BUCCS BASEMENT BATTLE AT HOME TO DUNGANNON
RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE
BUCCANEERS drive to avoid relegation begins in real earnest on next Saturday evening when they take on fellow strugglers Dungannon in an AIB League Division 1B match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, that kicks off a bit later than usual at 5 p.m. Buccs absolutely must win this basement battle to have any hope of dodging the dreaded drop, and it will take a massive rejuvenated effort by the squad to do so.
With four matches remaining, Buccaneers trail at the bottom of the table on 11 points, five points behind Saturday’s visitors Dungannon and a further point adrift of Ballynahinch who are on 17. These two northern teams are Buccs immediate next opponents and the Athlone club simply must target wins in both these crunch encounters. However, Buccs must focus one game at a time and Saturday’s duel against the Tyrone standard bearers must be treated as the mother of all Cup finals by Buccs. Nothing less than a home win must ensue, while Dungannon cannot be afforded the luxury of a bonus point in this game sponsored by Ganlys of Athlone.
Consequently, each and every Buccaneers player must stand up and be counted, and take personal responsibility for their input. Commitment must be total and sustained, discipline and focus of the highest order, and every player selected must give of their best whilst playing for each other. Pride must be restored to the jersey in what has been a disappointing and often disjointed campaign to date. Key players from captain Colm Rigney down must show the requisite leadership and enthusiasm; otherwise, Dungannon (also desperately striving to stay up) will punish any weaknesses in the home camp. But Buccs cannot worry about the northerners. They must simply get on with their own game plan, build on it, get momentum going and also get the home crowd behind them.
There is tons of talent and potential in this Buccaneers squad, but the players just need to harness that potential with the right mix of self-belief and pragmatism. All too often, players have been left isolated whilst a real problem throughout the season has been the concession of very early scores. Dungannon cannot be allowed get a foothold or grow in confidence, so Buccs must impose themselves on the proceedings right from the first whistle. Here the home pack must dominate, and quicker ball needs to be delivered to a backline that holds so much promise. With Ulster at home on Friday night, Dungannon are likely to look to have their provincial front row of Neil Brady and the Fitzpatrick boys available to give them a platform to build on from which backs like Chris Cochrane and Craig Gilroy can capitalise on. Conor Higgins, Garreth Halligan and Martin Staunton or Benny Gilligan must front up here to deny them this luxury and the back five must make a collective and mobile nuisance of themselves. Here home supporters will be looking to some vintage play from skipper Rigney while they can bank on the battling qualities of Stephen Burke, Kolo Kiripati and Colin Watters. Padraig Burke and James Tormey may lack bulk at lock but they certainly don’t shirk in effort or in getting around the paddock, and the home pack will need to be in the faces of their opponents all evening come game time. Anthony Hughes and Marcus Madden provide options in the pack.
Half back may be the key and here Buccs have two young players still developing their own games. But if Adam Kennedy and J.H. Potgeiter get a decent supply of possession, they both are smart and skilled operators who can thrive in what will surely be a cauldron on Saturday. Alex Hayman and (if available) Conor O’Loughlin are the anchors in this area and can bring the best out of the burgeoning talent that Paul Harte, Billy Henshaw and John O’Brien possess. Sean Stapleton, Conor Lavelle, Gavin Kelly and Brian O’Carroll are others champing at the bit to show what they too can do. With Connacht away to the Ospreys on Sunday, it’s likely that Brian Touhy may be the only contracted player available but Buccaneers have three of their four remaining games at home in Dubarry Park and must make that advantage really pay-off.
If the spirit and application is right, and with a big home turnout on Saturday evening, Buccaneers can overcome the first critical hurdle to preserving their Division 1B status.
KEY MATCHES:-
This weekend:- Buccaneers v Dungannon and UCC v Ballynahinch.
March 6th:- Ballynahinch v Buccaneers and Dungannon v Old Belvedere.
March 27th:- Buccaneers v UCC; Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch; Ballymena v Dungannon.
April 10th:- Buccaneers v Young Munster; Dungannon v Galwegians; Ballynahinch v Ballymena.
LEAGUE TABLE:-
Ballynahinch 17 points
Dungannon 16 points
Buccaneers 11 points
SLIGO 54 BUCCANEERS 12
 BUCCANEERS RESERVES run in the Heineken Connacht Junior Cup came to a shuddering halt at Hamilton Park, Strandhill, where Sligo emerged convincing victors on a clearcut 54-12 scoreline in front of a modest attendance at the cramped seaside venue. The north-westerners were afforded three first half tries all too easily by the midlanders to lead 21-7 at halftime, which was not perhaps a true reflection on the proceedings to that juncture. Thereafter, however, Sligo were far too strong and slick for a willing but limited Buccs outfit who simply could not match the pace or panache of their hosts.
Sligo got a tonic start when Jordan Barrington got through the centre far too easily for the opening try after just five minutes, Paddy Pearson converting. Buccs recovered and got into the game, bravely working the line with a 15th minute penalty to the right. Kevin Creaven claimed possession at the back to set up David Burns for a try which Michael Donohoe converted to tie the scores at 7-7. However, Sligo struck back with the hugely impressive Pearson delivering a replica of the opening score for his side’s second try seven minutes later. Sligo continued to force the pace but Cormac Sheehy and especially Darren Costello cleared their lines with good use of the boot before Barrington repeated his opening score when he weaved his way past floundering defenders all too handily to deliver a knockout blow four minutes before the interval, Pearson again adding the conversion. Buccs finished the half on the offensive but, although Sligo threw the ball the dead over their own goal-line, the referee did not give Buccs any chance to benefit from this infringement by whistling somewhat presumptuously for halftime.
Five minutes into the second half, Sligo really had their tails up when substitute prop Adrian McHale crashed through for a try and, within another five minutes, they added their fifth try through Andy Feeney when Declan Byrne was quite harshly yellow-carded for alleged off-side with Pearson adding one conversion. Buccs continued to battle and got into promising positions on a number of occasions but, typical of their luck, an attempted grubber kick was blocked down and Sligo used their pace to sweep downfield from their own 22 to grab a 58th minute David Geraghty try.
Sligo were now out-gunning their visitors for whom the lineouts were torrid setpieces with the much taller homesters calling virtually all the shots there. Buccs gave them plenty of food for thought in the scrums but such was the speed of foot and movement by a lightening quick backline that the midlanders were regularly roasted, especially when they coughed up loose ball. Yet Buccs battled willingly and ‘Milky’ Creaven applied the finishing touch to some impressive driving and rucking for a deserved 63rd minute try on the right to put some respectability on the scoreboard at 40-12 adrift.
However, Sligo had the final say when substitute Niall O’Hara displayed that Ronan O’Gara is not the only one who can loft a divine diagonal ball for fullback Geraghty to swoop on to for a 70th minute try before Ted Mulvanney finished off the haul of eight tries by the home side just two minutes before a premature finish to the second half also, although on this occasion Buccs were probably not complaining! Gary Collinson tacked on Sligo’s last three conversions after Pearson sustained an injury.
Pearson was outstanding in a terrific backline with stand out support from Geraghty and Barrington. Wilson lorded the lineouts and a hardy backrow trio generally kept the homesters driving forward, and Sligo certainly look well capable of lifting this trophy this season. Buccs made too many weak tackles in the first half and were always struggling thereafter, while Sligo’s superior size in the forwards was too much for the midlanders to contain as was the winners pace and direct running in the backline.
BUCCANEERS:- C.Sheehy; K.McIntyre, G.Kelly, D.Byrne, M.Donohoe; D.Costello, C.O’Keeffe; B.Gilligan, D.Burns, G.McGill; B.McManus, Anthony Hughes; P.Galvin, K.Creaven and Adrian Hughes (captain). Replacements used:- D.Lennon (for Burns, h/t), D.Dunning (for Galvin, 50 mins) and G.Walsh (for O’Keeffe, 66 mins).
YOUNG MUNSTER 14 BUCCANEERS 19
BUCCANEERS U-21’s recent run of decent form continued when they accounted for Young Munster in a lively, open encounter at Clifford Park, Limerick, on Saturday, winning their South-West Conference National League game on a 19-14 margin in ideal playing conditions.
Buccs got off to flying start and, with Jack Byrne and Colin Draper making ground at will in the opening half, the midlanders opened their account with a try by Byrne after only seven minutes. Overall, there was loads of open play but in the first half it was primarily Buccaneers who were making inroads and it was no real surprise when centre Byrne grabbed his second try, both of which were set up by exquisite passes from Adam Kennedy who added one conversion for a 12-0 halftime lead. The forwards had been providing plenty of go forward ball in this period but, on the turnover, Buccs collectively seemed to take their feet off the pedal, not for the first time this season.
This, allayed to some sloppy kicking, allowed Young Munster back into the game and they narrowed the arrears with a converted try. Buccs steadied their ship when Mark Fitzgibbon intercepted on his own 22 to deliver a knockout blow to the Cookies with a tremendous poacher’s try which Kennedy converted to leave Buccs 19-7 ahead. Now it was the midlanders’ turn to come under the cosh as Young Munster threw everything at them but gutsy and sustained defending restricted the Limerick side to a late converted try.
Byrne and Draper excelled in the backline with Kennedy adding glimpses of his pedigree while the returning David Fagan looked more comfortable at fullback. Despite the absence of Conor Higgins, the front row trio of David Henshaw, Trevor Thompson and David Egan demolished their direct opponents while Shane O’Neill and Paul Robinson also did well in the forwards exchanges.
BUCCANEERS:- D.Fagan; C.Hanly, J.Byrne, C.Draper, M.Fitzgibbon; A.Kennedy, C.Molloy; D.Henshaw, D.Egan, T.Thompson; R.Byrne, S.O’Neill; P.Robinson (captain), J.Hayes and K.Headd. Replacements:- J.O’Carroll (for O’Neill), L.Doran (for Egan) and J.J.Carey (for Henshaw).
BUCCANEERS 22 LOUGHREA 17
BUCCANEERS THIRDS and Loughrea Seconds served up a lively and entertaining affair when the sides met under the Dubarry Park floodlights last Wednesday when the home side prevailed 22-17 in their Connacht J2 League meeting on a bitterly cold night.
Gary O’Loughlin opened the home scoring with an early try and Gerry Glynn, Rory Byrne and John O’Shaughnessy also dotted down as Buccs outscored their visitors. Keith O’Neill added a solitary conversion. Kent McIntyre was outstanding for the winners for whom Byrne, Marty Kilduff and O’Loughlin also did well as the Thirds made it three wins in the last four matches.
The Thirds play their Corinthians counterparts in the J2 League at Dubarry Park on Wednesday night.
BUCCANEERS:- K.O’Neill; R.Silke, J.O’Shaughnessy, M.Kilduff, G.O’Loughlin; N.So, B.Lennon; D.Lennon, K.Grehan, R.Johnston; P.Hynes, M.Coleman; K.McIntyre, G.Glynn and R.Byrne. Replacement:- R.Curley.
CAR DRAW ON FEBRUARY 27th
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27th has been set as the date for Buccaneers Car Raffle Draw. The Draw will take place in The Bounty after the England v Ireland RBS Six Nations Championship game in Twickenham. Club members who have not returned tickets for the Draw should do so urgently. Also, as this Draw is to raise much-needed funds to cover costs such as transport, kit, ground maintenance, ALL players at all the various age levels from Minis to Youth and particularly Adult grades should support this raffle. Consequently, the club seeks your financial support now and trust that all members will buy into it, thus ensuring the on-going financial welfare of the club.
Tickets for the wonderful Renault Megane Coupe on offer are priced very favourably at only €10 each or just €20 for a book of three tickets. So let’s get those last minute ticket sales in now, please.
GOING TO TWICKENHAM?
Members going to the England v Ireland match in Twickenham are reminded that there is another very attractive rugby match in the nearby Stoop on the preceding Friday evening between England Legends v Ireland Legends. This charity match is for the inaugural Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup and famous names such as Martin Corry, Jason Robinson, David Humphreys, Conor O’Shea, Jason Leonard, Peter Clohessy, Mike Catt and Shane Byrne will go head-to-head one more time for a most worthy cause. Sadly, Stuart Mangan, who was paralysed following a rugby injury, has passed away but his family wish that the match go ahead to raise funds for worthy charities such as the IRFU Charitable Trust, Keith Woods’ Paralysed Rugby Players Fund and the Matt Hampson Trust. Matt sustained a similar injury to Stuart while playing for England U-21’s. Tickets are priced at only £10 for adults with children admitted for just £5. So, if you are heading over early to London, this event is worthy of your support.
REFEREES’ DINNER
On Saturday next, Ballinasloe’s Tom Horkan, President of the Connacht Association of Referees, hosts his association’s Annual Dinner in the Shearwater Hotel. We wish them a most enjoyable event and trust they enjoy the hospitality beforehand in Dubarry Park when they will be guests at the Buccaneers v Dungannon AIB League duel.
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Galwegians were defeated by a strong Buccaneers side in perfect conditions at Crowley Park by 16 points to 3. In an entertaining match full of running rugby with play fluctuating from one end of the field to the other with some excellent kicking to complement the ball handling skills of both sides. Both sides had chances to score tries but solid defense and some dodgy decision making ensured both trylines remained uncrossed with the half-time score of 3-3 not reflecting the quality of play on display.
Buccs upped the pressure in the second half and eventually managed to convert a penalty to keep their noses in front. Galwegians powered back and only some very gutsy defending on the line prevented the city side from scoring. The pressure eventually led to a penalty and the miss proved pivotal as Buccs worked their way back down field and converted a good kick to edge 6 points in front with less that 15 minutes to go. With Wegians chasing the game Buccs produced the best passage of the match to score in the corner which was expertly converted to give a final score of 16-3 to the visitors.
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Corinthians 17 – 11 Clonakilty
Corinthians, without a win since early December, at last overcame struggling Clonakilty to move up mid table winning by seventeen points to eleven last Saturday. The home side had to fight all the way to the final whistle too ensure victory at Cloonacauneen Park. The visitors were first on the score board with out half Kurt Morth popping over an easy penalty after the home side were penalised for killing the ball on their twenty five after five minutes of play. The Cloonacauneen outfit got their first try with a good scrummage on the visitors twenty five with young scrumhalf Mark Dolan picking and put in a grubber on the blind side for winger James Buckley to collect same and get in for the touchdown with out half Shane Mullally converting. Buckley got in for another touchdown at the corner flag after centres Cian Begley and Wayne Williams did the donkey work but Mullally missed the ensuing conversion from the touch line. Clonaklity got back into the game after twenty minutes when the home side were penalised for killing the ball on their own twenty five. Morth converted same and this left the home side leading by twelve points to six. Corinthians got in for another score before the break, after number eight Aurelian Casanova won his own lineout with a quick ball out to Mullally, who chipped the ball out wide for centre Wayne Williams to get the touchdown. This left the home side leading by seventeen points to six and looking good for a win plus a bonus point if they scored another try. The County Cork outfit had other ideas with their lively scrumhalf Alex O Mahony urging his pack to drive forward at every opportunity with locks Danny Whelton and Donal McSweeney to the fore. They eventually got their due reward after a line out turnover with their pack driving forward with flanker Lenny Harte touching down bring the visitors back into the game.
The second half became a dour affair with both sides having players sin binned. Credit has to be given to IRFU referee Alan Rogan who kept a tight rein on the whole affair. The two front rows really battled hard with Clonakilty hooker and captain Alfie Harte finding his match against his opposite Dash Barbour. The game was there for the taking for Clonakilty in the final minutes with an opportunity in front of the home side’s posts but a fine tackle by veteran Michael Roche who came late in the whole affair. The game ended with the home side winning by seventeen points to eleven.
Corinthians next outing is a home game against Belfast Harlequins on Saturday 13th at 2.30pm.This will also be a HAITI FUNDRAISER AFFAIR with large screen TV’s for the France v Ireland kick off at 5.30.
Match report by Brendan Cassidy
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U-20 RUGBY RETURNS TO ATHLONE
IRELAND begin this season’s U-20 Six Nations Championship with a home game against Italy as international rugby returns to Athlone on Friday night. Kick off for this hugely anticipated match is 7.30 p.m. Pre-sales of tickets are going well but cash will be taken at the turnstiles for what should be a lively and highly entertaining encounter.
Ireland stars such as Jonathan Sexton, Cian Healy, Keith Earls, Sean Cronin and Sean O’Brien have all played in recent seasons at the Athlone stadium where Ireland have a splendid record, losing just once there over the past four seasons. David O’Callaghan, Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan are among the leading lights this year while local interest will feature on wing Tiernan O’Halloran, whose dad Aidan hails from Moate, while hooker Danny Buckley began his rugby at nearby Creggs. Connacht have a third player Eoin Griffin also in the Ireland panel. Nevin Spence, Jack O’Connell, Brian Hayes and John Cooney are other players worth noting in a squad coached by Allen Clarke, assisted by Nigel Carolan, while Mick Kearney is the new Manager.
These floodlit matches are wonderful opportunities for sports fans from the midlands region to see the stars of the future up close and personal where there is generally a wonderful atmosphere on international match nights. The RTE TV cameras will add to the occasion as all three home fixtures are being transmitted live from Dubarry Park this season. Indeed, Ireland U-20’s preceded their Senior counterparts by winning a grand slam just three seasons ago. Hopefully, this team can repeat that magnificent feat and the game against Italy should be the ideal launching pad.
The host Buccaneers club puts in a massive effort in hosting these highly prestigious matches with a substantial amount of background work being put in for a sizeable period of time, not simply on match night itself. Of course, all this would not be possible without the support of ESB International who again join with the IRFU in staging these games for the fifth season in Athlone.
To avoid the rush on match night, tickets can be bought beforehand at The Bounty, Musicworld Golden Island, Keenan Sports Athlone or Hartens shop in Moate. Stand tickets are best bought in advance to ensure your seat while Family tickets priced at only €30 will admit 2 adults and 2 children are the best value.
So lets see another bumper crowd in Athlone on Friday night roaring on these stars of the future.
CORK CONSTITUTION 15 GARRYOWEN 11
Michael Silke
CORK CONSTITUTION richly deserved their 15-11 victory over Garryowen in the AIB Cup final played at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on a beautiful but crisp midlands afternoon. Con were the better team for long periods of this contest between two recent winners as they put behind him their dismal final display of last season when Ballynahinch embarrassed them.
They began in urgent and purposeful fashion and Richard Lane finished off typically for a 14th minute try. But Scott Deasy failed to convert and had earlier missed a very straight-forward penalty so their 5-0 lead was poor return for the dominance of the Cork side. Garryowen gradually came more into the game, helped by a brace of Conor Murray penalties to edge ahead, before disaster seemed to descend on the hot favourites when they suffered a double-blow in the final move of the half. Garryowen stretched their lead to 11-5 when Michael Sherry was driven over the line for an unconverted try while, in the same move, Cork Con lock Ian Nagle got a straight red card on the intervention of an assistant referee.
But, on the resumption, Con stepped up their endeavours immeasureably and they seemed to have the extra player as they came at Garryowen in droves. Critically they seemed to lose possession too readily once inside the Limerick side’s 22 but they never shirked from their game plan or self belief. Their terrific commitment and support play was eventually rewarded when Dara Lyons did exceptionally well to finish for a 68th minute try which Deasy converted for the slimmest of advantages.
Garryowen were most disappointing in the second period and fullback Deasy sealed the trophy with a last minute penalty for a totally merited Cork Con triumph.
CITY OF DERRY 19 ARMAGH 17
Michael Silke
CITY OF DERRY rode their luck to deny Armagh at the death of an absorbing AIB Junior Cup final in Dubarry Park, Athlone. Armagh were, arguably, the better outfit, but Derry hung on for long spells and then applied the killer punch in the dying moments of a gripping battle.
The losers set the early pace but, after absorbing early pressure, Derry opened the scoring with some play. Mark O’Connor, later to emerge their hero, made their first inroads into Armagh territory to earn a close-in scrum that led to a penalty for the north-westerners. Alert scrumhalf Andrew Semple tapped quickly and was touching down for a 8th minute try on the left. Armagh responded with a brace of Adam Gowing penalties before Richard McCarter got a blockdown in his own half before racing through for 31st minute try which he also converted to put Derry back in front. Gowing landed his third penalty to leave Armagh trailing 12-9 at halftime.
Midway through the second half, Matthew Irwin got through for an Armagh try and they held on to their tenuous advantage until added time during which winger Irwin spurned a clearcut try chance to wrap up the trophy but he attempted to cut inside fatally with the line at his mercy. City of Derry made the most of this let-off and, four minutes into stoppage time, O’Connor took a pass wide on the right to burst through for the vital try although his touchdown seemed short of the line. He cared not a wit, nor did he worry about some earlier poor placekicks, as he coolly picked himself up to land an exquisite conversion from the touchline to snatch a most dramatic 19-17 victory.
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Glynn Cup fixtures (all games 40 minutes in duration bar the Senior match which is 60 minutes): Galwegians and Corinthians will meet in the following levels. 11am: Main Pitch: 3rd xv game; Top Pitch: Under 16 game. 11:45am Main Pitch: Under 21 game; Top Pitch: Under 14 game. 12:30am: Main Pitch Under 15sB; Top Ptich: Under 19s. 1:15pm: Main Pitch: 2nd xv; Top Pitch: Under 17s. 2pm: Main Pitch: Under 13s; Top Pitch: Under 15As. 2:45pm: Main Pitch: Under 9s & 10s; Top Pitch: Under 7s and 8s. 3:10pm: Main Pitch: Ladies: Top Pitch Under 11s and 12s. 4pm: Main Pitch: 1st xv.
