Understrength Corinthians capsized by Buccaneers

Corinthians 7

Buccaneers 31

John Mulligan at Corinthian Park

Corinthians’ wait for a first Connacht Senior Cup since 2011 will go on for another year following their defeat to a strong Buccaneers side in Corinthian Park on Saturday afternoon. In bitterly cold conditions and with a strong wind making play difficult, Corinthians rued the concession of first-half scores and despite a much better performance in the second 40, they were unable to pull back the deficit.

It was a credit to both teams that this game was played at all, as the Covid-19 situation around the country, and the uncertainty in teams having squads available, led to a pause on all adult rugby for a week.

However, both Corinthians and Buccaneers confirmed on Friday morning that they would be able to field for the game, despite facing crunch All-Ireland League games coming up this weekend. Corinthians, who are currently second in Division 2B, are away to Ballina; while Buccaneers, who are fourth in Division 2A, at home to leaders Queens University.

It was obvious that coaches JP Cooney and Kolo Kiripati were experimenting a little with their sides with one eye on those league games, and Cooney took the opportunity to give several players their senior bow mixed with the experienced players.

But Corinthians were still missing 10 regulars on the day and while the players who started gave it everything, they struggled to deal with Buccaneers at times and it was that dominance from the visitors that ultimately was the difference in the end.

The strong breeze favoured Buccaneers in the opening half and they made it count early. Barely three minutes had elapsed on the clock when they got the opening try when a ball spread out wide ended with Ross Murphy Sweeney touching down, with the conversion from Stephen Mannion veering to the left of the posts.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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