GALWAY CORINTHIANS 30 BUCCANEERS 0
BUCCANEERS U-16s returned to Loughrea for the replay of the Bank of Ireland Connacht League final which they drew 10 all with Corinthians last week. But, as sometimes happens in replays, one team steps up while the other underperforms and so it was on Saturday as the Galway boys scored a 30-0 victory.
Buccs were on a seven-match unbeaten run but never really got out of the traps, not helped by having to rejig their backline just before kick-off due to an injury in the warm-up. Behind 17-0 at half-time they were still in the game with the wind at their backs for the second half. However, try as they might they could not cross the Corinthians line and it was the Galway side who scored late in the game to confirm victory.
Buccs are the only team to have beaten Corinthians in three and a half years but will need to learn valuable lessons if they are going to repeat the victory if they meet in the Cup. Nevertheless, this Buccs outfit has developed and progressed since the start of the season. Further improvement after Christmas should ensure a good Cup run.
Sean O’Hara and Niall Robinson were pick of the pack while Cillian Donohue was solid in the backline.
BUCCANEERS:- E.Carr; C.Bertomeu, E.Friel, V.M.Gimenez Rello, C.Donohoe; D.Murray, S.Lowe; T.Herron, C.McCormack, P.D.Sunny; A.Murphy, S.O’Hara; N.Robinson, M.Fallon and B.Rourke. Replacements:- C.Sylla, H.Lowe, A.Costello, J.B.Rodriguez de Lievana, R.O’Connor, S.Ribault, C.Doran and E.Browne.
Referee:- Brian Kelly (Connacht).
