Buccs U17s seal final place with win over Ballinasloe

Buccaneers emphatically defeated Ballinasloe amid the sunshine at Dubarry Park, thereby qualifying for the prestigious Connaught U-17 Cup final, where they will meet Monivea on the Sunday after Easter. Having came from behind to defeat Galwegians 17-12 at Glenina in the previous round, Buccs carved out a convincing victory over Ballinaslose, crossing for three well-worked tries after just 15 minutes. The first two of these tries came from the finishing expertise of Conor FitzGibbon who, in a splendid showing, also laid off the ball for the third try, scored by captain James Donoghue. The visitors were a little shell-shocked at this early stage with the speed and accuracy of the Buccs interpassing. In the first half a single kickable penalty was conceded to the visitors and although it was into a stiff breeze, the opportunity was capably converted from forty yards. Meantime, a further well taken try by Conor Seery left the score at 22-3 at the break. In the unfortunate absence through injury of influential centre Mel Corbett, Conor Seery was called in from his more usual wing position to a new role and acquitted himself very well. Hopefully Corbett will recover and return to action very soon. The second half saw Ballinasloe with wind advantage and they were winning ample possession, but their passing moves out of defence often broke down. Much of the second half was spent in the visitors' half and apart from some phases of patterned work, both teams cancelled each other out. However, Buccs did score further tries by Seery and winger Conor Hanniffy, while Cian Reilly embarked on a memorable run, leaving three opposition tacklers grasping at thin air, as he weaved all of fifty yards along the stand side to the try line. The pick of the forwards were Tadhg Hennessy and the ever dangerous Aidan Connaughton, again making a huge impact in lineouts and attacking around the fringes of rucks, while Jack Linnane provided full-back support with excellent fielding and kicking all day. The link between the backs and forwards was provided most efficiently by wily scrum-half Robert Corcoran, who hit his half-back partner Robbie Henshaw with timely and accurate ball that allowed him set the three quarter line into forward motion. Occasionally Corcoran was not protected at the lineout and had no chance to pass and he took responsibility himself bringing the ball back into the security of his supporting pack. In tricky wind conditions, three of the six tries - none of which were touched down under the posts - and one penalty were soundly converted by Henshaw. The fitness of some of the panel was a little disappointing for this time of the season and this allowed lighter opposition forwards to respond more quickly at the breakdown, and this will have to be addressed before meeting the ever-determined Monivea side in the final, where no ball will go uncontested. Thanks are due to Billy Henshaw and his grandfather of the same name for recording this game for team video analysis. BUCCANEERS: Bryan Teape, Damien Hyland, Lee McLoughlin, Simon Garvey, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Seery, Tadhg Hennessy, Cian Bradley, Robert Corcoran, Aidan Conaughton, Barry Digby, Mel Corbett, Glen Carey, John Dooley, James Donoghue, Jack Linnane, Colm Conroy, Cian Reilly, Daniel McNeill, Conor FitzGibbon, Jack Donoghue, Eoghan Kelly, John Dooley, Dylan Lynch, Ben Carty, Eoghan O'Reilly.