It was a case of men against boys in this opening fixture of the Connacht Junior 1B League when Buccaneers Development squad fielded a very young, light side against a much more physical and seasoned Castlebar at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday.
Galwegians took a major step towards retaining their Connacht Senior League title when they defeated Buccaneers 15-11 at Crowley Park, Glenina, on Saturday. Although having the lesser share of possession, they made better use of it to secure a decent confidence booster prior to the AIL. Buccs made most of the early running despite facing a strong breeze but landed just one of three penalties against the elements to lead 3-0 at the end of the opening quarter, Jack Carty being on target on 15 minutes. Wegians opened their account when Ronan Moore finished off their first meaningful attack for a 26th minute try which Tadhg Leader converted splendidly from the left touchline. The outhalf extended the home lead with a penalty seven minutes later. Buccs replied promptly with the best score of the match. Callum Boland caught a loose clearance on his own 22 and chipped ahead to link up with Carty who off-loaded to Kolo Kiripati and the Pirates skipper surged in for 35th minute try. But Wegians responded equally swiftly, Jarlath Naughton barrelling his way through for a try to give the hosts a 15-8 halftime lead. Carty narrowed the arrears with a 46th minute penalty but drizzle, which arrived midway through the opening half, meant that the breeze was not a factor to assist the midlanders as they chased the game. But Buccs can only blame themselves for this loss as they failed to impose their numerical and territorial superiority on the two occasions that Galwegians had players sin-binned. Ivan Muldoon was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on that prevented a certain try after 51 minutes while Brian McClearn also made the trip to the sin bin following a late tackle on 68 minutes. Wegians dug deep defensively while Buccs lacked leadership and creativity.
BUCCANEERS made a winning start to the Connacht Senior League when they defeated Connemara 33-6 in the opening round at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Tuesday night. Both teams fielded depleted squads with Buccs lining out a very experimental, inexperienced outfit for their first action of the new season.
THE IRFU CLUB SEVENS drew hundreds of players to Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday when a feast of running rugby unfolded in near perfect conditions.
BUCCANEERS THIRDS came up short against their Corinthians counterparts in the semi-final of the Ard-Na-Cregg Cup played at Corinthian Park, Galway, on Sunday when the homesters won 25-9.
BUCCANEERS went down narrowly 20-18 to Bruff in their final Ulster Bank League Division 1B fixture of the season at Kilballyowen Park, Bruff, on Saturday.
The Enda O’Rourke Cup was hosted by Buccaneers in glorious sunshine on Saturday at Dubarry Park, Athlone.
BUCCANEERS THIRDS had to work extremely hard to overcome Oughterard in the opening round of the Ard-Na-Cregg Cup when the midlanders prevailed 26-18 after a tough contest at the Co. Galway venue on Sunday.
In their very first season of competitive rugby, Buccaneers Womens team finished their campaign on a real high note when they demolished Carrick-On-Shannon 32-0 in the final of the Connacht Womens Invitation Cup at the Sportsground, Galway, on Sunday.
In this their very first season, Buccaneers Womens team has qualified for a second provincial decider when they overcame favourites Sligo 12-5 in the semi-final of the Connacht Womens Development Cup at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Easter Sunday.
