UNDERAGE NEWS
Buccaneers travelled to Carrick-On-Shannon to play the semi-final of this year’s Connacht U-16 Cup. This was always going to be a tricky assignment against a strong home team. Buccs were well prepared for this game but started poorly having trouble with a capricious wind and tenacious tackling by the Leitrim boys. However, Buccs defence looked secure and an Owen Egan blockdown enabled him to score an unconverted try to leave the half time score at 5-0 to the Athlonians.
A facile try by the Carrick winger was well converted early in the second half but Buccs hit back when Egan scored from a quick penalty. The Pirates were now well on top and scored again to lead 19-7. Unbelievably Carrick now scorde a try when they ran through the middle of the Buccs midfield making the last 5 minutes nervy but Buccs prevailed to win 19-12. They will have to improve if they are to beat Sligo in the final. Too many unforced errors and an ability to squander repeated chances in the final third will have to be addressed.
Owen Egan and Darragh Glennon were best of the backs with Reuben Colleran and Jimmy Walshe shining up front.
BUCCANEERS:- C West (captain), J Kelly, A Browne, J Walshe, E Claffey, H Hannon, R Colleran, N Kelly, O Egan, A Cotton, J Bourke, O O’Donoghue, D Glennon, J Paul & P Finnan, Replacements:- D Dullea, P Sunny, P Bourke, T Coleman, Paco, S Nugent, T Dolan and A Connors.
Buccaneers also overcame Carrick-On-Shannon 35-20 at the latter’s ground in the Connacht U-18.5 Cup. Tries by Charlie O’Carroll and John Casey helped the Athlone team to a hard-earned but deserved win.
Meanwhile, Buccaneers and Dunmore girls sides could not be separated when they met in the Connacht U-14 Cup with both teams having identical scores of 3 tries, 2 conversions and 1 penalty in a 22-22 draw.
Buccaneers U-18 Girls bowed out of the Connacht Plate v Sligo.
Buccaneers Boys are home to Claremorris in the Connacht U-14 Bowl semi-final on Sunday, kick-off 1.30 p.m.
TABLE QUIZ THANK YOU
BUCCANEERS U-15s held a successful well organised Table Quiz in The Bounty last Thursday with over 20 tables attending the event. The young players and their mentors thank all who donated or sponsored prizes and, of course, who supported the quiz on the night.
