Buccs U-20s secure place

BUCCANEERS advanced to the final of the Connacht U-20 Cup when they defeated Connemara 36-15 in a lively semi-final contest under the Dubarry Park floodlights. Buccs were missing a number of key personnel including Adam Kennedy, Keelan Headd, Stuart Draper and Terry Hynes for various reasons but were still expected to prove too strong for the Blacks. The visitors, however, were willing battlers who made Buccs work very hard for their win on a nippy night. The homesters were quick to settle and put Connemara on the back foot early on and they duly opened the scoring with a pushover try by Henry Reilly after only 7 minutes. Although David Fagan was unable to convert, Buccs continued to force the pace but over-elaboration cost them despite having several scoring chances. It took them fifteen minutes to add their tally, deputy No. 8 Reilly stepping on the gas down the right flank for a well-taken try which Fagan converted. The midlanders were particularly dominant in the scrums and it was no surprise that they extended their lead on 33 minutes when Connemara native John O"Brien joined the line and drew the cover before releasing possession to Paudge O"Donnell who dotted down for a try wide on the left. Fagan"s conversion fell short but Buccs were now well in control and 17-0 ahead. Connemara rallied before the break and Sean Joyce"s penalty with the final kick of the half left them 17-3 adrift at the interval. Buccs made three substitutions during the break but they soon added another try, Rory Walshe getting through on the left after Conor Murtagh quickly tapped a 43rd minute penalty. Seven minutes later, Shane O"Neill displayed deft footwork and awareness to create a gap through which he galloped in for a try which Fagan converted to stretch the advantage to 29-3. Buccs hereafter steadily emptied their bench but the Blacks continued to battle and their endeavours were rewarded with an Ian McDonagh try after they ran a number of kickable penalties. But Buccaneers put the issue beyond any doubt when they showed some sublime handling in an excellent counter-attack that yielded a Billy Henshaw try which Fagan converted. Connemara persisted with their gallant endeavours and indeed were the dominant force in the final quarter but all they had to show for their industry was a 67th minute Cathal King try which Joyce converted to complete the 36-15 scoreline in favour of Buccaneers. Connemara are to be lauded on fielding mid-week and also for their never-say-die spirit which did not wilt even when Buccs were on top for long spells. Joyce was a decent stand-off while centre Paddy Madden looked a classy player while their pack continued the good fight to the bitter end. Buccs were the more fluent and cohesive outfit but, nevertheless, will need to sharpen up and be less selfish and more clinical if they are to prevail in the final. Murtagh excelled in the home backline where sub Darragh Mooney also caught the eye while the Buccs pack as a unit had too much power and guile for the westerners. BUCCANEERS: J. O"Brien; E. Doolan, B. Henshaw, R. Walshe, P. O"Donnell; D. Fagan, C. Murtagh; N. Harney (captain), D. Burns, C. Higgins; S. O"Neill, R. Byrne; P. Robinson, K. Creaven and H. Reilly. Replacements: D. Mooney (for O"Brien, h-t), D. Egan (for Reilly, h-t), L. Doran (for Higgins, h-t), R. Grennan (for O"Neill, 60 mins), R. Ahearne (for O"Donnell, 64), L. Walshe (for Creaven, 70), G. Fallon (for Doolan, 70).