Seven Buccaneers are celebrating success at the 2022 European Junior Touch Rugby Championships in France.
The players are members of the Ireland mixed U15 squad that claimed bronze medals at the championships in Vichy.
It was superb achievement for the Buccs youngsters who have been playing touch for little more than a year.
Captained by Buccaneers’ Andrew Henson, the Irish team recovered from a slow start to secure the bronze medal with wins over Wales and Belgium.
The five-team competition at the Parc Omnisports complex in Vichy comprised a round-robin only format with each of the teams playing each other twice. Ireland scored 49 tries in their eight matches and Buccaneers players contributed 30 of those scores.
Ireland got off to a slow start against the French in game one with the hosts taking a 3-0 lead before John Finnan put Aoibhin Tynan over for Ireland’s first try. From then on, they more than matched the home side, losing narrowly in the end by 8-7.
Against England, Ireland had as much possession and territory, but struggled to break down a well-organised English defence. At the other end, the players in white were extremely clinical, scoring 11 tries to Ireland’s 3.
However, Ireland finally got going and blew Wales away with an astonishing display of attacking touch. Ireland scored off their first six possessions with Andrew Henson leading the way with a brilliant length of the field effort. There was no let up for the inexperienced Welsh side with Ireland eventually easing to a 12-2 victory.
On day two Ireland faced two key matches against Belgium, who were their main rivals for a medal, as well as another outing against England. With conditions extremely challenging as temperatures hit 35C , it was a hard-fought encounter against the Belgians before Ireland edging the game with seven tries to five, with Buccaneers’ John Finnan and Katie Rowan among the scorers
There was no joy in their second match against England, who won 10–2 before producing a comfortable 9-6 victory over Belgium. Buccaneers players Phillip Finnan, Aoife and Niamh Purtill. and Andrew Henson registered touchdowns.
On the final day Ireland faced crucial games against France and Wales to determine the medals. They looked to have beaten France to have a chance at silver, but having drawn level before France took a 3-2 lead. There was controversy near the end when winger Katie Rowan appeared to have grounded the ball on the try line before being touched, but the referees did not award the try and France hung on for victory.
As a result Ireland needed a victory against Wales in their final encounter to guarantee a bronze medal, and they did not slip up, winning 7–2 with Buccaneers Phillip Finnan, Andrew Henson and Aoibhin Tynan scoring four of the tries.
The boys and girls’ U18 sides won silver and bronze respectively.
Any one wishing to give touch rugby a go, can attend Buccaneers on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Buccaneers. Contact Denis 085-7742751.
Ireland Try Scorers: Phillip Finnan 10, Andrew Henson 6, Serge Broughton 4, Brian McCulloch 4, Luca Clopin 4, John Finnan 3, Aoibhin Tynan 3, Isaac Young 3, Aoife Purtill 3, Niamh Purtill 3, Katie Rowan 2, Sloane Rangitaawa 1, Airmid Devitt O’Byrne 1, Ross Byrne 1, Matthew Colton 1.
Ireland Mixed Under 15s Squad: Andrew Henson (Buccaneers Touch - Captain ), Aoibhin Tynan (Buccaneers Touch ), Aoife Purtill (Buccaneers Touch ), Airmid Devitt O’Byrne (DSC Wanderers ), Brian McCulloch (Cill Dara ), Isaac Young (Arklow ), James Ó’Riain (DSC Wanderers ), John Finnan (Buccaneers Touch ), Katie Rowan (Buccaneers Touch ), Phillip Finnan (Buccaneers Touch ), Luca Clopin (Gorey ), Matthew Colton (Lansdowne ), Niamh Purtill (Buccaneers Touch ), Ross Byrne (DSC Wanderers ), Serge Broughton (DSC Wanderers ), Sloane Rangitaawa (Wicklow ). Coaches: Tania Rosser (DSC Wanderers ), Eddie Devitt (DSC Wanderers ), Peter Walters (New Zealand ); Manager: Denis O’Connor (Buccaneers ).
