NAAS 28 BUCCANEERS 28
BUCCANEERS and Naas served up a compelling J.P.Fanagan Leinster Premier League Super Six Group One encounter at Forenaughts on Sunday when two well-matched teams could not be separated after a real battle from start to finish. A Patrick Egan try 3 minutes from the end earned Buccs a share of the spoils and, more crucially, a try bonus point that ensured the courageous Pirates retained this Leinster title.
The Athlone side made three changes for this penultimate fixture with Egan and Andrew Henson starting in the backline and Sean Glennon returning at hooker. On a bright but cool afternoon, Naas had first benefit of the breeze and slope but Henson made a bold break from inside his own 22 and evaded a number of tacklers before linking with Egan whose off-load to Kyle Barrett enabled the winger to dot down for a try inside the opening 50 seconds. Dylan Duffy added a fine conversion from wide on the left.
But Naas were level within 5 minutes, Jason Cutler showing good desire to get in for a try converted by Jack Osborne. Buccs continued to break forward and a poor tackle halted Abu Saka’s progress on 10 minutes forcing the Pirates No.8 off to be replaced by Niall Tallon. Their pressure was rewarded when Elliott Rooney-Digan powered his way over the home line for 19th minute try converted by Duffy.
Injuries to Danny Reid and Dylan Duffy discommoded Buccaneers for a spell and Henson had to get his timing exactly right with a covering tackle to deny Naas scoring. But their reorganised defence was breached when Joshua Ward got in for a 30th minute try. Then 3 minutes later a long kick ahead that somehow did not go dead caused discomfort for Buccs as Charlie Croke punished a loose clearance to score wide on the left to give Naas the lead.
Another long kick ahead again caught the midlanders out as Naas won the race to touchdown wide on the left for their bonus point try. Outhalf Osborne, the latest of that family name to catch the eye, maintained his impressive place-kicking to give the hosts a 28-14 lead at half-time.
Buccs further tweaked their side for the second period with Rooney-Digan and Henson (withdrawn due to Ireland protocols as he recovers from injury) being replaced by Kailin Blessing and Saka with Evan McMickan switching to fullback and Barrett moving to scrumhalf. The Pirates made a quick inroad into their deficit following a 44th minute penalty to the right and Sean Glennon’s strong carry yielded a try converted by Jack Quinn.
Buccs enjoyed the majority of territory but lacked that extra bit of accuracy to unlock steadfast Naas defending as the exchanges heated up. Naas also had their moments but the Shannonsiders defence was equally impenetrable. But Buccaneers never-say-die attitude was rewarded in a rousing finale. Cometh the hour, cometh the man … and who else but Egan to finish off persistent pressure and surge over the home line for a try wide on the left. Substitute Quinn was the coolest man at the ground when he slotted over a challenging conversion to secure the 28-28 draw.
While it was not an actual final, the game was worthy of deciding the destiny of the league title. This was a stirring performance by Buccs, not always perfect but displaying the character and commitment that they have shown throughout the season to find their way to getting the desired result. Egan in the centre was relentless in his endeavours as was lock Conor Spellman in a really testing tie as the three points secured ensure that Buccaneers retain this title with a game to play.
Congratulations to all the players in the squad and to the coaching team headed by Patsy Gorman. Buccaneers will play their final fixture at home to UCD on Sunday next, kick-off 3 p.m., when the trophy will be presented to the club.
NAAS:- J.McGuirk; L.Malone, J.Kehoe, D.Culligan, C.Croke; J.Osborne, S.McCafferty; C.O’Loughlin, J.Breen, S.O’Loughlin; R.Scully, J.Cutler; C.Butler, P.Forde and J.Ward. Replacements used:- P.Clear, P.Quinn, J.Murphy, J.Smith, D.Brownen and R.Ahearne.
BUCCANEERS:- A.Henson; K.Barrett, G.Murphy, P.Egan, D.Reid; D.Duffy, C.Dowling; E.Rooney-Digan, S.Glennon, A.Oates; C.Spellman, L.Anic; S.Rohan (captain), E.McMickan and A.Saka. Replacements:- N.Tallon (for Saka, 10 mins), J.Quinn (for Reid, 23 mins), R.Duffy (for Oates, 23 mins), T.Trainor (for D.Duffy, 27 mins), A.Saka (for Henson, h/t), K.Blessing (for Rooney-Digan, h/t), A.Oates (for R.Duffy, 56 mins), E.McLaughlin (for Rohan, 63 mins) and M.Turner (for Trainor.)
Referee:- Michael Kirk (Leinster).
