Buccs storm to cup victory with dominant display

Buccaneers put in a storming second-half performance to transform their AIB Cup clash against UL Bohemian at windy Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday to reach the last eight of this competition on a 31-13 margin. In the process, Buccs made amends for their league defeat to UL Bohs at the same venue. A victory did not look likely at half-time, although Buccs had their noses in front at that stage, for they led by just the minimum 14-13 despite having had advantage of the considerable breeze in the opening half. Buccs were error-ridden in that first period, especially in the opening quarter, when they persistently conceded often needless penalties, whilst also being guilty of losing possession too easily in contact. UL Bohs looked the far more fluent and threatening side at this stage, enjoying the greater share of territory despite facing the strong breeze that blew straight down the pitch from The Bounty end. But the homesters eliminated errors on the restart, were much more forceful yet disciplined on the turnaround as they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, keeping the visitors surprisingly scoreless in that second half. The players got a bit of a rollicking at the break and, on this occasion, they obviously listened and reacted positively to gradually impose themselves on the proceedings. Half-time substitutions also helped greatly for Buccs who were missing locks Louie Tonkin (ill), Anthony Hughes (hernia) and Alamoti TePou (not returned from New Zealand) while concern over Kolo Kiripati"s shoulder injury meant that the influential Samoan flanker was rested. James Tormey and David Gannon manned the second row while Colin Watters got his first taste of competitive action at wing-forward. UL Bohs too had a number of absentees and had to rejig their three-quarters line, when centre Giles Boland broke a tooth in their pre-match warm-up. Skipper Martin McPhail switched to the centre with Munster manager Shaun Payne starting on the right wing. UL Bohs settled into their stride fairly quickly, helped by Buccs conceding no less than three penalties in the opening five minutes. Aidan McNulty landed a fine sixth minute penalty against the breeze to open the scoring. The midlanders nabbed a try somewhat against the run of play after 12 minutes, Gaughan doing well to break forward and commit the opposition before off-loading to Sean Carey, who scampered away for a try which Gaughan converted. This smartly taken try still did not spark Buccs into life and, ten minutes later, a series of good, sustained phases by the Limerick side yielded a fine O"Donnell try which McNulty converted to put the visitors 10-7 ahead. After 29 minutes, John O"Brien had to recover and put in a superb try-saving tackle on the speedy Doyle to deny UL Bohs a seemingly certain try but, within a minute, Gaughan"s attempt to intercept was deemed a deliberate knock-on by World Cup Final referee Alain Rolland and McNulty duly extended Bohs" advantage with the resultant penalty. Buccs had been at sixes and sevens more or less from the start but were now beginning to get more consistency and shape into their play. Mark Bruce made a decent break from the base of a scrum, Simon Rolleston then made good ground shortly afterwards, before a third promising raid was finished off in style by Kieran O"Gorman for a 35th minute try which Gaughan converted. This nosed Buccs 14-13 ahead, a lead they held at half-time. Buccaneers introduced Connacht duo Danny Riordan and Conor O"Loughlin at the interval, while Benny Gilligan returned after injury for ill prop Kevin Moran. Buccs were far more urgent and cohesive on the restart and, within three minutes, following good work in midfield possession was transferred to Carey, who hared through for a fine try which Gaughan converted against the still strong elements. This extended Buccs" cushion and instilled confidence and self-belief in the squad. In the 59th minute, the killer score arrived with Alex Hayman making a powerful break through the middle that was carried on by O"Gorman who laid off for Riordan to touch down for a try. Gaughan was much too casual with the conversion from almost straight in front of the posts and his placekick tailed wide but Buccs now led by double scores 26-13. Buccaneers sealed the issue in the final minute in what the players might claim was a 'carefully constructed practice-ground move'! Pressure from Buccs yielded a long lecture to a UL Bohs player and a relatively straight-forward home penalty but Gaughan"s kick soared upwards almost like a "garryowen". However, Rolleston spared the centre"s blushes as he soared forward to snaffle possession from a bemused UL defence to crash over for an unlikely type of try which was not converted. Hanley was hugely influential throughout, much to the chagrin of his critics, and he was duly named "OYSTERhomes Man of the Match", while O"Loughlin was as eager as a love-struck beaver, always probing and harrying following his introduction. Carey is getting his cutting edge back again while Riordan"s pace was a plus for Buccs in that decisive second half. The home front row was comfortable throughout and Gannon put in a good deal of solid work. O"Donnell was top-class for the visitors, whose hooker Batt Duggan also put in a huge effort while the mazy running of captain McPhail posed constant problems for the home defence. Buccaneers" reward for victory is a St. Valentine"s Day quarter-final away to Garryowen at Dooradoyle. BUCCANEERS: N.O"Hara (capt.); J.O"Brien, A.Gaughan, A.Hayman, S.Carey; S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; M.Diffley, G.Halligan, K.Moran; D.Gannon, J.Tormey; C.Watters, K.O"Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacements: B.Gilligan (for Moran, h-t); C.O"Loughlin (for Bruce, h-t); D.Riordan (for O"Hara, h-t); B.McManus (for O"Gorman, 64 mins); G.Kelly (for Halligan, 78). UL BOHEMIAN: E.Torrie; M.Doyle, M.Kinsella, M.McPhail (capt.), S.Payne; A.McNulty, C.Delooze; R.Feeney, B.Duggan, M.Storey; J.O"Neill, D.Foley; K.Bracken, T.O"Donnell and K.Essex. Replacements: P.Grennell (for Essex, 51 mins); F.Lawler (for McNulty, 57); M.Butler (for Torrie, 60); E.Rossiter (for O"Donnell, 65). REFEREE: Alain Rolland (Leinster).