Buccs edge out Connacht youngsters in friendly clash

BUCCANEERS had their first taste of action when they entertained Connacht U-20s in a friendly at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Wednesday evening. Buccs prevailed narrowly on a 21-15 scoreline but their youthful opponents will probably have felt this was a game within their compass to win. On an untypical summer"s evening (it was warm, dry and the sun was shining!), the livelier Connacht squad lasted the pace better. Their passing and support play was superior to their hosts, but Connacht have been training nigh on two months while Buccs are still regrouping at this stage. The midlanders will need to work hard on fitness and skills levels in the next 5/6 weeks before Dolphin come to Athlone. However, Buccs were short at least ten players who will be bidding for starting berths when the AIB League kicks off in early October. On a pet evening, Kieran O"Gorman marked his return with a yellow card right from the kick off! This did not phase Buccs who opened their account with a well-taken Niall O"Hara try after just five minutes. Simon Rolleston converted but Connacht forced a five metre scrum at the posts seven minutes later and when the ball was moved to the left, Aenghus O"Connell got in for a good try. Buccs kicked a 23rd minute penalty to the right from which Louis Tonkan claimed possession and another debutant James King strode through for a try at the posts, making Rolleston"s conversion a formality. Connacht refused to wilt against their physically stronger opponents and good moving of the ball yielded a Liam Carpenter try after 41 minutes. Approaching the hour mark, Kolo Kiripati highlighted his fine contribution with a surging break down the right that he should have capped with a try but, shortly afterwards, another newcomer to Dubarry Park, Niall Lear, finished off a sharp counter attack for a try at the posts, Rolleston again converting. Connacht battled bravely and with enterprise, and reaped their third try down the left when Dermot Murphy burst through a tiring Buccs defence and the youngsters could have stolen a notable victory but knocked on when well placed inside the home 22 on the right. Their handling was superior on the night but Rolleston"s place-kicking steered Buccs, who rotated their bench and gave a mixed performance, to a repeat of last season"s opening win. SCORERS - Buccaneers: Niall O"Hara, James King, Niall Lear tries; Simon Rolleston 3 cons. Connacht U-20s: Aenghus O"Connell, Liam Carpenter, Dermot Murphy tries. BUCCANEERS:- N.O"Hara; N.Lear, J.King, S.Brady, C.Lavelle; S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; B.Gilligan, S.Stapleton, K.Moran; Anthony Hughes, L.Tonkan; K.Kiripati, K.O"Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacements used:- B.McManus, K.Creaven, D.Egan, G.McGill, E.Brady and Adrian Hughes. REFEREE: D. Connolly (Connacht). BUCCANEERS HOME TO GALWEGIANS IN LEAGUE BUCCANEERS kick off the defence of their Connacht Senior League title at home to keenest rivals Galwegians when Connacht"s two strongest sides clash at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday, 2.30pm. Both clubs are busy preparing for the upcoming AIB League and this game will focus both outfits who have dominated the province in the past decade. While both clubs will field far from settled sides at this stage of the season, the arrival to the midlanders of Louis Tonkan, who skippered Wegians last year, will add spice to an always eagerly anticipated fixture. Corinthians face Connemara in the other league game this weekend.