March 9th 2010

BUCCANEERS and Monivea served up a typically full-blooded Cup encounter when they met in the semi-final of the Connacht U-19 Cup at the Castle Grounds, Monivea, where it ended all square 6-6 on Sunday.

This was another compelling battle between two evenly matched and well drilled squads. Most of the action was fought out through the forwards with the midlanders pack up for the duel. An early Jack Carty drop goal settled visiting nerves and Buccs had the better of the opening half with Carty landing a penalty to put Buccs 6-0 ahead at halftime. There were incidents aplenty throughout and Buccs can feel aggrieved that Liam Claffey was not awarded a try in the second period. Monivea lived to joust another day, restricted to a brace of second half penalties through the excellent defensive work put in by Buccs.

Stephen Dowling, Neil Quigley, Paul Hewitt and Brendan Fagan were to the fore in the forwards exchanges for Buccaneers while Carty, Conor Keogh, John Maguire and Claffey were pick of a decent backline. With school exams looming, it is hoped that the replay will be fixed sooner rather than later while Buccs will be looking for a first competitive home fixture of the season for it. The Athlone side will also be hoping to be strengthened by returns of internationals Daniel Qualter and Callum Boland for the replay against Monivea, whom they are also due to meet in the U-19 league final shortly.

BUCCANEERS:- J.Maguire; C.Keogh, E.Keena, L.Claffey, C.Greene; J.Carty, W.Walesch; E.O’Brien, P.Hewitt, S.Dowling; N.Quigley, E.Casey; S.Feary (captain), K.Donnelly and B.Fagan. Replacements used:- J.Crompton (for Donnelly) and G.Duignan (for Casey).