Buccs rue missed chances as Kilroy kicks Garryowen to vistory

BUCCANEERS must have left sodden Dooradoyle wondering how they came away empty-handed following their AIB League Division One match away to Garryowen on Saturday evening when the Limerick club secured their first victory of the campaign on a 19-8 scoreline. Buccs certainly edged both territory and possession in what was quite an exciting encounter played in extremely difficult conditions on a ground that, despite oodles of puddles, stood up remarkably well in spite of almost constant day-long heavy rain. But the midlanders managed to penetrate stout and disciplined home defending just once, although they came within touching distance on at least a handful of occasions. Meanwhile, Garryowen punished Buccs who, despite reducing the number of penalties conceded, still infringed too often for their own good, although some inconsistent refereeing did the visitors no favours, particularly in the sin-binning of Kolo Kiripati. The light blues had some key elements too in this important victory; Conor Kilroy"s place-kicking remains near faultless, while wily captain Paul Neville gave sterling leadership, ably assisted by young No.8 David Sherry. Buccaneers made one change in their pack, Marcus Madden starting in place of Gavin Kelly. Backs Alan Gaughan and Paul Harte joined the injury list but Danny Riordan was fit again to resume at full-back with John O"Brien switching to the right wing and Sean Brady made his first start in the centre. Niall Lear was again on the bench where there was no berth for Louie Tonkin in conditions that may have suited the towering lock. Although playing up the slope, Buccaneers made a lively start and Alex Hayman made a terrific break in the opening minute but got isolated and a real try opportunity was lost. However, Buccs opened the scoring after just three minutes, Simon Rolleston kicking a decent penalty after Garryowen went over the top. Garryowen got their first real foothold in Buccs territory following a fine kick and chase by their hooker Michael Sherry and soon afterwards Kieran O"Gorman"s wild tackle earned him a yellow card and enabled Kilroy to pop over a levelling tenth minute penalty for the homesters. Four minutes later, Buccs had a chance to retake the lead but Rolleston"s penalty from a kickable position dropped just under the crossbar. A good Garryowen counter attack on 23 minutes almost yielded the opening try but Mark Bruce got back to touch down and slide into the hoardings for his troubles. Three minutes later, Garryowen centre Conan Doyle was sin-binned for jersey tugging off the ball as Buccaneers made a promising raid. The midlanders did not take advantage of their temporary numerical superiority and shortly afterwards they too had a player in the sin bin when flanker Kiripati was controversially yellow-carded after the flanker had stepped through to pick up the ball that was clearly out. Kilroy duly converted this 31st minute penalty to give Garryowen the lead. Three minutes later, Buccs got a chance to level when Garryowen took a player out without the ball but Rolleston"s kicking woes continued with a poor 34th minute penalty effort while referee Alan Rogan - inconsistent at best - failed to produce a yellow card in this incident! Then Buccs went offside on 37 minutes and former Bucc Kilroy slotted over his third penalty. The vital score arrived in added time at the end of the first half. Buccaneers were again going forward deep in home territory when Conor Hartigan put in a thumping tackle on his former backrow colleague Adrian Hanley to turn over possession to Garryowen, who counter attacked quickly and smartly with too many Buccs players caught forward. The ball was moved smoothly to the left where Ciaran O"Boyle finished at pace for a try wide on the left and Kilroy was not fazed with the touchline conversion to give Garryowen a very flattering 16-3 half-time advantage. Buccs now had a mountain to climb following this psychologically important try for Garryowen, but they knuckled down on the restart and put in a smashing passage of play seven minutes into the second period without reward. Garryowen were content to kick into Buccs territory in the testing conditions and force the visitors into the hard slog of making ground against well-organised and determined home defending. But Buccs were now picking and driving to much better effect and they opted for a close-in scrum on 53 minutes that came to nought. Meanwhile, Alamoti TePou (carrying a knock) was late with a 56th minute tackle and Kilroy again demonstrated the priceless value of an in-form placekicker to stretch Garryowen"s lead to 19-3. Buccaneers were again thwarted close to the home line but maintained pressure that yielded another penalty. Once more they opted for a scrum and this time Kiripati powered over the home line for a 57th minute try which Rolleston was unable to convert. Five minutes later, Bruce made a terrific break down the left flank but his attempted final pass was blocked when perhaps he would have reaped a try had he chipped the ball ahead. Buccs tried to build from this position but knocked on close to the home line. Buccs pounded away but lacked the necessary finesse and guile to outmanoeuvre the Garryowen cover as they came agonisingly close on several occasions to grabbing a try that would have earned them a much deserved Bonus point. On reflection, luckless Buccaneers worked their collective socks off but they suffered from some "white line fever". Discipline (despite some improvement) and a poor placekicking return again cost them dearly while overall they lacked the 'smarts' in an earnest and entertaining battle that was within their compass to win. Riordan was the classiest back on view ably supported by Bruce and Hayman. Madden had a good outing at hooker while O"Gorman put in a huge work-rate and TePou was prominent until injury robbed him of some zip. Footnote Garryowen must have been hugely frustrated as the foul weather ruined their proactive approach in staging this game at 5pm under floodlights. Nevertheless, a couple of hundred hardy souls braved the elements and were rewarded with a decent encounter. Other clubs should follow suit in utilising floodlights. Clubs must mix imagination with common sense in enticing spectators away from their 42 inch flatscreen TVs and firesides, particularly in these challenging economic times, and Garryowen are to be lauded on this initiative. SCORERS - Garryowen: Ciaran O"Boyle try, Conor Kilroy con & 4 pens. Buccaneers: Kolo Kiripati try, Simon Rolleston pen. BUCCANEERS: D.Riordan; J.O"Brien, A.Hayman, S.Brady, N.O"Hara (captain); S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; B.Gilligan, M.Madden, K.Moran; D.Gannon, A.TePou; K.Kiripati, K.O"Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacement used: C.Higgins (for Gilligan). GARRYOWEN: C.Kilroy; L.Bourke, K.Hartigan, C.Doyle, Ciaran O"Boyle; A.Kingsley, Cillian O"Boyle; R.Brosnan, M.Sherry, D.Lavery; B.Paurini, F.McKenna; P.Neville (captain), C.Hartigan and D.Sherry. Replacements: C.Murray (for Cillian O"Boyle), A.Kavanagh (for C. Hartigan), W.Staunton (for Kingsley), R.Laffan (for M.Sherry) and K.Buckley (for Lavery). REFEREE: Alan Rogan (Leinster).