TUAM 21 BUCCANEERS SECONDS 14
Fielding a quite weakened squad with just a single substitute, Buccaneers Seconds made Tuam work very hard for their 21-14 Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League victory at wet and windswept Garraun on Saturday night. Why this fixture was scheduled on the night Connacht was opening the revamped Dexcom Stadium with a hugely attractive match against Leinster and, on the same weekend, Buccaneers Firsts and U-20s were both playing away games in Ulster puzzles this writer. It obviously did not help the Pirates whose resources were consequently stretched to the limit and devalues the J1 League.
In the tough weather conditions, it was a mainly forwards battle where Buccs gave it their all. Atrio Abono and Oisin Donoghue scored the Pirates tries, both converted by Harry Hughes. This trio plus Anthony Markov were the Athlone side’s best contributors on the night. Buccs finished strongly but could not secure a levelling try and so had to settle for a losing bonus point.
TUAM:- C.Lowry; L.O’Shaughnessy, J.Terblanche, R.Fahy, L.Cronin; M.Ward; S.Brandon; S.Hurley, S.Maughan, N.Carney; D.Gleeson, O.Hallon; O.Swan, A.Finnerty and E.Sweeney. Replacements:- A.Atonio, J.Ward, M.Adeyeye, C.Gleeson and D.Kelly.
BUCCANEERS:- C.Rooney-Digan; P.Mallassou, R.Byrne, C.Daly, J.Rosney; H.Hughes, M.Egan; A.Abono, C.Brill, O.Donoghue; F.McDonnell, S.Fogarty (captain); L.Giles, G.Daly and A.Markov. Replacement:- C.Malone.
Referee:- Eoin Staunton (Connacht).
