Buccs hold on to beat Clontarf

Buccaneers 16 Clontarf 10

Buccaneers moved up to sixth in the AIB League Division One table after their 16-10 beating of Clontarf today at Dubarry Park.

They got the ideal start on three minutes when New Zealand fly-half David Green burst through for their opening try. Full-back Tommy Cregan converted, but ‘Tarf were only two points down at half-time.

On 21 minutes, former UL Bohs back Breffni O’Donnell made full use of a turnover in the home 22 to dart over in the left corner. Peter O’Brien missed the conversion and Buccs’ lead was down to 7-5.

A Cregan penalty pushed the Pirates 10-5 in front early in the second half, yet a try from former Shannon scrum half Fiach O’Loughlin had ‘Tarf back level.

Crucially, O’Brien missed the conversion again. Cregan then landed two penalties while Darragh O’Shea, in the absence of the confidence-less O’Brien, missed a late penalty shot from distance as Buccs held on for the win.