Buccs go top in Connacht Senior League with win over Connemara

BUCCANEERS took some time to impose their superiority on Connemara before eventually proving too strong for the Clifden outfit 29-11 in their Connacht Senior League joust at the Monastery Field on Saturday. Indeed, the Blacks led narrowly 6-5 after the opening half contested in drizzly conditions out west, but a depleted Buccs squad tacked on four tries in the second period to ease to a comfortable victory. With Kevin Moran and Louie Tonkin both ill, they were replaced by Greg McGill and Anthony Hughes respectively for Buccaneers who also started Declan Byrne in place of Sean Brady in a much-altered three-quarters line, where Alan Gaughan formed a youthful partnership with Paul Harte in the centre and Niall Lear reverted to the wing. Alamoti TePou was another absentee due to an injury sustained in training but Alex Hayman made a welcome return to action after his recent injury troubles. However, Garreth Halligan, Michael Diffley and Sean Carey remain injury worries. Overall, it was a relatively open contest with Buccs still not consistently applying clinical finishing although this improved noticeably on the turnover. They again had yellow card difficulties, Brendan McManus in the first half and Kolo Kiripati in the second segment both visiting the sin bin while Connemara had one player binned. A brace of Venni Bester penalties helped the Blacks to their minimal advantage at half-time, Buccs skipper Niall O"Hara responding with a try finishing off a fine backs" movement. But the visitors were much more purposeful and focused for the greater part of the second period as they notched tries by Gavin Kelly, Adrian Hanley and Byrne while Gaughan touched down too and also kicked a pair of conversions. Veteran Bernard Keaney showed that there"s life in the old dog yet with a home try deep into added time to put a better look on the scoreboard. Kiripati and Kieran O"Gorman were pick of the midlanders" pack in which the backrow was the most effective sector while Simon Rolleston was best of the backs with Hayman too making his presence felt when introduced. With Corinthians surprising Galway rivals Galwegians, it is a three-way tie atop the Connacht Senior League as "Wegians were conceded a walkover by Connemara in an earlier round. At time of writing, it could not be ascertained to whom or how the title was going to be awarded but Buccaneers have scored the most points and tries and also possess the greater points difference. However, we will have to check further and await the outcome, but Connemara may well yet have to face Galwegians to decide matters. SCORERS - Buccaneers: A.Gaughan (try & 2 cons); N.O"Hara, G.Kelly, A.Hanley & D.Byrne (try each). Connemara: V.Bester (2 pens); B.Keaney (try). BUCCANEERS: N.O"Hara (capt/); N.Lear, P.Harte, A.Gaughan, D.Byrne; S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; B.Gilligan, G.Kelly, G.McGill; B.McManus, A.Hughes; K.Kiripati, K.O"Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacements used:- A.Daly (for McGill), F.Sweeney (for Harte) and A.Hayman (for Lear). DRAPER TAILORS U-20 WIN Buccaneers 10 Newbridge 3 BUCCANEERS recorded their second friendly victory when they edged out Newbridge 10-3 in a well-contested U-20 match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. This squad is still very much a 'work in progress' and, due to Connacht"s fixture, a number of key players were not available. However, this presented opportunities to other upcoming players to test their mettle in what was an earnest battle. Peter Sutton opened the scoring for the visitors after 17 minutes with a debatable penalty after a home player was penalised for not releasing possession. But Buccs were level within three minutes when a visiting player did not roll away after tackling and Terry Hynes duly punished this indiscretion. It remained 3-3 at the interval. Scores were surprisingly hard to come by, not helped by some poor handling on occasion from both sides, but tackling throughout was generally crisp and committed so gaps were hard found. Hynes looked like he added to his tally just three minutes after the change of ends but the referee adjudged a double movement in the out-half"s endeavours to touch down. Buccs applied considerable pressure in the third quarter and, just when it looked as if Newbridge had survived this difficult spell, centre Colin Draper intercepted pressurised passing by the visitors to snaffle possession and coast in for a try at the posts which Hynes converted close to the three-quarters stage. Despite the best efforts of both sets of players, these proved the only scores of the second half and thus Buccs (who are thankful to A.I.T. for use of their jerseys due to clash of colours) made in two wins from both opening friendly matches. BUCCANEERS: R.Aherne; E.Doolan, C.Draper, R.Walsh, J.Keegan; T.Hynes, C.Worley; L.Doran, H.Reilly, J.J.Carey; K.Head, R.Byrne; L.Walsh (captain), K.Creaven and J.Kenny. Replacements used:- S.O"Neill (for L. Walsh), D.Egan (for Reilly), N.Harney (for Doran), A.Hughes (for Carey), G.Thompson (for Byrne) and R.Grehan (for Keegan). RESERVES COMMENCE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN Chief fixture this weekend sees Buccaneers Reserves commence their Connacht Junior League campaign at home to Sligo on Sunday. Kick off time is likely to be altered due to the Kerry v Tyrone GAA senior football showdown at Croke Park. Buccs Reserves have, somewhat peculiarly, four home games at Dubarry Park in the opening five rounds of league fixtures, and have a "free" weekend on the other round! The U-20s travel to Barnhall on Saturday for another friendly as their preparations gather pace for the forthcoming South-West Conference League. The Seniors have no confirmed match at time of going to press but could well have a friendly at the weekend. CONGRATULATIONS As this is the first "official" club notes of the new season, a bit of catching up has to be done! Congratulations to last season"s captain Adrian Hanley on his marriage to Leonora Murray. Congrats too to new club president Joe Cleary and wife Audrey on recent birth of son Daniel. Well done also to Conor Higgins on his selection by Ireland for the Junior World Cup finals. CONDOLENCES Sincere sympathy is extended to our groundsman Tom Caulfield on the recent deaths of his sister Mary Francis, her husband Alfie Francis and another brother-in-law Malcolm Biggs, who all died in a very brief period during the summer. Condolences also to Frankie Keena on the passing of his mother Ellen.