BUCCANEERS J1A’s are finding the going really tough and succumbed to a heavy 38-5 home defeat to Tuam in the Connacht Junior 1A League match played under floodlights at Dubarry Park on Saturday night. Buccs defence was outstanding in the first half led by Andrew McAleer with many big tackles. The Pirates opened the scoring with a super individual effort by Callum Forde from inside his own 22. But just before halftime, Tuam picked up a ball that popped out from a Buccs scrum and, one ruck later after a poor missed tackle, the visitors drew level 5-5 at the break.
Losing James Kelly, Jack Scoular and Eoghan O’Toole to injury by halftime led to a different story after the change of ends. This weakened the home scrum and lineout and Tuam availed to run in six tries, helped by two yellow cards to the homesters. Regardless of the enforced changes, the standard of defence overall is well below par and discipline must also improve.
BUCCANEERS:- G.Fallon; R.Murphy-Sweeney, R.Teape, A.McAleer, C.Forde; E.O’Toole, C.Loughrey; J.Kelly, R.Grenham, M.Murphy; J.Scouler, C.Harewood; L.Donnelly, R.Enraght-Moony (captain) and D.Touhy. Replacements:- E.Fuenmayor, G.O’Toole, D.McNamara, P.Daly and K.Foxe.
