Buccaneers touch rugby players shine at Junior European Championships

Buccaneers touch rugby players returned savoured success at the European Junior Touch Championships in Coventry returning from the tournament with a number of medals.

Buccaneers’ Aoibhín Tynan was selected for the Ireland Mixed U20s squad, but unfortunately picked up an injury in the very first game and had to sit out the rest of the tournament.

The Mixed U20s reached the final where they achieved victory against pre-tournament favourites England, winning 9-6 with a very strong second half performance. They held the home side to just one try in the second half while scoring five tries over the period.

Aoibhín picked up a gold medal which would have lessened the disappointment of missing out on competing at the tournament.

John and Philip Finnan were also key players for Ireland Mixed U20s with John finishing as top scorer on 14 tries as well being named tournament 'MVP'. The two brothers linked up in the end zone for one crucial score in the final.

Niamh Purtill was co-captain of the Ireland Mixed U18s team who picked up a silver medal. This Irish team beat Scotland, Belgium, Cayman Islands and Lebanon to reach the semi-final where they beat Belgium 12-9. Unfortunately, England proved too strong for them in the final, winning 13-3.

Niamh was one of the stars for the team with a commentator describing her in one game as a "rock at the heart of the Irish defence".

Niamh also showed up well in attack, scoring against Belgium and Lebanon. On top of all that, she became the first Buccaneers touch player to reach 40 international caps in the game against the Cayman Islands.

Buccaneers’ Mollie Quinn was competing in her third international tournament and she captained the Girls U18s to a bronze medal in their division. Local players Caitlin Bastic and Mya Gill were also part of the Girls U18s squad and they made their international debuts in the competition.

Oisín Moran and the Ireland Boys 18s team came close to a bronze medal but Wales were too strong winning 11-5 in the third place play-off.

He scored four tries during the competition and impressed in what was his first tournament. Oisín has shown great dedication to touch rugby, regularly travelling from his home in Tullamore to train with Buccaneers.

Rory Delaney was the youngest and newest Buccaneers touch player at the tournament. He helped his team to fifth place and scored a try in the play-off against Portugal which Ireland won 5-4.