BLACKROCK COLLEGE 36 BUCCANEERS 17
BUCCANEERS U-20s went down 36-17 to Blackrock College in their “Super Six” J.P.Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 fixture played on a good day for running rugby at Stradbrook on Sunday. The final scoreline did not truly reflect how the game played out as Buccs ruled possession in the opening half before a flu bug in their squad caused them to run out of steam in the closing stages.
Thomas Cotton was unavailable for this test while the midlanders had to rejig their front row, where Sean Rohan returned at hooker, with Sean Doyle crying off just before kick-off. Abu Saka moved to the front row with Neil Botes coming into the backrow. An early injury to Donnacha Connolly saw Lorcan McCormack come into the side.
Nevertheless, they took the game to the hosts from the kick-off but a lack of concentration allowed Rock in for a blindside try by their right winger after 17 minutes. On the half-hour mark, the homesters capitalised on a poor kick to score their second converted try.
Buccs pack was applying continuous pressure and eventually forced some reward with Tom Sheehan scoring a 36th minute try. Charlie O’Carroll converted and landed a penalty before half-time to narrow the arrears to 14-10. Buccs lost Niall Tallon and James Dillon due to flu with Eoin Murtagh and Gerogio Racca coming on for the second half.
Ten minutes into the second half Rock’s left winger scored a try out wide and then they added another, getting away with a knock-on, Both touchdowns were converted to stretch their lead to 28-10. Sheehan notched his second try following a chip and chase with O’Carroll adding the conversion on 65 minutes.
Evan McMickan, Daniel Martin and Luca Giles all joined the action around the hour mark. Blackrock added a penalty and try in the closing stages as influenza took its toll on the depleted Pirates, who had battled valiantly. Tallon was a huge loss while Patrick Egan carried strongly, Saka and Bobby Foxe put in honest shifts while Tom Sheehan (on one leg!) was masterful. A gallant performance from all the players and they will benefit from this experience.
Their next game is a Scallon Cup fixture away to Enniskillen in early January.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Duffy; D.Connolly, C.Kelly, T.Sheehan, L.Cassidy; J.Clarke, C.O’Carroll; A.Saka, S.Rohan, B.Foxe; J.Dillon, C.Sheehan (captain); N.Botes, P.Egan and N.Tallon. Replacments:- E.McMickan, D.Martin, S.Doyle, E.Murtagh, G.Racca, L.Giles and L.McCormack.
Referee:- Ruaidhri O’Hanlon (Leinster).
