BUCCANEERS 3 BALLINASLOE 24
On a cool breezy Saturday night, Ballinasloe proved too strong for Buccaneers Seconds in their Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League derby at Dubarry Park where our neighbours were worthy winners 24-3.
Ballinasloe opened the scoring when Andrew Mannion finished off an early counter-attack but Buccs replied with a fine Fergal Lennon penalty. A late tackle by Jack Codyre on Michael Egan saw the visiting lock sin-binned. But the east Galway added to their tally just before the interval when Seamus Egan burst up the left flank for a try and a 10-3 advantage at half-time.
The impressive Kyle Blackweir touched down early in the second half for the visitors who sustained a second yellow card for another high tackle, this time by Shane Fitzpatrick. Ballinasloe secured a late bonus point try by the wily John Hayes. Aaron McGreal converted both second half tries in their 24-3 win while the margin did not do full justice to Buccs.
BUCCANEERS:- H.Hughes; J.Rosney, K.Foxe, F.Lennon, J.Dowd; S.Tan, M.Egan; J.Kelly, C.Daly, O.Donoghue; C.McKinney, F.Murray; R.Byrne, C.Walsh and J.Crampton. Replacements:- A.M.Abono (for Kelly), P.Malassou (for Rosney) and R.Greene.
BALLINASLOE:- A.Mannion; S.Power, K.Blackweir, J.Hayes, S.Fitzpatrick; C.Goode, Aaron Greal; L.Feehily, J.Curley, K.Gorman; B.Feeney, J.Codyre; P.Finn, S.Egan and S.Grenham. Replacements:- M.Kelly, C.Smyth, P.Grehan, Adam McGreal and C.Finn.
Referee:- Andrew Fogarty (Connacht).
