UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 10 BUCCANEERS SECONDS 12
BUCCANEERS SECONDS recorded a crucial hard-fought 12-10 Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League victory over fellow strugglers University of Galway at Dangan on Sunday. The Galway venue escaped the worst of the weather with a cool breeze being the only major difficulty for both teams.
Buccs travelled with just 15 players and had to dig deep to forge this merited win. After a scoreless opening half, Richard Greene made the initial breakthrough early in the second period to score an unconverted try. College, coached by Colm Rigney, responded with a pair of unconverted tries to lead 10-5.
But the Pirates refused to wilt despite being reduced to 14 players following an injury to Harry Balsiger. Their sustained endeavours gained reward with a Keelan Connolly try and Gearoid McDonald’s conversion sealed the win which moves the Athlone side above the Students on the league table.
Evergreen props Niall Harney and Sean Flynn held the scrum together, laying the foundation for this much-needed victory with the hard-working pack all contributing. Returning after a lengthy injury lay-off McDonald ran the show at fly-half, his prodigious boot a key factor in thwarting the hosts time and again. Greene also did well in the backline where Joe Smyth slotted in seamlessly on the wing.
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY:- J.Fitzgerald; A.O’Halloran, D.Bent, B.Murphy, E.Cullen; B.Clarke, B.Bergin; L.Melia, O.Soden, C.Wall; J.Lelivere, L.Layden; S.Devlin, S.McDonnell and B.Molloy. Replacements:- M.O’Griofa, H.Guest, R.Aghabueze, C.MacCuarta and P.Magliocco.
BUCCANEERS:- R.Greene; J.Smyth, S.Treacy, H.Balsiger, C.Rooney-Digan; G.McDonald, G.Fallon; N.Harney, C.Morrissey, S.Flynn; K.Connolly, J.del Olmo; J.Scouler, J.Crampton and L.Balsiger.
Referee:- Mark Fitzgerald (Connacht).
