First-half blitz sees Buccs overcome local rivals Galwegians

BUCCANEERS 16 GALWEGIANS 12

Buccaneers made it five wins in six All-Ireland League games as they got the better of their Connacht rivals Galwegians in today’s derby at Dubarry Park.

Buccs laid the platform for this latest success in the opening 40 minutes, before putting in a lacklustre second-half display which might have been punished by a better side.

Full-back Rob O’Beirn converted an early penalty for Galwegians who came into this game on the back of four successive league defeats.

They had Connacht’s Eoin McKeon and Ezra Taylor starting in the back row, and another provincially-capped player at outside centre in Liam Bibo.

Scrum half Adam Kennedy levelled the tie from a 22nd minute penalty and just as Buccaneers cranked up their efforts, centre Paul Harte blazed through for a superb individual try.

Harte made a break from inside his 22 and had the gas to make the line for Kennedy to convert.

Kennedy and O’Beirn swapped penalties before the latter closed out the first half’s scoring, cutting the deficit for ‘Wegians to 13-9.

The second half was a stop-start affair and Buccs kicked away possession cheaply at times.

O’Beirn increased the pressure on Hendre Marnitz’s side by landing a 57th minute penalty.

But, with Daniel Qualter, Colin Watters and captain Garreth Halligan stepping up to the mark, replacement David Connellan's late penalty copperfastened the points for Buccaneers.

Scorers: Buccaneers: Try: Paul Harte; Con: Adam Kennedy; Pens: Adam Kennedy 2, David Connellan

Galwegians: Pens: Rob O’Beirn 4

HT: Buccaneers 13 Galwegians 9