Buccaneers extended their unbeaten run in Division One to five games as they held on for a tight 8-6 win over Garryowen at Dubarry Park.
Buccs flanker and captain Conor Hartigan scored against his former club as the Pirates made their way up to tenth in the table.
Hartigan ended a superb 17th-minute move with a try in the left corner, which was replied to by Garryowen full-back Conor Kilroy, as Buccs led 8-6 at the break.
Tom Cregan's only penalty followed on 55 minutes, and while Kilroy replied with his second place kick, a disciplined finish saw Buccs secure a heartening win.
In a game high on intensity, it was Buccs who made the better start.
Great hands from both the backs and forwards saw Hartigan clamber over for the opener.
But try-scoring chances were at a premium and when referee David Wilkinson penalised Buccs for a slow lineout on 36 minutes, Kilroy mopped up with the resultant place kick.
Cregan, who had an off-day with the boot landing only one from three attempts, sent over a penalty to open the second half scoring. The chance was set up by a superb block down by centre William Wallace.
Buccs played back into the visitors' hands on 64 minutes when their tighthead prop Killian O'Neill was binned for a ruck offence.
Kilroy kicked the penalty from 35 metres but a resolute Buccs defence held on as the Connacht side posted their fourth win in eight league meetings with the Limerick men.
Scorers:
Buccs: Try: Conor Hartigan; Pen: Tom Cregan
Garryowen: Pens: Conor Kilroy 2
