BUCCANEERS 24 DUNMORE 19 – Buccaneers R.F.C

BUCCANEERS 24 DUNMORE 19

BUCCANEERS and Dunmore served up a hugely entertaining Bank of Ireland Connacht U-15 Cup semi-final in front of a big attendance at Dubarry Park on Sunday with the homesters edging a competitive contest 24-19.

Although the visitors had first benefit of the breeze, it was Buccs who opened the scoring after just 3 minutes when slick handling the width of the pitch was finished in style by Sean Norton wide on the left. Dunmore were level within 5 minutes, they too displaying good hands moving the ball to Mikey Forde for a try on the right.

The Pirates were then forced to rejig due to early injuries to Tadhg Rohan and Oisin Daly, replaced by Tomi Akinfaye and Cian Kilcommons respectively. After defending for a period a fine 50/22 was followed by a Will Browne break to give the midlanders a foothold against the elements and this territory led to Akinfaye surging over for another unconverted try to regain the lead.

But Dunmore struck back in the final move of the opening half when the Pirates dropped their guard at a penalty which was tapped swiftly and James Costello burst over for a try converted by Adam Saman that gave the visitors a 12-10 advantage at the interval.

As they had done in the first half, Buccaneers scored a try within 3 minutes of the change of end when Fearghal Kelly scythed through to dot down between the uprights for a try converted by Corey Kelly. Kilcommons made a brilliant try-saving tackle on Noah Kasik at the Bounty corner but Dunmore soon got their noses back in front. Akinfaye was sin-binned following a number of penalties conceded by the hosts and flanker Costello notched his second try with Saman adding the extras.

Jason Heneghan thumped a couple of super 50/22s but on both occasions the Shannonsiders’ lineout malfunctioned. However, they were not to be denied with another strong break by fullback Browne setting an attack in motion that was finished strongly by Corey Kelly. The place-kicking lock then added the conversion to complete the hard-earned 24-19 victory.

Two well drilled sides gave it their all but Buccaneers were that bit more cohesive and creative. Daniel Murphy was their outstanding forward with solid support from skipper Jordan Murray and Leroy Boakye. Heneghan harnessed the breeze far better than his opponents did, regularly pinning Dunmore back, and he received notable support from Fearghal Kelly and Browne in the backs unit as Buccs deservedly progressed to the final.

BUCCANEERS:- W.Browne; S.Norton, R.Connor, F.Kelly, O.Daly; J.Heneghan, S.Griffith; A.Costello, O.Kelly, L.Boakye; C.Burke, C.Kelly; J.Murray (captain), D.Murphy and T.Rohan. Replacements:- T.Akinfaye (for Rohan, inj. 9 mins), C.Kilcommons (for Daly, inj. 14 mins), J.Monaghan, L.Clancy, O.Killeen, R.McKenna and J.Hurley.

DUNMORE:- R.Gilmore; C.Brennan, H.Burke, M.Forde, N.Kasik; A.Saman, E.Higgins; A.Brosnan, E.Healy, N.Murphy-Biggins; S.Parsons, C.Murray; J.Costello, K.Corless and D.Madden. Replacements:- E.Ryan, L.Daly, M.Higgins, R.Cummins, C.Long, D.Hynes and E.Concannon.

Referee:- Abraham Griffin (Connacht).