Buccs Thirds continue their winning streak

This match was originally scheduled for Ferbane but the pitch there was water-logged and, to their credit, West Offaly Lions agreed to switch the fixture to Dubarry Park, where the visitors went down by 39-3 in this Connacht J2 League match on Sunday as Buccs Thirds stretched their unbeaten league run to nine wins with a hard fought victory. Buccaneers elected to play into a stiff wind in soggy conditions in the first half when tactics were dictated by the deteriorating underfoot conditions with Buccs using their piano movers, Eddie Brady and Ritchie Curley, to good effect in front of a fair-sized crowd. Ten minutes into the game Buccaneers scored a try wide on the right after Mossy Turley bullied his way over. Keith O"Neill added what seemed an impossible conversion to give Buccs a seven points advantage. West Offaly narrowly missed a penalty following a good attack but Buccaneers broke down field with Mossy Turley at hand to charge in at the corner for his second try and Darren Costello was unlucky with the conversion attempt. Just before half-time, West Offaly missed another kickable penalty to leave Buccs with a 12-0 half time lead. The second half started brightly for West Offaly after they hit the target with a penalty to reduce their arrears but O"Neill was on target minutes later with a penalty to restore Buccs twelve points advantage. Much to the delight of the good number of die hard fans in attendance, the game started to open up with Enda Haughey adding a try converted by Karl Turley (100% kicking record on the day) and a Dave Dunning try after a fantastic 15 metre maul from a line-out. O"Neill missed the conversion to leave the score 27-3 in favour of Buccs. Both sides made substitutions early in the second half but the difference was the quality Buccs had on the bench. Any team in the competition would love to have players with the quality of Adam Daly, Patrick Hynes, Mick Donohoe, Nigel So and Mark (Frosty) O"Carroll. With the fresh legs added, Buccs closed out the game with a try from O"Carroll following a great run by Cormac Sheehy. Brady was wide with the conversion attempt! The game finished as it started with another barnstorming run by Mossy Turley as he completed his hat-trick. Much to the delight of the crowd Brady was on target with the conversion to leave the final score Buccaneers 39, West Offaly Lions 3. In a good all-round team performance Man of the match was Mossy Turley with best support in the forwards from his brother Karl, Mark Coleman, Dunning and Brady. The backs played well given the conditions with Brian Lennon and the two 'Shaughs' David and John O" putting in good performances. All the subs used took the opportunity to stake serious claims on starting positions and the management team can look forward to some interesting selection headaches, especially with players like Richard Johnston, John Seery and Aidan Ryan due to return. BUCCANEERS: K. O"Neill; C. Sheehy, D. O"Shaughnessy, J. O"Shaughnessy, C. Flynn; D. Costello, B. Lennon; R. Curley, E. Haughey, E. Brady; M. Coleman, D. Dunning; K. Sloyan, K. Turley and M. Turley. Replacements used: A. Daly (for Curley), N. So (for Costello), M. Donohoe (for O"Neill), P. Hynes (for Lennon) and M. O"Carroll (for Flynn). MONIVEA 0 BUCCANEERS 20 BUSY BUCCANEERS THIRDS carved out their tenth successive Connacht J2 League victory with another away win, this time accounting for Monivea 20-0 at the Castle Grounds on Saturday evening. The midlanders put in another controlled and sustained performance that confirmed their table-topping status despite again being short a number of key regulars. These included wily veteran Keith O"Neill (who is preparing for his nuptials!) and Karl Turley so place-kicking options were limited and, disappointingly, none of Buccs" four tries were converted. The Athlone outfit scored two tries in each half with both first half tries being the product of fairly similar moves. Pat Hynes was first to touchdown following a line-out and a drive over the home line. Kieran Sloyan repeated the feat before the break when Buccs led 10-0. In the second half, a good Conor Flynn kick ahead was capitalised on by Nigel So for a well-taken try before "Man of the Match" (again) Mossy Turley broke from the base of a ruck to nab the fourth try. He was the outstanding performer on the field with good assistance in the pack from props Eddie Brady and Richard Johnston in a well-drilled and effective unit. Flynn and John O"Shaughnessy formed a solid centre partnership while Cormac Sheehy instilled confidence from fullback. Buccaneers are home to Corinthians this weekend in the next series of Connacht J2 League fixtures. BUCCANEERS: C. Sheehy; M. O"Carroll, C. Flynn, J. O"Shaughnessy, N. So; D. Costello, B. Lennon; E. Brady, E. Haughey, R. Johnston; P. Hynes, M. Coleman; K. Sloyan, D. Dunning and M. Turley. Replacements used A. Daly and R. Curley. FOUR BUCCANEERS PLAYERS IN IRELAND SQUAD Four of Buccaneers rising starlets have been included in the Ireland U-18 squad that heads off to the European Championships next month. These finals take place in Toulon, France, from April 5th to 11th. It is unique that four players from one club have been selected and is a huge honour, not only for these youngsters Mark Dolan, Calum Boland, Daniel Qualter and Jack Carty, but also for the Buccaneers club. It is testimony to the coaching and hard work being put in at underage level in the club and we wish them every success in this tournament. Staying with International matters, Paul Harte and Paul Galvin both featured in Irish Colleges 36-11 victory in Scotland. However, despite a Kevin Moran try, Ireland lost their Club encounter with their Scottish counterparts on a 31-18 scoreline. Disappointingly, a below par U-20 display ended in a 35-20 defeat. However, the Senior side is still very much on course to claim the Championship while victory over Wales on Saturday evening would also secure a so elusive "Grand Slam" at this level. So, 'COME ON, IRELAND'!