Seniors | Buccaneers Rugby Club Athlone

BUCCANEERS finished this season’s Ulster Bank League with a disappointing 24-12 defeat away to Bruff at Kilballyowen Park. With six players on duty with Connacht A and also missing injured experienced duo Kolo Kiripati and Garreth Halligan, Buccs were stretched for numbers and fielded a very young squad that included Brendan Fagan in the backrow and Ben Carty deputising at outhalf for elder brother Jack who was skippering the Eagles at Dubarry Park.

On a balmy late Spring day with a slight breeze making for near ideal conditions, Bruff got off to a quick start in this Division 1B fixture of little consequence. Although already consigned to relegation, the proud Co. Limerick club as always were fiercely spirited and asked some searching questions of a weakened Pirates outfit. After a series of mauls deep in the midlanders’ territory, Bruff took the lead when Brian Carroll slotted a penalty from the right. Buccs responded with Fagan and James Tormey keeping an attack going but a knock-on gave relief to the hosts. Tim Clifford soon replaced the injured Conor FitzGibbon and Buccs promised in another attack from deep started by the steadily maturing Luke Satchwell and kept alive by Mark Dolan, supported by Martin Staunton and fly-half Carty, that tested the Bruff defence.

The homesters changed four personnel in a brave alteration prior to halftime with experienced loosehead David Horan among the introductions. Carroll tacked on a second penalty just before the half-hour mark and it took some frenetic tackling notably by Aidan Connaughton off a defending scrum and by substitute Clifford to keep Buccs arrears to 0-6 at the interval.

Diarmuid Higgins replaced Johannes Roets in the second half but, following an infringement at a breakdown on Buccs 22, Carroll made it a hat-trick of on-target penalties for Bruff. Shortly afterwards, Callum Boland countered (as he did with menace throughout) and with Satchwell feeding Clifford, the Corkonian touched down on the left for an unconverted try that left Bruff 9-5 ahead.

Dolan and Horan were sin-binned for a bout of minor aggravation and Horan’s removal, if only temporarily, gave Buccs a breather in the scrum from the serious pressure his presence exerted. Bruff attacked on the left and regained lost possession to score a try through Robbie Finn. Tormey was next to be yellow-carded after a ruck infringement while Brian Teape replaced another teenager Scott Flanagan in the front row for Buccaneers. Two more young Pirates Barry Digby and Ross Enraght-Moony soon entered the fray for the Athlone club in place of Dolan and Connaughton, both of whom had been lively throughout.

With their more physical, stronger pack dominant, Bruff kept up the pressure which yielded a Mike Carroll try converted by Brian Carroll who also kicked a fourth penalty for a 24-5 advantage. Although Buccs had the final score with an Enraght-Moony try converted by Boland, the brief and late response fell short. Even so, Buccs though depleted did not lack spirit and gave this less than meaningful fixture their best effort with the resources available. All the youngsters gave full commitment and the experience will be very beneficial to them. The more experienced players such as Tormey, Rory Byrne, Staunton and Dolan all gave direction and example with Satchwell and Boland showing best to set the benchmark for the others to follow. Although Bruff repeated the victory of the corresponding fixture last season, it was too late to repeat the grand escape of last year and they will look to regroup and re-energise in Division 2A.

BUCCANEERS:-  C.Boland; B.Henshaw, C.FitzGibbon, A.Hayman (captain), D.Griffith; B.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, S.Flanagan, J.Roets; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; B.Fagan, A.Connaughton and L.Satchwell. Replacements:- T.Clifford (for FitzGibbon, inj.), D.Higgins (for Roets), B.Teape (for Flanagan), B.Digby (for Dolan) and R.Enraght-Moony (for Connaughton).

BRUFF:- B.Enright; M.Cosgrove, R.Finn, B.Carroll, A.Breen; E.Maher, W.Casey; T.Quirke, J.Hogan, C.O’Sullivan; P.Lynch, M.McMahon; M.Cahill, D.Keogh and Paddy Clery. Replacements:- Padraic Clery, D.Horan, G.Bolger, R.McAuliffe and M.Carroll.

Referee:-  John Carvill (IRFU).

BUCCANEERS SENIOR TEAM travel north to the Co. Down foothills where they square up to champions-elect Ballynahinch in the penultimate round of Ulster Bank League fixtures at Ballymacarn Park on Saturday, kick off 2.30 p.m. Long time leaders Hinch are already assured of promotion but will be keen to also capture the Division 1B title. They lead UCD by eight points with just two rounds of fixtures remaining and also boast a far superior scoring difference, 117 points better than the Students. Dublin University are currently sandwiched in second position four points adrift of the Ulster club but have played their full complement of fixtures. Ballynahinch require just two points to claim the championship.

Consequently, Buccs can anticipate a full-blooded encounter as Hinch would dearly love to win the title on their own ground. Of course, due to a water-logged surface at Ballymacarn Park last Saturday, they entertained Blackrock College at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast. They have also had to play a fixture in Lisburn as their elevated ground can fall victim of severe weather. So the midlanders can expect to have to dig deep and they will need to be more on their game than in their floodlit win over Ballymena. Buccs just never got motoring as anticipated but the challenges posed by Hinch will surely focus the Pirates.

Ballynahinch recruited strongly for this campaign, tempting a handful of decent players away from Ballymena as well as the versatile Michael Lawton from Dungannon. Blane McIlroy, Roger McBurney and Chris Carey are just three of the Braidmen to have switched from Co. Antrim to Co. Down and they could be key figures on Saturday. Stuart Morrow is a smashing centre while wily prop Chris Stevenson and lock Chris Napier provide abrasiveness and guile in the pack. If underfoot conditions are favourable and Buccs play to their collective strengths, then a smashing contest is in prospect.  

BUCCANEERS 9  BALLYMENA 6

BUCCANEERS kept a solid grip on fourth place in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank League when they defeated Ballymena 9-6 in a much more closely-contested than anticipated encounter under the Dubarry Park floodlights on Saturday night. The visitors, who arrived propping up the league table, made a right battle of this Glasson Country House Hotel & Golf Club sponsored match but their losing bonus point was not enough to stave off relegation and they join Bruff in the drop to Division 2A.

Ballymena featured just five of their squad who won in Athlone last season while Buccs welcomed back Connacht A trio Jack Carty, Conor Finn and David Heffernan to strengthen their side. The visitors had first use of the breeze and this helped them dominate territory in the opening half. But it was Buccs who opened the scoring when, after Heffernan had rumbled forward, Ballymena conceded a 7^th minute penalty which Carty slotted over. Earlier, Garreth Halligan had made a terrific break but his offload was deemed forward as a home try loomed.

Callum Patterson opened Ballymena’s account with a 17^th minute penalty after Buccs were guilty of not rolling away. However, the Ulster side’s centre missed two straight-forward placekicks either side of this score. The northerners encountered further difficulty when Ian Vance was yellow-carded after 27 minutes. Nevertheless, the Braidmen took the lead three minutes later when Patterson slotted over a penalty.

But the teams were level again within two minutes when, after the industrious Heffernan won possession from the restart, James Tormey surged forward and Ballymena infringed. Carty added a fine penalty and the northerners were a mite lucky when the home outhalf appeared to be impeded as he chased his own kick ahead just before the interval which arrived with the teams level 6-6.

Although the breeze was not quite as influential in the second half, it was still of benefit to the homesters and it seemed as if Buccs would now kick on. But they lacked precision and enterprise while decision-making was not always up to par. Ballymena too were not willing to go down tamely and, with Carty being narrowly off-target with penalty kicks on 55 and 64 minutes, the game remained finely balanced.

There was effort and energy aplenty from both sides with Ballymena, for whom Ricky Andrew was their most prominent operator, defiant and resolute. The Pirates supporters could not relax until the final whistle although Carty’s third successful penalty three minutes from time eased their nerves somewhat. This followed Buccs most flowing move of the game started by AUDI ATHLONE Man of the Match Finn and carried on by Callum Boland, Martin Staunton and Conor FitzGibbon. At the end of it, Ballymena’s John McMullan was pinged for not releasing in the tackle and the substitute finished the match in the sin bin. Although Buccaneers were not at their fluent best, the tight 9-6 victory keeps them comfortably in fourth place.

BUCCANEERS:-  C.Boland; B.Henshaw, C.Finn, A.Hayman, C.FitzGibbon; J.Carty, M.Dolan; P.Reilly, G.Halligan, D.Higgins; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; S.Casey, D.Heffernan and K.Kiripati (captain). Replacements:- M.Staunton (for Reilly, 51 mins) and J.Roets (for Higgins, 51 mins).

BALLYMENA:-  J.Nicholl; J.Foster, R.Andrew, C.Patterson, D.Montgomery; M.Irwin, I.Vance; J.Carson (captain), J.Andrew, M.Irving; M.Rea, D.Whann; A.Hamilton, W.McKay and S.Mulholland. Replacements:- C.Smyth (for Mulholland, h/t), J.Taggart (for Irving, 56 mins), A.Ferguson (for Nicholl, 67 mins), N.Stirling (for Montgomery, 67 mins) and J.McMullan.

REFEREE:-  Ken Imbusch (IRFU).

BUCCANEERS travel to the Co. Down foothills on Saturday where they square up to long-time league leaders Ballynahinch in the Ulster Bank League with this Division 1B clash kicking off at Ballymacarn Park at 2.30 p.m. Buccs lost their opening day fixture against the northerners who, spurred on by the tragic deaths of Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham, played with passion and zeal to defeat the Pirates in a decent contest that really could have gone either way. Since then, Hinch have been on a mission to achieve promotion and are very much in the driving seat, nine points ahead of their nearest rivals UCD with just four rounds of matches remaining.  Barring a calamity, they look certainties to go up at this stage.

However, Buccs can be counted on to put it up to the northerners at this elevated pitch where one can certainly feel a chill coming down from the nearby hills. The Athlone outfit may lack numbers and size compared to their main rivals in Division 1B. Nevertheless, they are not far off the mark as recent narrow away defeats to teams above them testify. Their schedule has not helped them either, this being their third successive away fixture against 3^rd, 2^nd and now 1^st in that order! The dice is certainly loaded against the Pirates!

Buccs had an enforced rest last weekend due to the game against Belfast Harlequins being postponed as Quins claimed inability to travel in the adverse conditions up north. It seems to this writer that the match was postponed rather hastily, influenced perhaps by a weakened panel available to the Belfast outfit. Tullamore were able to journey north and play in nearby Portadown on Saturday while some Harlequins supporters, unaware that the game was deferred, were also not best pleased when they arrived at Dubarry Park on Saturday.

Hinch recruited strongly for this campaign, particularly from Ballymena with Blane McIlroy, Chris Carey and Roger McBurney now key figures in their squad. Michael Lawton joined from Dungannon and adds a placekicking potency to their side. Of course, Dungannon and especially Ballymena have suffered greatly as a consequence. Wily prop Chris Stevenson leads from the front with guile and grunt while Chris Napier and Paul Pritchard are two other fine forwards. Stuart Morrow and Aaron Ferris are two backs whose influence may need curbing.

Buccs are unlikely to make many changes although Diarmuid Higgins and Peter Reilly could be on from the start on this occasion. Eoghan Grace is doubtful while Shane Layden’s injury jinx continues this term. But, if Buccs are focussed and disciplined from the start, keep their workrate high and error count low, then an absorbing encounter can unfold. Hinch have lost just once this season and that was, surprisingly, at Ballymacarn Park where Buccs have claimed a victory or two in recent seasons.

BUCCANEERS 37  MALONE 30

BUCCANEERS and Malone served up wonderfully entertaining Ulster Bank League fare at Dubarry  Park, Athlone, on Saturday night with the home side holding on for a thrilling 37-30 victory after a fast-flowing encounter played in ideal conditions. Buccs bonus point win brings them within one point of second place in Division 1B.

Two youthful squads played loads of off-the-cuff, end to end rugby that kept the minds of the attendance off the frosty weather with the teams matching score for score for large swathes of this Russell Brennan Keane sponsored game. Kolo Kiripati was on the bench for the homesters as a precautionary measure due to an injury niggle while a hamstring ruled out Mark McCrea. Luke Satchwell and Conor FitzGibbon were the replacements in an otherwise unchanged home team. Malone were short a number of players too including their skipper Glen Moore and Niall O’Connor but promising lock Alan O’Connor, who was not utilised by Ulster in Glasgow the previous night, made the circuitous trip to Athlone to play.

Jack Carty opened the scoring with a penalty for the Pirates after just two minutes but Malone missed their first chance when Josh Pentland was unable to convert a penalty following a high tackle. However, the Ulster club went ahead on 13 minutes when Johnny Burgess sliced through for a try at the posts which Pentland converted. Three minutes later, it was the turn of the midlanders to cut the opposition’s defence to shreds when, after a good chase forced a poor clearance by the visitors, Buccs moved the ball smartly from the resultant lineout and FitzGibbon angled in for a well-taken try which Carty converted. It got even better for Buccs within six minutes when the in-form Carty surged through the middle and he committed the final two defenders before off-loading to Callum Boland for a try which Carty converted for a 17-10 lead after a very lively opening 23 minutes.

Buccaneers were indisciplined in the next period and a brace of Pentland penalties from three placekicks in quick succession was followed by a yellow card for Conor Finn. Nevertheless, Buccs put some good moves together despite their temporary numerical shortage and a neat triumvirate of passes by Alex Hayman, Garreth Halligan and Mark Dolan put the midlanders in a very promising position. Unfortunately, Nial Shannon intercepted a loose pass later in the move inside his own 22 and made terrific ground before kicking ahead for Chris Leatham to win the chase and ground the ball for a 38^th minute try which Pentland converted. However, there was still time for Carty to level the match when, with the final kick of the half, his fine penalty had the scoreboard reading 20-20.

Buccaneers made a flying start to the second half with Eoghan Grace and Halligan leading the charge that yielded a Carty drop goal, although a try looked possible had the ball been moved to the right. Pentland again levelled the scores with a 52^nd minute placekick after a Malone knock on to upset a flowing home move was missed inside their own 22 and, when the hosts protested, Buccs were penalised for dissent giving the northerners territory where they subsequently profited from another placekick.

But two tries in eight minutes gave Buccs the decisive edge. Outhalf Carty scored the try of the game, breaking on 57 minutes and then catching his own chip ahead to show decent pace and strength enroute to touching down at the posts. His conversion brought his tally to 21 points for the game. He then made the snipe that was finished off by substitute Diarmuid Higgins who, literally, crawled over the visitors’ line to ground the ball for the homesters’ fourth try. Carty was injured in this move and Boland converted this bonus point try to make it an all Offaly score and a 37-23 lead.

Malone refused to throw in the towel and Pentland finished off some decent play for a 73^rd minute try which he converted. The northerners, with Corrie Tipping back on the park after ten minutes in the sin bin, pounded the home line in the closing minutes but a resolute Buccs defensive effort, in which Billy Henshaw excelled throughout to earn the AUDI ATHLONE Man of the Match accolade, just held their line intact in a welter of excitement. Despite a losing bonus point, Malone lost ground on the top four with Buccaneers closing the gap on both UCD and Dublin University (who they play next Saturday) to just a solitary point.

This was was the fourth successive home game that yielded plenty of league points for Buccaneers and loads of scores for supporters to enthuse over. The Pirates may still lack a clinical or perhaps cynical edge but they endeavour to move the ball quickly and provide hugely entertaining fare, albeit perhaps too nail-biting stuff for their mentors! Their swash-buckling style and never-say-die spirit are two of the ingredients keeping Buccaneers firmly in the promotion hunt. 

BUCCANEERS:-  C.Boland; B.Henshaw, C.Finn, A.Hayman, C.FitzGibbon; J.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, J.Roets; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; L.Satchwell, D.Heffernan and E.Grace. Replacements:-  D.Higgins (for Roets, 50 mins), K.Kiripati (captain) (for Byrne, 57 mins), M.Fifita (for Satchwell, 58 mins), B.Digby (for Carty, inj. 65 mins), P. Reilly (for Staunton, 65 mins) and R.Byrne (for Boland, inj. 76 mins).

MALONE:-   T.Acheson; J.Malcolm, J.Burgess, M.Gribben, C.Leatham; J.Pentland, S.Kelly; L.Barlow, N.Shannon, D.Halliday; A.O’Connor, C.Tipping; D.Maxwell, J.Ogilby and N.Alcorn. Replacements:- P.Rodgers (for Tipping, blood sub. 24/31 mins), S.Scott (for Gribben, inj. 28 mins), P.Rodgers (for Maxwell, 49 mins), D.Creighton (for Kelly, 55 mins), S.Bailie (for Barlow, 61 mins) and G.Crawford (for Shannon, 61 mins).

REFEREE:-  Darragh McCormack (IRFU).

BUCCANEERS maintained their impressive away form when they defeated Dungannon 24-22 in their Ulster Bank League Division 1B game that finished in a welter of excitement at Stevenson Park on Saturday. After a slow start, the midlanders were coasting 24-10 ahead with less than ten minutes remaining when the homesters capitalised on some sloppy play by the Athlone outfit to grab two late tries that almost earned a draw for the hosts. Buccs just held on for a rare win at this panoramic ground when Stuart McCloskey’s conversion attempt of Mark O’Shea’s final move try went the wrong side of the upright and thus the Pirates travelled home with the spoils.

Kolo Kiripati and Callum Boland returned after missing the home draw with Blackrock College while Mark Dolan recovered from an injury sustained in that encounter as the Buccs fielded at decent strength. Dungannon continue to struggle not helped by pre-season departures and continued misfortune with absentees for various reasons. Conditions for the game were good on a lovely, mild afternoon albeit the pitch (like so many grounds elsewhere) was heavy due to the too regular rains of late. In front of strong home support, Gannon got off to a flyer although some of the Buccaneers crew will not be happy with some porous defending in the build-up to the Ulstermen’s third minute try. Ali Birch made the initial break before Mark Jenkinson cantered through some woeful tackling to touch down near the posts and McCloskey added the conversion for a promising start by the Tyrone side.

Buccs quickly got better organised after this wake-up call and they took the game to the northerners who were tempted offside in similar positions on 9 and 18 minutes with Jack Carty landing two fine penalties from the right to tighten the scores to 7-6. A high tackle by James Tormey presented McCloskey with a swift opportunity to reply but the centre’s 20^th minute penalty from the left tailed the wrong side of the far upright. However, he made no mistake two minutes later when, after Jaryd Bennett had evaded both Johannes Roets and Conor Finn, Alex Hayman was deemed guilty of a deliberate knock-on. With the impressive Birch constantly asking questions of the Buccaneers defence, Dungannon got promising territory with a penalty to the left corner but David Heffernan claimed possession to clear the danger. The Pirates flanker grew in influence coming up to halftime and his smart tap and go yielded a 36^th minute penalty which Carty confidently converted from the ten metre line.

Buccaneers dominance was now growing while Dungannon were not helped by some wayward lineout throws. Carty went very close with a long 39^th minute drop goal attempt but he promptly landed a sublime effort in the next move to complete the first half action after which Buccs led for the first time 12-10 at the break.

Buccs continued on the offensive after the change of ends and opted for a penalty to the right hand corner two minutes into the second period. Heffernan was the target here and he got good possession which led to Kiripati, Garreth Halligan and Carty all having snipes at the home line before the Pirates’ skipper powered over for a 43^rd minute try in the right corner. Carty landed an excellent touchline conversion which, ultimately, was to prove the decisive score. Buccs continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges although Mark McCrea had to be alert to tackle David Enger into touch inside the Buccs 22. As the game approached the hour mark, Finn’s chase almost caught a leisurely Mark O’Shea napping as the Dungannon replacement covered back after a Carty drop goal effort that was marginally off-target. Carty was unable to convert a 61^st minute penalty earned by a fine Rory Byrne steal that coaxed a home player to come in from the side.

But Buccs superiority at this stage was rewarded when, with Eoghan Grace to the fore, the Athlone side made their pressure pay when fullback Boland fashioned a gap to get in for a well-finished 67^th minute try in the right corner. Although Carty was unable to add the conversion, Buccs looked home and dry, now 24-10 to the good. In the opening minutes, it looked like they were still “on the bus” and now it seemed that mentally some players were already back on the bus for the trip home to the midlands! Concentration dropped and the error count grew. Barry Digby was slow to clear on 74 minutes which led to McCrea attempting a clearance near his posts which was blocked down by Rowan Halsall and former Buccs player Bennett was on to the loose ball in a flash to angle in for a 73^rd minute try on the left which McCloskey converted to set up a dramatic finish.

Dungannon now threw everything at the Buccs rearguard as they sensed precious league points suddenly back within range. Buccaneers defended resolutely and with some desperation until the final move of the game when O’Shea crashed over the line on the right to leave just two points between the teams. The substitute was injured in scoring and a delay as he received attention did not help centre McCloskey whose placekick went tantalisingly wide. Thus for the second game in succession Buccs coughed up a healthy lead and survived a last gasp conversion, going one better on this occasion to win at a venue from where they had come away empty-handed for the previous four visits.    

Buccaneers merited this victory but they made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves. Victory keeps them in a top four that is tightening with leaders Ballynahinch suffering their first defeat of the season and second placed Trinity squaring up to third placed UCD next weekend. But Buccs will need to be more clinical and their tackling more committed as the league enters a crucial stage, particularly, at home to fifth-placed Malone next Saturday night. However, half-backs Carty and Mark Dolan were effective for Buccs, Carty’s line and place-kicking being topclass and Dolan doing very well despite carrying an injury into this contest. Boland adds assurance at full-back, stalwart Tormey was the dominant force in the lineouts, Martin Staunton was pick of the front row and Mata Fifita (a surprise replacement at No. 8 early in the second half) put in some shuddering hits following his introduction.

Dungannon, hugely disappointed to suffer defeat again, can nevertheless take encouragement from their battling display in which Birch, Jenkinson, O’Shea and James Bates put in Trojan efforts to earn a priceless bonus point.

Buccaneers play Malone under the Dubarry Park floodlights next Saturday night, kick off 7 p.m.

BUCCANEERS:- C.Boland; B.Henshaw, C.Finn, A.Hayman, M.McCrea; J.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, J.Roets; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; D.Heffernan, E.Grace and K.Kiripati (captain). Replacements:-  M.Fifita (for Kiripati, 48 mins), P.Reilly (for Roets, 53 mins), L.Satchwell (for Heffernan, 57 mins), D.Higgins (for Staunton, 62 mins) and B.Digby (for Dolan, 68 mins).

DUNGANNON:-  J.Bennett; D.Simpson, P.Magee, S.McCloskey, D.Enger; G.McGonigle, J.Bates; G.Sinnamon, P.Whyte, M.Farquhar; P.McCarroll, M.Jenkinson (captain); S.McKenzie, R.Halsall and A.Birch. Replacements:- M.O’Shea (for Simpson, 27 mins), P.Jackson (for Whyte, 38 mins), T.Smith (for McCarroll, h/t), S.Sinnamon (for G.Sinnamon, h/t), S.Conway (for Bennett, 42 mins), G.Sinnamon (for Farquhar, 56 mins), Whyte (for S.Sinnamon, 62 mins), McCarroll (for McKenzie, 65 mins), Bennett (for McGonigle, 65 mins) and McKenzie (for Birch, 68 mins).

Referee:- Eanna O’Dowd (IRFU).

BUCCANEERS 9  TUAM 0

BUCCANEERS THIRDS and Tuam fought out a dogged Connacht J2 League battle at Dubarry Park on Saturday before the home side prevailed 9-0 after a test of endurance for player and spectator alike. On a pitch that cut up badly, free-flowing rugby was most unlikely and so it proved particularly in a scoreless first half. Numerous errors by both sides occurred throughout a competitive joust but Darren Costello’s hat-trick of penalties gave Buccs the ammunition required to muster another victory that keeps them on top of this particular league. Damien Kelly, Tristan Couper and substitute Conor Galvin were best for Buccs.

BUCCANEERS:-  K.O’Neill; J.Bonnar, D.Kelly, S.Flynn, M.Tormey; D.Costello, G.Fallon; L.Doran, K.Grehan, K.Langdon; D.Dunning, G.Kenny; G.Glynn (captain), T.Couper and S.Byrne. Replacements:- C.Galvin, D.Smith, P.Rikadze, V.McGrath, N.Flynn and Leo Aadic.

BUCCANEERS and Blackrock College served up a feast of scores and entertaining rugby in their Ulster Bank League Division 1B encounter at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday when the spoils were shared 36-36 after a hectic tussle played in perfect pitch and weather conditions. With the IRFU scheduling this fixture virtually in direct competition to Ireland’s opening RBS Six Nations game in Wales, the attendance was surely the smallest witnessed in Athlone for an AIL match, but those who opted to come along got terrific value for their money.

Buccs made four changes in personnel following last week’s defeat at Harlequins. South Sea Islanders duo Kolo Kiripati (injured) and Mata Fifita (ill) were enforced absentees. Eoghan Grace came into the backrow while Mark McCrea started at fullback, Garreth Halligan resumed at hooker and Conor FitzGibbon joined his cousin Billy Henshaw patrolling the wings. Blackrock captain Cian Culleton returned to active duty in the front row of a beefy and experienced pack that included Des Dillon, Owen Cullen and one-time Bucc David Gannon.

On a calm, dry afternoon in total contrast to the preceding week, Rock had the first scoring chance but Rob Keogh missed a kickable penalty after only 2 minutes. Buccs grabbed their first opportunity just three minutes later when, after James Tormey won good lineout ball, Grace peeled away on the blindside for a smartly-taken try on the left and Jack Carty added a fine touchline conversion. Keogh found the range with a 9th minute penalty while Carty was off-target just two minutes later after Alex Hayman had been stopped just short and the visitors’ Tom Kevany was yellow-carded. Keogh missed a second penalty after 15 minutes but two minutes later was converting David Godfrey’s try when Rock capitalised as Mark Dolan was receiving treatment for an ankle injury that forced his early withdrawal. Barry Digby replaced the scrumhalf and he battled on bravely despite shipping an injury that limited his mobility before halftime.

But Buccs were back in front on 25 minutes, Hayman surging through and Carty, who initiated the move, adding the conversion. Two minutes later, the Pirates extended their lead when McCrea made a telling break and showed good composure in finding Conor Finn who somehow held on to possession before the ball was moved to the right where Grace’s deft offload sent Luke Satchwell scurrying over the visitors’ line for an excellent 27th minute try. Carty’s conversion put Buccs 21-10 ahead in a lively joust. The metropolitans had the next scoring sniff but Keaveny ignored an overlap and then knocked on when the home defence closed him down before Buccs stretched their advantage in the final move of a swift-flowing opening half. ‘AUDI ATHLONE Man of the Match’ Hayman made the initial thrust and Finn carved a gap through the centre as he angled for a bonus point try on the left which, although not converted, gave the Athlone outfit a healthy 26-10 halftime lead.

Blackrock were more purposeful on the resumption and Keaveny went flying down the left flank to set up Jan-Simon Byrne’s 46th minute try which Keogh converted. As the action moved from end to end, Martin Staunton got a good blockdown on an attempted Rock clearance and this yielded a five-metre scrum after which Carty’s snipe was stopped tantalisingly close to the visitors’ line. Shortly afterwards, Buccs introduced Peter Reilly and Diarmuid Higgins to the front-row and the latter made an immediate impact as he thundered forward before unleashing Hayman who powered in for a magnificent 58th minute try (his second of the match) which Carty converted to restore Buccs 16 points advantage.

But Rock’s response was immediate, substitute Emile van Wyck breaking the home cover for a try which Keogh converted to reduce the visitors’ arrears to 33-24. Blackrock’s more physical pack was now dominating and good interplay was rewarded with Job Langbroek’s 73rd minute touchdown with Keogh converting this bonus point try to leave just two points between the teams. Although the crowd was small, both sets of supporters made themselves heard as an enthralling contest ebbed and flowed. The exertions were taking their toll on the lighter hosts but they responded with some decent pressure from which Carty kicked a wonderful 78th minute drop goal that looked as if it might seal the issue for Buccs. But Blackrock launched one final flurry and Jan-Simon Byrne snaffled a last ditch try on the right to tie the scores. Keogh was unable to convert and so the teams finished level 36-36 after a hectic contest.

Like Ireland, Buccaneers built up a promising first half lead but they just could not hold on to it and, consequently, were very disappointed not to have returned to winning ways. Yet, there was much to enthuse about this after the blip in Belfast, although too many missed first time tackles proved costly and a lack of sheer bulk in the pack remains a concern. Buccs will take solace from scoring 36 points including 5 tries that earned the midlanders 3 points that keeps them in fourth place in a congested bunch trailing leaders Ballynahinch while Blackrock maintained their improved form and have now lost just once in their last six matches.

BUCCANEERS:- M.McCrea; B.Henshaw, C.Finn, A.Hayman, C.FitzGibbon; J.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, G.Halligan, J.Roets; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; L.Satchwell, E.Grace (captain) and D.Heffernan. Replacements:- B.Digby (for Dolan, inj. 19 mins), D.Higgins (for Staunton, 56 mins), P.Reilly (for Roets, 56 mins), P.Maxwell (for Halligan, 68 mins) and R.Taylor.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE:- P.Brougham; J.S.Byrne, R.Keogh, M.McKeever, T.Kevany; D.Godfrey, D.Rowan; R.Fisher, C.Culleton (captain), C.Phillips; D.Dillon, O.Cullen; D.Gannon, P.McCague and J.Langbroek. Replacements:- E.van Wyck (for McKeever, h/t), D.Lewis (for Culleton, h/t), B.Glynn (for Brougham, inj. 43 mins), C.Carroll (for Lewis, inj. 59 mins) and S.Cooke.

REFEREE:- Sean Gallagher (IRFU).

BUCCANEERS ended the first half of this season’s Ulster Bank League Division 1B campaign with a most disappointing display against Belfast Harlequins who claimed a comfortable 27-15 victory at Deramore Park, Belfast, on Saturday. Quins now exchange places with Buccs in the league standings to climb to third on the back of this win. Snow and rain meant that this fixture was contested on a side pitch at the well-appointed venue. Conditions were dull and drizzly for players and a modest attendance alike. Both teams were short some key personnel for a variety of reasons but Buccs seemed to suffer greater as a result and the midlanders pack was in trouble from a very early stage as Quins front five powered on the pressure. Here the guile and leadership of Garreth Halligan and the zestful abrasiveness of Eoghan Grace were particularly missed. The homesters quickly grabbed the momentum with their forwards proving too strong and they regularly used a very effective mauling game that, allayed to Michael Heaney’s kicking, pinned the Pirates back. Buccs defended resolutely and, when they eventually displayed that they too could maul, it led to the game’s opening score after 16 minutes. As Kolo Kiripati made a break from this maul, his opposite number Alastair Heatlie was penalised for a shoulder charge which resulted in a yellow card for the home No. 8. Jack Carty converted the resultant penalty to give Buccs the lead against the run of play. Quins, however, continued to enjoy the majority of possession and territory against disciplined defence by the visitors until the 29th minute when, after David Heffernan was isolated and forced to hold on to possession, Heaney made no mistake with his penalty kick. Three minutes later, Carty had an opportunity to restore the lead but his penalty effort from the ten metre line was wide and thus the sides were level 3-3 at halftime. Mark McCrea and Johannes Roets came on for Buccaneers after the interval but the Athlone side conceded a penalty almost immediately, Heaney converting from in front of the posts. McCrea was indecisive in clearing eight minutes later and, with his side’s scrum creaking once again, Buccs had a let off when Heaney knocked on as he attempted to ground the ball over the midlanders’ line. However, this merely delayed Harlequins opening try after 52 minutes when the Pirates were driven off their own scrum on the right and Michael Kirkwood finished off smart recycling to touch down on the left corner. Heaney’s excellent conversion put Quins 13-3 ahead and it seemed that they would now transfer their dominance on to the scoreboard. The Pirates backline got very few chances with good ball and their forwards were grappling to stem the flow. But with the game going into the final quarter and Quins still within striking distance, the midlanders’ supporters held hope that Buccs might yet illuminate the afternoon if they reproduced some of the sparkling rugby shown in their recent five match winning sequence. However, Darryl Marshall had other ideas and the openside flanker grabbed a brace of tries in as many minutes. His first touchdown on 66 minutes followed sustained pressure on the right while his second try emanated from an ill-judged chip by Carty that was gobbled up by Quins. Heaney added two fine conversions to stretch his side’s lead to 27-3 and a bonus point home win now looked distinctly likely. However, Buccs continued to battle and work and, following McCrea’s strong break down the left, Mark Dolan was nippily up in support for a smartly taken 74th minute try which Carty converted. With the Pirates finally displaying urgency and enterprise, Harlequins play suddenly became nervy and disjointed with Roger Kirkwood making a late trip to the sin bin. Buccs finished with a flourish and Kiripati got away with a knock on as he surged in for an unconverted try in the final move. This improved the scoreline to 27-15 but, in truth, it was much too little far too late for the Athlone outfit whose performance was strangely flat for vast swathes of the game. The pack was outgunned and Buccs’ cause was not helped by too many unforced errors including at least three balls kicked dead in the opening half. It was a baffling and exasperating display, particularly as the team had been on a steady upward curve of late. Frustratingly, a collective malaise seemed to affect most of the players but, nonetheless, Buccaneers are still well placed in fourth berth as the league heads into the second half. Harlequins’ strength was in the power and cohesion of their pack where Michael Ferguson and Richard Lutton were the dominant forces while Heaney was their most effective back.

BUCCANEERS:- R.Taylor; B.Henshaw, M.Fifita, A.Hayman, C.Finn; J.Carty, M.Dolan; M.Staunton, E.O’Brien, P.Reilly; J.Tormey, R.Byrne; D.Heffernan, L.Satchwell and K.Kiripati (captain). Replacements:- P.Maxwell (for Kiripati, inj. 18/30 mins), M.McCrea (for Finn, h/t), J.Roets (for Reilly, h/t), P.Reilly (for Roets, inj. 59 mins), S.Flanagan (for O’Brien, 67 mins), C.Finn (for Fifita, 70 mins), P.Maxwell (for Satchwell, 70 mins) and C.FitzGibbon (for Henshaw, 70 mins).

BELFAST HARLEQUINS:- R.Kirkwood; R.Creighton, W.Stewart, M.Best, M.Kirkwood; M.Kettyle, M.Heaney; M.McGrath, N.Annett, R.Lutton; G.Rourke (captain), M.Ferguson; L.Babe, D.Marshall and A.Heatlie. Replacements:- N.Simpson (for McGrath, 50 mins), K.McComb (for Ferguson, 62 mins), T.Fraser, P.Rea and C.Henderson.

Buccaneers and Ireland U-20 outhalf JACK CARTY was the June winner in the ‘Westmeath Independent/Hodson Bay Hotel Sports Awards’. The annual awards ceremony takes place on February 8th when voting by the public will decide the overall Reader’s Choice winner from the dozen monthly winners. Buccaneers supporters are asked to vote for Jack by texting INDO 6 to 57199. Voting lines are now open until February 7th. Each text costs €1.