Buccs defeat Connemara in Connacht League opener

BUCCANEERS made a low key but winning start to their competitive season when defeating Connemara 22-7 in the opening round of the Connacht Senior League at Monastery Field, Clifden, on Saturday. The midlanders fielded a quite depleted and experimental squad, yet possessed too much nous and guile for their hosts on the western seaboard. Buccs got off to a promising start when young lock Rory Byrne made a nice break for a try after only 6 minutes. With minimal match practice to date, both sides were rusty and the proceedings were somewhat stopstart. The Athlone outfit got a tonic just before half-time when substitute Sean Stapleton intercepted inside his own 22 and the hooker made it all the way to the home line for a timely try which Alex Hayman converted to give Buccaneers a 12-0 lead at the interval. With a number of players playing out of position, Buccs continued to work on some matters as the game progressed and play was unusually more loose than usual but they sealed the outcome when Rory O'Connor used his pace to good effect to capitalise on a neat chip ahead for his side's third try, which was converted by Ger Fallon. The Blacks battled typically to the bitter end and got some reward for their endeavours with a late converted try to complete the 22-7 scoreline. Paul Harte was busy as ever at centre where young flanker Jack O'Carroll did well as his partner. Clifden native John O'Brien's opportunities at fullback were limited due to lack of possession while O'Connor lost balls on a number of occasions. Biggest worry was a bad gash sustained by key operator Hayman, forcing his withdrawal from the fray. In the pack, Eoin Rooney was the most impressive performer on the day, putting in a huge amount of valuable hard graft. Props John Rowe and Tomas Bennett will face sterner tests ahead when better judgment can be made on their potential. Although Connemara had a torrid season in the All Ireland League last year, Clifden is not an easy ground to come away from with a win and, with Peter Bracken coaching the Blacks, they will surely progress. Nevertheless, Buccs will be content to have opened the competitive action with a win as they bid to retain their league title. BUCCANEERS: J.O'Brien; R.O'Connor, P.Harte, J.O'Carroll, C.Lavelle; A.Hayman, G.Fallon; T.Bennett, G.Halligan, J.Lowe; R.Byrne, J.Tormey; M.Ward, E.Rooney and K.Kiripati (captain). Replacements used:- M.Staunton, S.Stapleton, C.Molloy and R.Walshe. Cardiac Arrest win 'SuperValu Sevens' 'Larry's Cardiac Arrest' used their wealth of experience to come out tops in the "Supervalu Athlone 7's" tournament contested in near ideal conditions at Dubarry Park. They paced themselves cutely in the warm weather to put themselves in a winning position and then had the craft to close out the final which they won 19-14 against a younger "Pick'n'Mix" squad. Both teams were worthy finalists, their endeavours in the respective Pool matches ensuring their passages to the decider. "Larry's Cardiac Arrest" were the dominant force in the opening half, building up a 12-0 advantage through tries, one of which was converted, by southern hemisphere natives Kolo Kiripati and Mata Fifita who thrive on the running game played in the sunshine. However, "Pick'n'Mix" (living up to their name being comprised of players from Tullamore, Ferbane and the host club) stormed back in the third quarter to take a 14-12 lead through converted tries by Domhnall Corbett and Rory Walshe and it looked like the momentum was on the side of youth. However, "Larry's" did not suffer "Cardiac Arrest" when the pressure came on at this change of fortunes, and some clever play was finished off by the forceful running of Fifita for a smashing solo try which he also converted to seal the spoils. "Larry's Cardiac Arrest": B.Gilligan (captain), K.Kiripati, M.Fifita, A.Hanley, P.Byrne, S.Byrne, B.Campbell, M.Diffley, N.McManus and B.Kelly. "Pick'n'Mix": T.Gilligan, D.Corbett, R.Walshe, C.Malone, R.Clancy, O.McIntyre, R.Scally, D.Lowry and T.Couper. Plate final In the Plate final, "Stragglers" belied their moniker to fashion a comprehensive 31-7 victory over an exhuberant but inexperienced "Springbuccs" outfit while "McGrubbers" prevailed in the Bowl final after finishing level 19-19 against a "Buccs U-21s" combination in normal time. They took the honours here by virtue of scoring first in 'sudden death'. Club President Ted Carty presented triumphant captain Benny Gilligan of "Larry's Cardiac Arrest" with the winners' cheque. He complimented the victors and acknowledged the endeavours of all teams who participated. He also acknowledged the input of the referees and thanked the tournament organisers, particularly Alex Hayman, Geoff Kenny and Charlie Couper. Ted was particularly grateful to the generous sponsorship provided particularly by Smith's SuperValu and he also thanked Panther Sports, Celtic Pure Water and Q Night Club for their support of the event.