Devine inspiration continues as Ireland clinch Grand Slam

Ballinasloe's Matthew Devine again played a starring role as the Ireland U-20 rugby team claimed Grand Slam success in the Six Nations championship with an emphatic win over Scotland last Sunday.

Ireland defeated their Scottish counterparts 59-5 at Musgrave Park in Cork to make it five wins from five games, thereby securing a coveted Grand Slam.

Devine was among the try scorers against Scotland, touching down in the left corner after his own clever kick had outwitted the Scotland defence. Indeed, the former Garbally College student emerged as Ireland's leading try scorer in the competition.

The talented scrum-half (who plays for Galway Corinthians and Connacht) is a son of Mike Devine, a legendary figure in the Athlone-based Buccaneers club. In addition to his rugby prowess, Shannonbridge native Mike was part of Offaly's All-Ireland winning U-21 football panel in 1988.

Meanwhile, Buccaneers was well represented on the Ireland senior panel which won the Triple Crown and finished second to Grand Slam winners France. Robbie Henshaw and Finlay Bealham featured regularly, with Bealham among the try scorers against England, while Jack Carty and David Heffernan were also in the extended Ireland squad.