Man of the match Martyn Steffert led Buccaneers to a deserved victory over Ballina in the Connacht Senior Cup final at Galway Sports Ground on Saturday. This was the holders third victory in the competition having been successful in 1995 and again last season. The strong wind and rain favoured the Mayo men in the first half, but it was Buccaneers who struck first. After only three minutes number eight Martyn Steffert went over for a try. Buccaneers had a chance to increase their lead in the 11th minute but Allnut was off target with his penalty attempt. The out-half made amends with a penalty before half-time to leave Buccaneers 8-0 ahead at half-time.

The AIL division one side increased their lead early in the second-half with Allnut's second penalty. Minutes later Allnut was off-target with an attempted drop goal and Ballina's Jason Carey's missed a penalty. Any chance Ballina had was put out of reach when right winger Alan Connolly scored Buccaneers second try and Allnut put the issue beyond doubt with a penalty on 71 minutes.

Scoring sequence: 3 mins: M Steffert try, 5-0; 32: S Allnut pen, 8-0; 42: S Allnutt pen, 11-0; 65: A Connolly try, 16-0; 71: S Allnut pen, 19-0.

Buccaneers: R Lee; A Connolly, O Cobbe, E Molloy, T Stuart-Trainor; S Allnut, S McIvor; J Screene, J McVeigh, M Cahill, G Webster, C Rigney, D Rigney, M Steffert, E Brennan. Replacements: M Deane for Cobbe half-time; J Maher for Cahill halftime; M Cahill for Screene inj. 55 mins; C Gormley for Molloy 63 mins; N Rusk for McVeigh inj 63 mins; R Keady for Webster inj 79 mins; A Lowry for McIvor 79 mins.

Ballina: G Peterson; P Rowe, G Johnson, P Connellan, I Thornton; J Carey, M Honan; M Keavaney, D Quinn, G King, A Moss, R Sheehan, K Doherty, S Maolai, J Ruane. Replacements: R Tarrant for Keavaney inj 42 mins; D Bird for Honan inj 55 mins; P Mullen for Doherty 55 mins; K Rush for Quinn inj 62 mins; K Doherty for Ruane inj 76 mins.

Referee: P Gilmore (ARCB)