An Oliver Coffey penalty with the final kick of the game saw Blackrock College take victory in Dubarry Park.
Blackrock opened their account early. Liam McNamara and Stephen Mannion combined at The Bounty corner to thwart an early attack. In a quick end-to-end, Shane Layden got underneath the ball to deny the visitors touching down between the uprights.
Rock’s early pressure gained reward when Whelan stretched over the home line for an eighth minute try which Coffey converted.
Buccs conceded a number of penalties in the opening quarter and had a further setback when the experienced Burke was forced off through injury after 12 minutes.
Two minutes later Buccs were awarded a penalty which Michael Hanley slotted over. As the floodlights came on in the deteriorating weather; Coffey landed a brace of penalties either side of a Hanley placekick to give Blackrock a 13-6 half-time lead.
Indeed, straight from the restart, Coffey was in the limelight again. Claiming the ball and with deft footwork avoiding a number of tacklers to scamper in for a try within seconds of the restart. Coffey added an excellent conversion to put his side 20-6 ahead.
Buccaneers comeback
However, five minutes later Jack Mullany’s high tackle on James Kelly saw the visitors’ prop despatched to the sin-bin. Buccs piled forward in search of a try but were held-out tantalisingly close to the line a number of times.
However, their pressure told when lineout ball was transferred to Cian McCann. Whereas, McCann thundered through for a 47th minute try. Indeed, Hanley added an excellent conversion.
Rock were suddenly reeling and they were decidedly fortunate that a knock-on on their own 22 was not deemed deliberate by referee Henry Richmond.
Late Drama
Hopkins was introduced at this stage and the skipper made an instant impact with a searing break, followed by a smart cross-field kick where Layden finishing off a 54th minute try.
Hanley’s touchline conversion was narrowly wide but the momentum was now with the midlanders. Whereas, Mannion landed a splendid long-range penalty to edge Buccs 21-20 ahead with 17 minutes remaining.
Both teams continued to battle ferociously for the spoils. The Pirates looked to be in the driving seat when Liam Nicholson was the second Rock prop to be yellow-carded on 70 minutes. Just two minutes after his introduction.
Indeed, the Buccaneers pack were now dominating and, with 85 minutes on the stadium clock, they had possession just inside their own half. However Buccs couldn’t find touch!
Indeed, Blackrock collected the loose and ran the home defence who conceded a penalty. With advantage being played, Buccs infringed again and Coffey split the post for the winner.
Buccaneers: L.McNamara; T.Shine (C.O’Shaughnessy 50), S.Layden (c), S.Mannion, O.Burgess; M.Hanley, L.MacFarlane (F.Hopkins 54); J.Kelly, O.Dolan, M.Burke (M.Staunton 12); F.Galvin, D.Qualter; R.O’Meara, C.Walsh (G.Daly 65), C.McCann.
Replacements not used: D.Bolger, M.Earle.
Blackrock College: J.Moriarty (J.Ringrose 61); C.Rolland, M.Dwan, D.McCarthy, D.Heavey (S.Connolly temp); J.Fennelly, O.Coffey; P.McSweeney (L.Nicholson 66 (J.Gardiner 78)), N.Hardiman, J.Mullany; J.Burke (c), R.Whelan; J.Dixon, D.Fortune, O.Ring.
Replacements not used: L.Keyes, R.Barron.
Referee: Henry Richmond (IRFU).
