February 08th 2010

Tries by flying winger Cian O’Reilly, big John Dooley from Belmont who romped home from his own 22 metre line for his first try for Buccaneers, and added to that a brace of tries by explosive finisher wing Jack Linnane left Buccs 26-7 in the driving seat in this important Connaught Cup tussle.

Buccs, playing with a new starting line up, and each player stated their claim to their place with some outstanding performances. The recent injury toll saw Buccs losing and badly missing No.8 Aidan Connaughton, experienced winger Conor Seery, influential prop Glen Carey, all rounder second row Tadhg Hennessy and winger Jack Donoghue. Furthermore even though he played some of the second half carrying an injury, Barry Digby tied up this match with his commanding passing. So the players played without the luxury of a substitute bench in the depth that is normally there, and yet prospered.

The selected team stood up to the line and proved their worth. Robert Corcoran played a good first half at scrum half. Wingers Linnane and O’Reilly gave strong options out wide where, with inside backs who are able to vary their point of attack, they pass them the ball so well that many opposition teams find it very difficult to defend against and it is a pleasure for spectators to watch. Although just back from injury, prop forward Simon Garvey played an important role in the tight up front, as did Dylan Lynch whose work rate impacted on Corinthians time and again.

Three conversions were added by out half Robert Henshaw. These were noteworthy because coming into the closing quarter of the match these extra points gave Buccs some comfort on the scoreboard given that substitutes present were already committed. Switches in the second half saw full back Cian Bradley make room for Linnane and the mustard keen carrier James Farrell enter the fray on the wing. Man of the match Mel Corbett was chosen because of his relentless decisive tackling in mid-field and his smooth linking up in attack!

Leading by just 12 points to 7 at half time the Corinthians case was far from over and it must be said they were up for the win and made Buccs fight for victory every inch of the way. In the rucking contest Corinthians were lucky to win gifts of possession handed to them by Buccs errors or lack of practice, on a plate. Instead of ground work at times some players offered themselves in ball carrying role when the primary task of winning possession was forgotten and coaches noted the overall rucking left a lot to be desired !

Difficulties in the scrum worked out by placing Lee McLoughlin into the front row while at No. 8 James Donoghue bound the forwards effort together. Last week’s try scorer, then in the wing back position, now at his more usual wing forward position, Damien Hyland at vital times destroyed many Corinthians attacks with tireless tackling.

So, coaches Jude Lennon, Ronan Bushell, Micky Donohoe all breathed a sigh of relief. Manager Pat Hynes says now the brilliant thing is that we all now have more confidence in the ability of the whole panel to play beyond themselves!

Special mention is paid this time to the commitment of the father and son combination that is the Corbetts who travel two or sometimes three times a week all the way from Bridgetown, Killaloe in Co. Clare. Eamonn Corbett is a marvellous supporter of the team and his talented son Mel was this week’s well-deserved man of the match. Their commitment provides a formidable addition to the spirit in the panel and enjoyment for all of the families involved.

BUCCANEERS squad:- Bryan Teape, Damien Hyland, Lee McLoughlin, Simon Garvey, Robbie Henshaw, Conor Seery, Tadhg Hennessy, Cian Bradley, Robert Corcoran, Aidan Conaughton, Barry Digby, Mel Corbett, Glen Carey, John Dooley, James Donoghue, Jack Linnane, Colm Conroy, Cian O’Reilly, Daniel McNeill, Conor FitzGibbon, Jack Donoghue, Eoghan Kelly, John Dooley, James Farrell and Dylan Lynch.