Match Report – U13 v Buccaneers
Under 13 Connemara 28 – Buccaneers 24
The Under 13 team had a very busy weekend. On Saturday they travelled to Athlone to play Buccaneers. Leaving Clifden in a torrential downpour we were wondering if the game would be played. We need not have worried as Buccaneers have wonderful facilities and a number of pitches to choose from. This was our first match of the season and was a daunting task as Buccaneers have a very large youth section to choose from and were fielding some very big players at under 13 level.
We got off to a great start and were 14 – 0 up after 15 mins. We then came under intense pressure and Buccaneers got a penalty, which they kicked, into the corner. From the resulting line-out the prop forward crashed over for a try in the corner, the conversion was missed which left the score 14 – 5 with 5 mins of the half remaning.
We got a scrum on their 22 and won a clean ball back, after some quick slick passing from the backs we got a wonderful try in the corner which was followed by an excellent conversion, 21 – 5. Half time saw some very tired bodies and after quick repairs to blood injuries we were ready for the second half. The weather was now against us with torrential rain and wind blowing into our faces. For the next 12mins Buccaneers were inside our 22 but Connemara defended strongly and held them out on the line time after time. Suddenly a gap opened in the centre when one our boys had to retrieve his flying boot after a wonderful clearance kick and the Buccaneers centre scored under the posts. The conversion left the score 21 – 12. We won the ball back from the kick off and managed to get into their 22 for the first time in this half, this did not last long and Buccaneers were back inside our 22 once more. Again we defended strongly with every player putting in tackle after tackle. Eventually they wore us down and their big centre scored a try under the post with the entire Connemara pack trying to keep him out. The conversion left the score 21 – 19. The pressure was on Connemara now with the weather getting worse. The forwards won a great ball from a ruck in the centre of the pitch and we made a 30 yard break and then the ball was of-loaded to a supporting player who went under the post for a massive score. The conversion made it 28 – 19. at last we had some breathing space with 5 mins remaining. Buccaneers kept up the pressure and eventually scored in the corner, the conversion, which was missed, was the last kick of the game.
Final score 28 – 24 to the boys from the west……a great win.
I have deliberately not named any players, as they were all magnificent on the day.
The team was.
(15) Alan Conroy. (14) Cian Laffey. (13) Mikey Walsh. (12) Jack Shannon.
(11) Connor Clarke. (10) Mark Gavin. (9) Cathal Heanue. (1) James O’Toole.
(2) Stephen McDonagh. (3) Sean Coohill. (4) Christopher Joyce.
(5) Emmett Madden. (6)T.J. Berry. (7) Thomas Joyce. (8) Roddy O’ Donnell. (capt)
(16) John Prendergast. (17) Jack Moran.
A special thank you to Mary Joyce from Recess who very kindly travelled on the bus with the team.
S Coyne.
