CORRIB 12 BUCCANEERS 26
BUCCANEERS SECONDS eased to a comfortable 26-12 victory over Corrib in their Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1B League match at Headford on Sunday. Buccs were on top from start to finish and should really have recorded a more clearcut winning margin. Apart from some showers, weather and pitch conditions were fine at the Co. Galway ground.
Two players who have overcome injury problems, Tom Shine and Sam Fogarty, got Buccs on their way with first half tries. John Why converted both to put the Athlone side 14-0 to the good at the interval. A brilliant Ross Murphy-Sweeney break initiated further enterprising backs play which was finished by Harry Balsiger for the score of the match. Why’s third conversion stretched the advantage to 21-0.
Buccs scrum was very good throughout and their lineout worked well while the backs looked dangerous when they spread the ball. A converted try reduced Corrib’s arrears before Conor Morrissey’s unconverted try secured a bonus point. The Athlonians became sloppy in the closing stages, leaving some scores behind them, and they also conceded a late try to the homesters.
Murphy-Sweeney was the outstanding performer on the day and Jensen Nagle was also lively in an enterprising backs unit. Sean Flynn rewarded his late call-up with a solid showing in the pack where Martin Staunton was a late substitution.
CORRIB:- T.Newell; J.Toher, S.Casey, J.Walsh, D.Conneely; E.Flynn, I.Kelly; J.Gannon, P.Mannion, P.Garvey; P.Loughlin, S.Walsh; G.Walsh, M.Lee and E.McHugh. Replacements:- J.Higgins, M.Mannion, E.Stiffe, T.Smith and D.Cunningham.
BUCCANEERS:- J.Nagle; H.Balsiger, R.Murphy-Sweeney, T.Shine, H.Hughes; J.Why, G.Fallon; A.M.Obono, C.Morrissey (captain), S.Flynn; C.O’Grady, S.Fogarty; C.Daly, L.Doyle and L.Balsiger. Replacements:- M.Staunton, R.Keighery-Farley, R.Greene and S.Sullivan.
Referee:- Christian Short (Connacht).
