April 13, 2008

RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE

BUCCANEERS looked jaded when going down 13-15 to University College, Cork, in their AIB League Division 2 Top Four semi-final at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday. Although the homesters held a 13-0 advantage at the break, they failed to add to their tally and the Students gradually whittled away at their deficit to grab victory with a late try. Overall, UCC were probably deserving of their victory for they showed the greater enthusiasm throughout and refused to read the script when things were not going their way, notably two early penalty misses of the “ Gloucester” variety.

Underfoot conditions were very difficult as the pitch had cut up badly when enduring two games the previous day in very poor weather conditions. However, some sun and breeze ensured it was playable and the early exchanges were of a “Sevens” style between two fairly settled squads. Buccs mentors remained faithful to the players who earned promotion as they started with the fifteen who clinched honours last time out against Dublin University. However, the homesters had to tighten up somewhat as early as the seventh minute when Alamoti TePou was sin-binned following an infringement in a tackle.

They were penalised for handling on 13 minutes but Gavin Dunne was badly wide from inside the home 22. Two minutes later, Buccaneers took the lead when Alan Gaughan slotted over an excellent penalty for foul play by Neilus Keogh, who somehow escaped a yellow card. Dunne saw his second penalty kick rebound off an upright at the end of the opening quarter while Mark Bruce was alert to a cute grubber kick two minutes later. Buccs had a chance to edge further ahead after 25 minutes when Garreth Halligan’s break forced College offside but Gaughan’s penalty was just the wrong side of the upright.

But only four minutes later, Halligan made a terrific surge down the centre, judiciously off-loading to Gaughan who linked with the supporting Bruce and the scrumhalf darted through for a very well-taken try which Gaughan converted to put Buccs 10-0 ahead. UCC were now rattled and Dunne had a woeful drop goal attempt after Bruce had bravely stopped Dave Nathan. Niall O’Hara then did well twice in quick succession, coolly dealing with a chip over the cover and then cleverly picking a loose ball to clear his lines.

Clifford Richardson made a couple of charges as Buccs strove to add to their tally before halftime and the home pressure caused the Students to hold on too long to the ball, Gaughan duly slotting over the resultant penalty to give Buccaneers a 13-0 lead after a brief first half.

Five minutes into the second period, referee Alan Rogan whistled back play for a Buccaneers scrum for a knock-on by which time Sean Carey was haring for the visitors’ goalline. This was a critical error by the official, whose inconsistencies meant he struggled to control the exchanges. Adrian Penzhorn then made a smashing break and one felt that another score would surely kill off the Students’ resolve. But, despite the introduction of Adrian Hanley for Stephen Burke after 49 minutes, Buccs just could not get through stout UCC defending.

Crucially, College got the next score on 55 minutes and, disappointingly, it stemmed from home possession. UCC won a Buccs throw-in close to the Bounty corner and they moved the phases from right to left before Colin Crowley got in for a try. Although Dunne’s conversion rebounded off an upright, College now grabbed the initiative while Buccs did not help their cause with a stupid offside in front of their own posts. Dunne finally found the target with this 62 nd minute penalty and now there was a spring in the collective steps of the Students.

Buccs lineout was disintegrating and their overall play looked leaden and tired. Paul Harte replaced Bruce, who was carrying an injury and Gaughan switched to scrumhalf. Meanwhile, a rejuvenated UCC sensed and seized their opportunity with good play in the build up to Ivan Dineen’s well-taken 75 th minute try. Scott Deasy added the conversion and suddenly UCC had their noses in front with time running out. Buccaneers rallied strongly, Penzhorn making another storming break that took him within sight of the visitors’ goalline. Fierce pressure was applied in the closing moments, forcing UCC to defend desperately. Deep in added time, Don Keogh was guilty of a high tackle just inside his own half. The flanker was duly despatched to the sin-bin but, agonisingly for home fans in the disappointing attendance, Gaughan’s lengthy penalty tailed wide and thus the Students survived to progress to next Saturday’s final against Young Munster at Donnybrook. Remarkably, it is seven seasons since a home team last lost a Top Four semi-final.

But on the day, a flat Buccaneers were both very disappointing and disappointed. Strangely, they have not played as well at home as they did on their travels. Even when 13-0 ahead, they were not in total control and lacked the spark and verve that has served them so well throughout the season. It seemed as if this was simply one game too many for the mainly youthful squad and thus the season came to an anti-climatic end. However, the players and mentors can take pride in their endeavours, particularly that wonderful run-in that secured the precious goal of promotion.

BUCCANEERS:- N.O’Hara (captain); A.Gaughan, A.Penzhorn, A.Hayman, S.Carey; S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; M.Diffley, G.Halligan, C.Higgins; A.TePou, C.Richardson; C.Watters, T.Conneely and S.Burke. Replacements used:- A.Hanley (for Burke, 49 mins) and P.Harte (for Bruce, 68 mins).

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CORK:- S.Deasy; P.Shallow, I.Dineen, A.Kelleher (captain), C.Crowley; G.Dunne, S.Cronin; S.Archer, W.Falvey, R.O’Neill; N.Keogh, I.Nagle; D.Nathan, D.Keogh and J.Ryan. Replacements used:- C.Kennefick (for Ryan, 58 mins), R.O’Sullivan (for Dunne, 63 mins), B.Dennehy (for Kelleher, 63 mins) and S.Scanlon (for Crowley, 77 mins).

REFEREE:- A.Rogan. ( Leinster).