Buccs fail to build on good start as Galwegians claim victory
Buccaneers gave a most disappointing display when succumbing 25-13 to Galwegians in their Connacht Senior League match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, where the visitors took an immediate and vital step in their bid to wrest the league crown back from their arch-rivals. In truth, it was a poor enough contest throughout between two sides who will surely have to work hard and improve noticeably before the AIB League kicks off on October 4th; otherwise, both will be destined for daunting campaigns. Buccs will point to the long list of absentees but, nevertheless, they were sluggish and lacked leadership despite a tonic start. They were cleaned out in the lineout duel and their new signings, Kolo Kiripati apart, did not distinguish themselves on this showing, while a lack of real pace in the backline was apparent. Despite their dreadful start, Galwegians settled to the task on hand and made far better use of the breeze on the turnaround. It would be difficult to select a man of this match but right wing John Cleary posed problems for the home side whenever he was in possession. They were also more urgent for the final hour and cuter too. The match kicked off half-an-hour late in good conditions but Buccaneers, aided by the elements, looked more organised and purposeful early on. Twice the visitors knocked on close to their line in the opening exchanges and, from the second incident, Adrian Hanley picked from the back of the Buccs scrum to barge over in the right corner for a 4th minute try. Alan Gaughan landed a superb touchline conversion and his penalty kick then put Buccs 10-0 ahead in as many minutes. Gaughan was then off-target with a long penalty before Buccs missed a real try opportunity on 32 minutes, when Sean Brady chased up a kick ahead but could not link up with Niall Lear. The homesters paid dearly for this within three minutes when Cleary quickly tapped a penalty and this led ultimately to Ivan Muldoon getting in for a try close to the right flag for a timely tonic try for the visitors, whose deficit was now only 10-5 at the break despite being outplayed if not outsmarted in that opening period. Robert O"Beirne missed a straight-forward penalty within moments of the restart but Galwegians soon forged ahead, Ross Shaughnessy"s crossfield ball catching Buccs stretched and Kevin Higgins embarrassed Gaughan in the corner before scampering in for a 43th minute try which O"Beirne converted. Gaughan too was off-target with a 51st minute penalty but O"Beirne"s range was good with place-kicks in quick succession on 54 and 56 minutes to stretch the visitors" lead to 18-10, before Gaughan reduced the arrears with a penalty just before the hour mark. Substitute Cormac O"Beirne"s deft pass to Chris Brigl made an immediate impact on his introduction but the South African centre still had much to do but he did so in style slipping by three would-be tacklers all too easily for a very smartly taken 72nd minute try which full-back O"Beirne duly converted to complete the scoring. SCORERS - Buccaneers: Adrian Hanley try; Alan Gaughan 2 pens & con. Galwegians: Ivan Muldoon try, Kevin Higgins try, Chris Brigl try; Robert O"Beirne 2 pens & 2 cons. BUCCANEERS: N.O"Hara (captain); A.Gaughan, N.Lear, S.Brady, C.Lavelle; S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; G.McGill, G.Kelly, K.Moran; B.McManus, L.Tonkan; K.Kiripati, K.O"Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacements used:- A.Hughes (for Tonkan, 60 mins), S.Stapleton (for Kelly, 60 mins), E.Brady (for McGill, 70 mins) and K.Creaven (for O"Gorman, 78 mins). GALWEGIANS: R.O"Beirne; J.Cleary, C.Brigl, K.Higgins, C.O"Freighill; R.Shaughnessy, B.Draper; D.O"Connell, A.O"Sullivan, J.Stephens; L.Scahill, B.McClearn; I.Muldoon (captain), M.McCarthy and L.Casserly. Replacements used:- B.McGovern (for O"Connell, 54 mins) and C.O"Beirne (for Shaughnessy, 70 mins). REFEREE: Tom Horkan (Connacht). SENIORS HOME TO CORINTHIANS BUCCANEERS are home again on Saturday when they face Corinthians in the second round of the Connacht Senior League. The holders will need to show marked and swift improvement at Dubarry Park on this occasion when Alex Hayman and Garrett Halligan may be fit to return to action.