Buccs prove too strong for Creggs in U-17 decider

A physically stronger and more rounded Buccaneers squad overpowered Creggs 42-8 in the Connacht U-17 Cup final at The Green, Creggs, on Sunday.

After weathering a promising start by the homesters, Buccs took a firm grip on the proceedings in front of a big crowd at the Co. Galway venue where the outcome was rarely in doubt after the opening quarter.

In near ideal conditions, Creggs opened the scoring with Kaylum Curran’s second-minute penalty punishing an offside infringement. Encouraged by their vocal supporters, the hosts made life difficult in the early exchanges with the Buccs pack, featuring a number of changes from their semi-final win and with Ruairi Dolan on the injured list, taking time to get to grips with their opponents.

Then a number of turnovers began to get the Pirates on the front foot and Andrew Cotton struck from his own half for a smashing 12th-minute try which he also converted.

Following a Buccs penalty punted to touch, Creggs won the lineout but a grubber kick was blocked down in midfield, and Reuben Colleran was on to the ball in a flash to break through a number of tackles and sprint in for a 21st-minute try at the uprights with Cotton tapping over the conversion. The full-back had a rare miss from placed balls with a penalty earned by a quick tap just two minutes later.

However, almost immediately, Buccs won a scrum on the home 22 following a knock-on and the ball was moved swiftly to Philip Finnan who weaved his way through the home defence with great speed and dexterity to score a lovely 24th-minute try. Cotton duly added the conversion which gave Buccaneers a fine 21-3 lead at the interval.

Four minutes after the change of ends, Buccs were on the offensive again as Hugo McGowan’s smart break brought them close to the Creggs line where their pressure was rewarded with

Nathan Kelly applying the finishing touch for his side’s fourth try.

Seven minutes later, Alex Connor capitalised on Buccs applying pressure near the halfway line to secure possession and the winger darted down the right flank before diving over for a try between the uprights. Cotton converted both tries to stretch Buccaneers lead to 35-3.

Creggs continued to battle and were rewarded for their sustained efforts when Sam Walsh found space on the right to score an unconverted try near the corner flag. Their contribution to the final warranted a better scoring return as the scoring margin did not really reflect their endeavours and they were unable to add to their tally following a close-in lineout.

Instead, it was Buccs who regained possession and Oisin O’Donoghue found a gap in the home rearguard to release his fellow centre Finnan. Finnan had been unlucky moments earlier when his chip ahead went that bit too far ahead but, with his pace, there was no catching him as he sped 75 metres to touchdown at the posts. Cotton, who had earlier missed a second penalty, continued his flawless conversion kicks, notching six out of six, to seal Buccaneers 42-8 victory.

This is a very strong and promising squad, who recorded an U-16 League and Cup double last season and they wound up the playing season in fitting style. Skipper Ciaran West led by example in a hard-working pack that maintained constant pressure on their opponents all around the paddock with Evin Claffey and No.8 Nathan Kelly putting in trojan efforts. Scrum-half McGowan cajoled his teammates throughout into giving of their best and, with ball in hand, all the backs posed a considerable threat especially Cotton, Finnan and O’Donoghue.

On behalf of Connacht Rugby, Robert Lahiff complimented both squads and their mentors on some splendid rugby and encouraged the young players to keep on playing before presenting the Cyril Shaw Memorial Perpetual Cup to victorious Buccaneers captain Ciaran West.

Buccaneers: A. Cotton; O. Egan, P. Finnan, O. O’Donoghue, A. Connor; D. Glennon, H. McGowan; C. West (captain), J. Kelly, A. Brown; P. Bourke, E. Claffey; H. Hannon, R. Colleran, N. Kelly. Replacements: D. Dullea, D. Cleary, E. O’Sullivan, T. Coleman, J. Okebenro, S. Nugent, L. Leshona, E. Dunning, N. Duffy and A. Milik.

Creggs: J. Finn; I. Bikoi, D. Kelly, C. Fitzmaurice, D. Fallon; K. Curran (captain), J. Dolan; J. Walsh, R. Webb, C. Diffley; P. O’Farrell, H. Kilcoyne; J. Trundle, M. McSharry, C. Kiernan. Replacements: T. Tumbek, I. Tsatiashvilli, J. Keane, P. Murray, J. Kelly, S. Walsh, P. Conneally, D. Mrozek, D. Fleming, C. Hannon and B. O’Connor.

Referee: Cian Hough (Connacht).