October 6th, 2008

Despite missing some key regulars, Buccaneers made a winning start to life back in Division One of the AIB League when they outscored Dolphin 28-19 in a keenly contested tussle at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. Putting in a hugely committed and solid collective effort, Buccs were very worthy winners although the Cork side clawed back to within four points with just three minutes normal time remaining. However, the midlanders continued where they left off last season, notching a very late fourth try to snaffle a vital Bonus point.

Garreth Halligan and Michael Diffley were late additions to Buccaneers already worrying injury list but a trio of Connacht players – Aidan Wynne, Daniel O’Riordan and David Gannon – were available to the homesters for whom forwards Kolo Kiripati and Louie Tonkin were making their AIB League debuts. Dolphin too had a much-changed side from their visit two seasons ago but both Barry Keeshan and James Coughlan started with key new signing Chris Rowe on the bench. Conditions were testing for both players and spectators alike as a diagonal breeze and increasing rain caused serious discomfort and, consequently, the attendance for this Dubarry-sponsored match was less than anticipated.

Buccaneers had first use of the elements but Dolphin had the first chance of the game after just four minutes, O’Riordan going to ground too early and not gathering the ball but Alan Gaughan got across to deny Barry O’Mahoney who had hacked ahead. Gaughan was then off-target with a home penalty just two minutes later. Buccs continued to build momentum and fullback Rory Kenneally did well to clear Dolphin’s line from Simon Rolleston’s kick ahead before O’Riordan, Gaughan and Alex Hayman linked up but the Scot was tackled into touch close to the visitors’ line while a Wynne pass was wayward with Dolphin stretched on the other flank.

But the home pressure soon gained reward, Gaughan opening the scoring with a 14th minute penalty from 30 metres. Five minutes later, the young wing outstripped the Dolphin cover following good work by the home side and he touched down for a fine try which he also converted for a 10-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Keeshan then opened the visitors’ account with a 25th minute penalty while Gaughan was off-target with a kickable penalty just two minutes later.

Warren de Bruin was yellow-carded for a late tackle on Hayman after 35 minutes and, with the referee bringing the placekick forward to where the ball landed, Gaughan made no mistake on this occasion. However, the match official was not so popular following the final move of the opening half. O’Mahoney chased a grubber kick ahead but, despite two attempts by the flanker to ground the ball when he clearly made no contact, Simon McDowell controversially awarded the try. This timely psychological score for Dolphin was then converted with the last kick of the half by Keeshan to narrow their half-time arrears to 13-10.

O’Riordan made a terrific break down the left flank just after the resumption which needed and got a splendid tackle to deny the home full-back going all the way. Then when the visitors outhalf tacked on his second penalty to tie the scores just 4 minutes into the second period, Buccs looked in dire danger as they were now facing the elements. But Kolo Kiripati responded emphatically, taking a decent pass from Mark Bruce just inside the visitors’ half to power away down the stand side for a magnificent solo try after 46 minutes.

Conor Higgins now joined the fray and, soon afterwards, one tremendous drive off a ruck galvanised the midlanders and sent out a marker in the now pouring rain. Just before the hour mark Samoan Kiripati grabbed another smashing try again having a lot of work to do down the right flank to stretch Buccs lead to 23-13. Gaughan, who was off-target with both conversion attempts, was switched to scrumhalf with teenager John O’Brien getting his first taste of Division One rugby in place of Bruce with thirteen minutes remaining. Marcus Madden was next on in place of Gavin Kelly, who was suffering from a knock.

Seven minutes from time, Adrian Hanley was tempted offside and Buccs suffered on the double, Keeshan slotting over the penalty after the home No. 8 was sin-binned. Four minutes later, a nervy ending was set up when Kevin Moran was penalised for a handling offence, Keeshan’s penalty tightening the scoreline to 23-19.
But some further O’Riordan magic caused more mayhem in Dolphin’s ranks and captain Niall O’Hara applied the finishing touch for Buccaneers fourth try, their only one on the left, as the game ebbed into added time. Again Gaughan was unable to convert from out wide but, nevertheless, a wonderful confidence-boosting display by promoted Buccs who worked very hard all through against the side who finished fifth last season, secured the spoils on merit, making a near-perfect start to the new campaign on a 28-19 winning scoreline.

As this developing squad proved last season, they are willing to graft together and work for each other, crucial elements in the difficult weather. The squad had concentrated on defence and ball retention in the build-up to this match, and this was clearly evident as the game unfolded for Buccs tackling was sharp and sustained, and Dolphin were rarely allowed threathen. The backline looked like, on a better day, that they would harvest tries; four was a very decent return in the circumstances, shared equally by backs and forwards. The set-pieces were not so successful, however, with the scrum under pressure at times and the lineouts were like the weather – a washout. No guessing where the coaches will focus their primary attention at training this week while a much better percentage must be returned from placekicks.

Nevertheless, this was a highly encouraging start by Buccaneers in what was truly a team effort. Kiripati fully meritied his ‘OYSTERhomes Man of the Match’ accolade but several other players ran him close for the award. Kieran O’Gorman was an absolute thorn in Dolphin’s side, especially in the second half. Moran did very well all through and Kelly, despite the lineout difficulties (not all down to him, by any means) was very effective around the paddock. Tonkin made a few big hits too.

Service to and by the half-backs must be improved but the centre pairing of Wynne and Hayman was very secure while O’Riordan was a real threat to Dolphin and O’Hara acquitted himself well on the left wing. Keeshan was Dolphin’s best performer and Kenneally was a solid fullback while O’Mahoney was lively in the pack where Coughlan was very influential.

One minute’s silence was observed prior to kick off in memory of former Secretary of Buccaneers JIM GRACE who passed away during the off-season. May he rest in eternal peace.

BUCCANEERS:- D.O’Riordan; A.Gaughan, A.Wynne, A.Hayman, N.O’Hara (captain); S.Rolleston, M.Bruce; B.Gilligan, G.Kelly, K.Moran; L.Tonkin, D.Gannon; K.Kiripati, K.O’Gorman and A.Hanley. Replacements:- C.Higgins (for Gilligan, 48 mins) J.O’Brien (for Bruce, 67 mins), M.Madden (for Kelly, 73 mins) and A.Hughes (for Tonkin, 80 mins).

DOLPHIN:- R.Kenneally; P.Hurley, W. de Bruin, J.Ross, K.Lynch; B.Keeshan, M.Purcell; D.Ryan, T.O’Callaghan, C.Condon; F.McCormack, D.Harty (captain); G.Finn, B.O’Mahoney and J.Coughlan. Replacements:- F.Gately (for Condon, 50 mins), C.Rowe (for McCormack, 56 mins), D.O’Driscoll (for Purcell, 57 mins), K.Murray (for O’Callaghan, 63 mins) and R.Allen (for Finn, 80 mins).

REFEREE:- Simon McDowell (Ulster).

A.Gaughan try, 2 pens & con; B.Keeshan 4 pens & con; B.O’Mahoney try.

K.Kiripati 2 tries & N.O’Hara try.