Garryowen Keep On The Winning Trail
Buccaneers’ brave bid to reach the AIB Cup semi-finals ended at Dooradoyle on Saturday afternoon as a power-packed Garryowen side scored late in both halves to keep their hopes of a second cup title in three seasons alive.
AIB CUP QUARTER-FINAL: Saturday, February 14
GARRYOWEN 28 BUCCANEERS 17, Dooradoyle
Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Lorcan Bourke, Diarmaid McCarthy, Paul Neville; Cons: Conor Kilroy 2; Pens: Conor Kilroy 3
Buccaneers: Tries: Marcus Madden, Alex Hayman, John O’Brien; Con: Alan Gaughan
Garryowen boast an unbeaten record in AIB League or Cup rugby which stretches back to October and with Buccs struggling for form, there was only ever going to be one winner of this tie.
Buccs did well in the opening half-hour, living with the hosts but tries from young back-line talents Lorcan Bourke (34 minutes) and Diarmaid McCarthy (36) got Garryowen back on the right path.
They led 15-5 at half-time with full-back Conor Kilroy converting one of those tries and kicking a penalty.
Buccaneers did not let their heads drop and tries from Alex Hayman and John O’Brien, adding to Marcus Madden’s effort, kept them right in the hunt.
However, Garryowen put the game beyond the visitors’ reach in the 79th minute when team captain Paul Neville muscled his way over the line for a deserved try.