OLD CRESCENT 43 BUCCANEERS 12
BUCCANEERS succumbed to a fifth successive defeat when outscored by a reinvigorated Old Crescent 43-12 in their Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A match at Takumi Park, Limerick, on Saturday. Both teams made changes from suffering heavy losses the previous weekend, but it was the Rosbrien side who got matters right in an already key fixture at this early juncture of the campaign.
Ryan O’Meara was the latest to join Buccs extensive injury list as youthful trio Charlie Byrne, Niall Tallon and Patrick Egan started in the Pirates pack. The Munster outfit made three changes in their backline where Joe McEnery, Brian Molloy and John Hurley started while Oisin Toland (nephew of Liam) returned in the pack. On a firm surface, conditions were quite good with a breeze blowing towards the city favouring the hosts at kick-off.
The luckless Pirates suffered an early setback when their scrum collapsed after just 7 minutes following which injured hooker Oisin Dolan was replaced by Cian Daly. Five minutes later a Dylan Duffy kick was blocked down and Buccs conceded a penalty which the hosts punted to the right. Following the lineout, McEnery got in for an unconverted try.
At the end of the opening quarter, missed tackles contributed to Old Crescent’s second try, Jake Considine being the eventual beneficiary and Hurley adding the conversion. The Limerick side paid dearly for a slow start last week and were ensuring there was going to be no repeat this time as they now led 12-0.
Their ability to suck in defenders and offload yielded a 32nd minute try between the uprights by John Moloney who was the dominant figure at lineouts. The Munster outfit secured their bonus point try in the final move of the half, Niall Hardiman dotting down wide on the left. Hurley converted this pair of tries to stretch Old Crescent’s lead to 26-0 at the interval.
Five minutes into the second half, Adam Flanagan was unlucky that he could not hold on to the ball having snaffled possession from his opposite number before Molloy cut through for a 51st minute home try, with Hurley adding the extras. A poor restart followed from which Old Crescent scored their best try of the game, carving open the Pirates defence with Jamie Duggan applying the finishing touch.
Adding to the midlanders injury concerns, Orrin Burgess then pulled up chasing a Daniel Hawkshaw crossfield kick before Werner Hoffman completed the homesters scoring with a 64th minute try near the right corner and an insurmountable 43-0 advantage.
Three minutes later a fine Buccs maul earned reward when Reece Henderson’s touchdown took the blank look off the scoreboard and Duffy landed the conversion. Buccaneers had rarely threatened the home line in the preceding hour but they finished with more purpose and some promise. A Flanagan chip almost yielded a dividend before Hawkshaw showed commendable strength and desire to notch a try just before the finish that completed the 43-12 scoreline. The centre was Buccs most prominent back while Lucca d’Ambola Riera, Fergus Galvin and Cathal Walsh gave it their all in the forwards exchanges. However, Old Crescent were stronger and sharper when and where it mattered with Moloney, Toland and Yasin Browne dominant in the pack as they finally kick-started their campaign.
OLD CRESCENT:- T.Duggan; J.McEnery, B.Molloy, W.Hoffman, B.Nash; J.Hurley, G.Fitzgerald (captain); E.Creaven, N.Hardiman, J.Considine; J.Moloney, Y.Browne; O.Toland, J.Lyons and J.O’Neill. Replacements:- J.Duggan (for Fitzgerald, h/t), S.Monaghan (for Browne, 47 mins), K.Doyle (for Considine, 58 mins), J.Byrne (for Hardiman, 66 mins) and R.McKenna (for Nash, 66 mins).
BUCCANEERS:- H.Hughes; T.Shine, O.Burgess, D.Hawkshaw, R.Murphy-Sweeney; D.Duffy, A.Flanagan; R.Henderson, O.Dolan, C.Byrne; L.d’Ambola Riera, F.Galvin; P.Egan, C.Walsh (captain) and N.Tallon. Replacements:- C.Daly (for Dolan, inj. 7 mins), S.Fogarty (for Tallon, 58 mins), D.Bolger (for Henderson, 59 mins), D.Colgan (for Flanagan, 59 mins), H.Balsiger (for Burgess, inj. 60 mins), R.Henderson (for Byrne, 64 mins) and A.Flanagan (for Shine, 64 mins).
Referee:- P.Sheehan (IRFU).
