Published: Wednesday, 9th December, 2009 5:50pm

Buccs seconds defeated after extra time

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UCG 14 Buccaneers 10

Buccaneers reserves have been knocked out of the Heineken Connacht Junior Cup at the first hurdle after a heartbreaking extra-time 14-10 defeat to University College, Galway, at Dangan on Sunday.

Buccaneers had the better of the early exchanges with their bigger and more physical pack making the difference. As the game progressed, the home side grew in confidence and started to use their talented back line to good effect. They crossed late in the first half after some shocking missed tackles for a converted try to lead 7-0 at the interval.

The second half started where the first half ended with the students throwing the ball around in difficult conditions and were unlucky not to extend their advantage while Buccs were reduced to 14 men with an inspired yellow card. A series of 5 metre scrums looked certain to yield a levelling score but a combination of the home side's front row's refusal to stay down and poor refereeing decisions helped to frustrate Buccs. With only seconds left in the game Buccaneers looked certain to score but the home side killed the ball and Buccs opted for the scrum. Adrian Hughes crashed over in the corner to set up the conversion attempt to level the match. Darren Costello stepped up knowing it was the last kick of the game (the ref reminded him at length) but he slotted over to send the game into extra-time.

The first half of extra-time was dominated by Buccaneers with Darren Costello dropping a goal from 40 metres to send Buccs into the lead for the first time. Cormac O'Keefee made a great break, drew the last defender and passed to Declan Byrne with a 20-metre run in for a score that would have finished the game, but the ref ruled the pass forward from 15 metres behind play after a shout from the home supporters!

The second half of extra-time saw Buccs tire badly and the students take control of the game. From a scrum on the Buccaneers 22, the UCG outhalf spotted no defender deep and chipped ahead and won the race for the touchdown. The try was converted and the game was over.

Buccaneers travelled to Dangan with only 16 players and had to use their only replacement when Darragh Lennon was introduced midway through the first half for the injured Anthony Hughes. UCG had a full compliment of 20 and were able to freshen their team late on and this made a telling difference. Disappointingly too many players were unable to travel for various reasons with one player crying off 50 minutes before the team were due to travel. The best players for Buccaneers on the day were Kevin Creavin (returning after a long injury break), Paul Galvin and Adrian Hughes in the pack with the half back pairing of O'Keefee and Costello the pick of the backs.

Buccaneers: Cormac Sheehy; Ger Walsh, Michael Donohoe, Declan Byrne, Ian Kilbride; Darren Costello, Cormac O'Keeffe; Liam Doran, Stephen Woods, Greg McGill; Anthony Hughes, Paul Galvin; David Dunning, Kevin Creavin and Adrian Hughes (capt.). Replacement: Darragh Lennon (for Anthony Hughes, inj.)