UNDER-17s win Connacht League title
BUCCANEERS 19 CORINTHIANS 16
Buccaneers boys U-17s team concluded another successful Bank of Ireland Connacht League campaign in fine style with a win against a strong Corinthians side in the Division 1 League Final at Monivea RFC under lights on Sunday afternoon. Well worked team tries finished off by Ruairi Dolan and Hugo Hannon, plus 3 penalties in windy conditions from outhalf Dolan saw the game finish 19-16 to Buccaneers.
A very physical contest from evenly matched teams was enjoyed by a large crowd of travelling supporters from both sides. Two penalty kicks from Dolan saw Buccs leading 6-0 with 20 minutes played before a Corinthians penalty closed the gap 5 minutes later. Dolan then touched down for a try leaving himself with a difficult conversion from close to the touch line which fell just short to leave Buccs 11-3 to the good at half time.
Buccaneers number 10 slotted his third penalty early in the second period to stretch the lead before Corinthians closed the gap to 14-6 with a penalty of their own 4 minutes later. A well worked Buccaneers team try featuring good interplay between forwards and backs touched down by flanker Hannon 10 minutes later extended their lead to 19-6, with another difficult conversion in the strong cross wind drifting across the face of the posts.
With just over 20 minutes to play Corinthians fought hard to get back into the game in the face of an extremely physical Buccaneers defence and a penalty kick shortly after brought it to 19-9. A converted Corinthians try saw the game delicately poised at 19-16 with just over 10 minutes to play making for a nail-biting end to a cracking game of rugby.
Fortunately, a resolute Buccaneers team held Corinthians scoreless for the remainder while playing into driving rain and defending for long periods inside their own 22 to finish out 19-16 winners in a thoroughly enjoyable and hard-fought contest.
Each and every member of the 25 strong panel has played a crucial role in the various matches in winning their third League title in the last four years. The team are now looking forward to their Cup campaign and the chance to do the double, having won the Connacht Cup for the last three seasons running.
Paul Casserly, Chairperson of the Connacht Club and Community Rugby Committee presented the Shield to co-captains Oisin McLoughlin and Ciaran West.
BUCCANEERS:- J.Paul; S.Nugent, P.Finnan, O.O’Donoghue, A.Connor; R.Dolan, O.Egan; J.Ryan, J.Kelly, C.West; E.Claffey, P.Bourke; N.Kelly, H.Hannon and R.Colleran. Replacements:- E.O’Sullivan, D.Cleary, N.Duffy, A.Cotton, A.Milik, J.Okegbenro, A.Brown, T.Coleman and L.Leshona.
Referee:- Kevin Bolger (Connacht)
