U21s 25 – Buccaneers 8

Galwegians confirmed their status as the leading Under 21 side in Connacht this season when they deservedly claimed the Connacht U21 Cup against Buccaneers at the Sportsground on Tuesday evening. Having demolished city rivals Corinthians in the semi-finals and having finished the leading Connacht side in the South West Conference League, Wegians came into this game as favourites and they quickly set down a marker with a dominant first-half performance.

However they were wasteful early on, with only one successful penalty from four attempts, Conor O’Rourke’s 15th minute penalty being the difference between the sides.

The  talented Wegians pack was hugely dominant upfront, and when Buccs were reduced to 14 men, Wegians scored their first try in the 24th minute when captain and second-row Danny Deegan charged over from 5 metres out following sustained period of pressure, and an 8-0 lead for the Glenina outfit.

Buccaneers were struggling to cope with the power of the Wegians pack and the ferocity of the backline defense. When Buccs got a second yellow card on 33 minutes, the Blues seized their chance, scoring two more tries before the break. Their second came on 36 minutes following a 5-metre scrum against the head with back-row Eddie Earle claiming the touchdown. And following more good spadework by the forwards, the ever-threatening Wegians backline took their opportunity, with Matt Dever diving over for try number three to give them a 20-0 half-time cushion.

The Buccs had a stiff breeze in the second-half and an early Jack Feeney penalty gave them some hope. However the Wegians defence was magnificent and refused to be breached, denying the Buccs any opportunity to get back into the game. The icing on the cake came with an intercept try by Paul Power from inside his own half to put the Blues out of sight. A late Aidan Connaughton try was scant consolation for the Buccs, but there was no denying that Galwegians were worthy winners both on the night and on the evidence of the entire season.