following the change of ends and were rewarded with a 42nd minute pushover try by Charlie O’Callaghan after a penalty had brought them close to the midlanders’ line. But, thereafter, they were unable to breach resilient and disciplined defending by the Shannonsiders.
The third quarter was a bit stop/start due to quite a number of scrums and resets. Buccs came closest to adding to the try tally, substitute Glennon’s break bringing him to Dolphin line where he untypically lost control of the ball. Niall Tallon made a number of strong carries too that on another day could have yielded scores while a final quarter flowing move looked sure to gain reward but was spoiled a marginally forward pass when Dolphin’s Diarmuid Keogh was in the sin bin following a high tackle.
Buccaneers were good value for their 27-12 victory that had many similarities to the win at Monkstown. Impressive attacking play in the first half with some splendid handling and score-taking that yielded 4 tries. Much improved tackling and defensive resolve was then displayed after the interval when a solitary penalty was the Pirates only reward for their sustained endeavours.
Again it was a strong all-round squad contribution in which Cathal Walsh’s lack of stature at lock did not prevent his industry earning him a worthy ‘man of the match’ accolade. Tallon also excelled in a hard-working and cohesive pack while centres Rourke O’Sullivan and Glennon were standouts in the backs unit as youthful Buccaneers begin to build some momentum.
BUCCANEERS:- A.Henson; C.Dowling, R.O’Sullivan, D.Glennon, R.Murphy-Sweeney; J.Quinn, L.MacFarlane; J.Kelly (captain), O.Dolan, D.Quinn; C.Walsh, M.Zander; D.Bolger, L.Balsiger and N.Tallon. Replacements:- A.Bouwens (for Henson, h/t), O.Burgess (for Murphy-Sweeney, 45 mins), K.Blessing (for Kelly, blood sub, 46 mins), S.Glennon (for Bolger, 48 mins), A.Henson (for Bouwens, 50 mins), J.Kelly (for D.Quinn, 56 mins), R.Murphy-Sweeney (for Dowling, 60 mins), F.Galbarcyzk (for Dolan, 70 mins) and A.Bouwens (for MacFarlane, 70 mins).
DOLPHIN:- C.O’Shaughnessy (captain); C.Culleton, S.Boyle, C.Taylor, D.Buckley; C.Mulvihill, R.Foley; R.Og Doody, C.O’Callaghan, D.Byrne; D.Keogh, D.O’Mahony; P.Elwood, C.Drummy and J.Winters. Replacements:- F.Herlihy (for Culleton, 55 mins), J.Fox (for Og Doody, 55 mins), R.O’Donoghue (for Foley, 58 mins), D.Lynch (for Drummy, 58 mins), D.Noonan (for Byrne, 70 mins), C.Drummy (for Keogh, 70 mins), D.Keogh (for Elwood, 74 mins) and R.Foley (for Taylor, 74 mins).
Referee:- Shane Touhy (IRFU).
