BUCCANEERS SECONDS 5 CREGGS 66
On a bitterly cold Saturday night, Creggs proved too hot for Buccaneers Seconds as they cruised to a 66-5 Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League victory under the Dubarry Park floodlights. Due to no power at The Green, this fixture was switched to the Athlone venue but home advantage was of little benefit to the Pirates as the border county club took early control of the proceedings.
Buccs found it difficult to contain a lively and enterprising Creggs backline backboned by Dowds and Purcells. Ronan Dowd opened the scoring after just 4 minutes and his chip over the cover six minutes later sent Shane Dowd in for a try. Shane Purcell converted both before touching down himself at the end of the opening quarter at which stage Creggs led 19-0.
The bonus point try arrived shortly afterwards, left winger Ronan Dowd’s pace following a loose clearance enabling a third Dowd – Mark — to get on the scoresheet. Ronan Dowd then notched his second before Brian Diffley showed a deceptive turn of pace to romp in from halfway for Creggs only try scored by a forward! Outhalf Purcell converted these last three tries to stretch his side’s advantage to a handsome 40-0 at halftime.
Buccs fared much better following the change of ends and were held up over the line early in the second half while Darren Gately scored a length of field try for Creggs after they had withstood strong pressure by the hosts. The Pirates improved efforts yielded an unconverted Cormac McDonagh try on 54 minutes shortly after Creggs sub Danny Arnold was yellow-carded.
Replacements Cormac Dolan and Gately grabbed tries for Creggs with Eoghan Coyle scoring their tenth touchdown. Buccs battled bravely but could not apply the finishing touch on a number of occasions with Joaquin del Olmo denied a try due to a double movement. Further Purcell conversions completed Creggs 66-5 victory as they continue their bid to make it three titles in a row. Their handling was slick while Buccs could not match their pace or fitness levels and the homesters were not helped by a misfiring lineout when in promising situations.
BUCCANEERS:- R.Greene; C.Rooney-Digan, C.McDonagh, A.Flanagan, J.Rosney; E.Joyce-Whyte, G.Fallon; D.Bolger, C.Brill, C.Byrne; F.McDonnell, S.Fogarty; C.Morrissey, G.Catarino and L.Balsiger. Replacements:– J.del Olmo (for Flanagan, inj. 32 mins), J.Brady (for Brill, h/t), C.Brill (for Fogarty, 60 mins) and S.Flynn.
CREGGS:- S.Dowd; M.Dunne, M.Purcell, E.Coyle, R.Dowd; S.Purcell, M.Dowd; T.Farrell, K.Kiripati, E.Cahill; C.Purcell, X.Woodhouse; R.Cahill, J.Brandon (captain) and B.Diffley. Replacements used:- D.Arnold, M.Curley, L.Kilcoyne, D.Gately and C.Dolan.
Referee:- Michael Honan (Connacht).