MU BARNHALL 76 BUCCANEERS 21
MU BARNHALL, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, showed that they will clearly be in the hunt this time around when they recorded an emphatic 76-21 victory over Buccaneers in their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A fixture at Parsonstown on Saturday. The Blues hit the ground running and were 17-0 to the good after only 10 minutes, leaving the Pirates trailing in their wake thereafter, and their win puts them on top of the league table.
Centre Corey Reid made his first start in a number of seasons and fit again Orrin Burgess also lined out in the three-quarters line for the midlanders. Injuries resulted in tweaks in the pack with Ryan O’Meara switched to the front row and where Lucca d’Ambola Riera, Jack Crampton and Joaquin del Olmo all made first AIL starts. MU Barnhall fielded a much more settled and experienced side with their only change being Abdul Olaosebikan for Ciaran Purcell in the pack.
Olaosebikan swiftly announced his presence with a third minute try following early home pressure and, just two minutes later, an unlucky bounce deceived the visitors’ defence with Conor Duggan taking advantage for their second try. Adam Chester converted both tries before landing a penalty and then converting Darragh Bellanova’s 21st minute try to take full command of the proceedings. Dan Murphy’s try three minutes later secured the bonus point for the Blues who were now 31-0 ahead.
Buccs then displayed some good interplay between backs and forwards with Crampton, Fergus Galvin, d’Ambola, Burgess and Frank Hopkins involved which was rewarded by Reid’s strong carry earning him a try converted by Adam O’Carroll. MU Barnhall responded with a try by Sean Sexton although it appeared that the winger knocked on rather than touched down. In the final move of the half, the Leinster side mauled over for a Cathal Duff try following a lineout. Chester, on his 100th appearance, converted both for a very comfortable 45-7 lead at the break.
Tom Shine replaced the injured Reid and teenager Patrick Egan came on for d’Ambola for the second period. MU Barnhall gathered a defensive box kick from the restart and Sexton ran in for a soft try. Buccs replied with a great break from the base of a scrum near halfway by Hopkins and the Pirates skipper went all the way for a 48th minute try converted by O’Carroll. Shortly afterwards, Buccs were held up over the home line with the scoreboard now reading 55-14.
Sexton intercepted to score his third try for the Blues but then the hosts had a bit of wobble with two players yellow carded in quick succession near the three-quarters stage. A solid Buccs scrum provided the platform for Hopkins to pick and go to secure his second try. O’Carroll’s conversion narrowed the arrears to 62-21 with 18 minutes remaining.
But Buccs difficulties at restarts continued and MU Barnhall punished them with a Chester try while Crampton then spent ten minutes in the sin bin during which the home side notched their eleventh try, a fourth of the game for Sexton, to complete a hefty 76-21 defeat for the visitors.
Hopkins led from the front for Buccaneers but an ankle injury incurred late in the game is a real worry for his side. Young Crampton carried strongly, d’Ambola Riera did well in the lineouts and Reece Henderson solidified the scrum when introduced. Olaosebekin was MU Barnhall’s most impressive performer with prop Bellanova also prominent. Sexton and centurion Chester were their most dangerous backs.
MU BARNHALL:- C.Duggan; S.Sexton, M.Grogan, N.Dockett, C.Lacey; A.Chester, D.Kelly; K.Farrell, C.Duff (captain), D.Bellanova; L.Callinan, D.Murphy; S.Stokes, A.Olaosebikan and E.Kelly. Replacements used:- S.Hopkins, J.Castles, S.Callinan, R.Holt and J.Gorham.
BUCCANEERS:- J.Nagle; R.Murphy-Sweeney, C.Reid, R.Teape, O.Burgess; A.O’Carroll, F.Hopkins (captain); J.Kelly, D.Bolger, R.O’Meara; J.del Olmo, F.Galvin; L.d’Ambola Riera, C.Walsh and J.Crampton. Replacements used:- C.Daly, R.Henderson, P.Egan, T.Shine and A.Flanagan.
