DOUBLE FOR BUCCS! RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE CORRIB 27 BUCCANEERS 32
For the first time in some seasons, Buccaneers Seconds got off to a winning start in the Connacht Junior 1B League when they outpointed Corrib 32-27 in a high-scoring and competitive encounter at Headford on Sunday. On a fine bright afternoon, new Reserves Coach Owen O’Reilly would have been generally pleased with the attitude and application shown by the Pirates.
However, Buccs made a sluggish start against a well organised home outfit. Mistakes were made in open play and defensive lines were not what they should be. Yet it was the midlanders who opened the scoring when Rory Grenham nabbed an unconverted try on 16 minutes. Corrib replied with a penalty and followed up with a converted try after 35 minutes. They added a drop goal just before the break to lead 13-5 at half-time.
Buccs restarted positively with David Fagan landing a brace of penalties to narrow the arrears to two points. A fine piece of individual play by Brian Walsh saw the winger surge past a number of tacklers in a 60 metres run for a try in the corner just before the hour mark. Fagan added an excellent conversion for an 18-13 lead. However, Corrib responded and capitalised on some weak defending to grab a converted try and regain the lead just seven minutes later.
But the Athlone outfit looked the fitter unit in the closing stages and showed wonderful character. Smashing interplay between backs and forwards was finished off by Sean Byrne for a 75th minute try. The captain’s brother and second row partner Ruairi touched down three minutes later. Man of the match Fagan made no mistake with either conversion to put Buccs 32-20 to the good but a gritty Corrib side salvaged a late converted try to complete the 32-27 scoreline.
BUCCANEERS:- M.Tormey; B.Walsh, C.FitzGibbon, S.Flynn, J.Lopez; D.Fagan, G.Fallon; K.Grehan, R.Grenham, T.Thompson; S.Byrne, R.Byrne; N.Flynn, M.Lyons and P.Hennessy. Replacements:- K.Langdon, D.Griffiths and T.Couper.
BUCCANEERS 43 BALLINA 8
BUCCANEERS THIRDS made a seamless step up from Division 2 when they figured their way to an impressive 43-8 Connacht Junior 1C League victory over Ballina Seconds at Dubarry Park on Sunday. In gorgeous weather conditions, Ballina dominated the opening quarter but, once Buccs sorted themselves out, they got the scoreboard ticking over steadily to record a fine win.
Enda O’Brien had the proverbial stormer for Buccs where fellow forwards Adrian Hughes and Darragh Lennon also had terrific outings as did Jonathan Dolan on his return to active service. Ger Walsh and Nick Purcell were the homesters’ most potent backs while evergreen Leo Didebashvili tackled like a dervish throughout and Bobby Pears looked promising at fullback on his first appearance at this level.
Declan Byrne’s brace led the try scoring tally with the other tries coming from O’Brien, Hughes, Dolan, Walsh and Josh O’Rourke. Lennon landed a pair of conversions with Purcell and Byrne contributing one conversion apiece. After a sloppy opening, Buccs forwards got on top and, all in all, it was a decent all-round effort by the full squad (that includes some seasoned but still spritely performers) that earned this impressive victory.
BUCCANEERS:- B.Pears; R.Silke, J.O’Connor, G.Walsh, L.Didebashvili; D.Byrne, N.Purcell; C.Galvin, D.Lennon, E.O’Brien; J.O’Rourke, V.McGrath; J.Dolan, N.Carr and A.Hughes. Replacements:- M.Duddy, C.Shanley, C.Milling and B.Donnellan.
BUCCS HEAD TO MALONE IN AIL OPENER
BUCCANEERS face a challenging assignment in their opening AIL fixture when they face Malone in Gibson Park, Belfast, in the Ulster Bank League Division 1B on Saturday, kick off 2.30 p.m. Youth will get its fling for the Pirates at the Cregagh Road venue as Buccaneers are likely to call on the players who have performed promisingly in the Connacht league and worked hard in the build up to this game.
There has not been a huge player turnaround since last season. Peter Reilly and Steve Macauley were despatched to New Zealand at a critical stage late in the previous campaign and are continuing to play down under. Conor Kindregan was another to lose out at Connacht and he returns to U.L.Bohemian where he is completing a Masters degree while another student Ben Carty is studying abroad. Buccs key recruits are Alan Gaughan (returning to his home club from Garryowen), winger Rory O’Connor, hooker Shane Delahunt, backrower Paul Gallogly and the highly promising Stephen McVeigh, youngest brother of Joe. Versatile back Ger O’Connor will add to the Athlone side’s option as a dual status player.
Buccs have suffered just one competitive loss to Malone, on their previous visit up North in dismal conditions. Saturday’s weather and pitch conditions should be a near perfect match for the style of play of the youthful midlanders squad likely to be led by Alex Hayman in the centre and fullback Callum Boland. Mark Dolan’s new half-back partner looks like being Gaughan with David Fagan another contender. Conor Finn is a terrific attacking option in the centre where another Conor — FitzGibbon – will be itching to start. The latter’s cousin, Billy Henshaw, will face competition from Rory O’Connor, Eoghan O’Reilly and Harry Hughes for the wing berths. Jack Feeney is the only injury doubt in this sector.
Up front, there is keen competition for starting places too. With Garreth Halligan not yet returned to action, the very promising Delahunt will take on the hooker role where Rory Grenham can provide cover. Jacob Walshe, Martin Staunton, Diarmuid Higgins, Saba Meunargia and Brian Teape will give Senior Coach Tony Dolan and his assistant Paul Flanagan some hard choices to make in the front row formation. Danny Qualter and James Tormey could man the engine room in the second row where Ruairi Byrne and Josh O’Rourke have made strong claims for inclusion. Luke Satchwell should be the first name inked in to the back row with Longford’s Gallogly, Kolo Kiripati, Sam McCormack and Evan Galvin solid contenders here. More difficult decisions for the management team, which is no bad complaint!
Malone, who have won their opening brace of Ulster League matches, have a lot of promising young players coming through too, notably Connor Joyce in the back row, lock Alan O’Connor, scrumhalf Shane Kelly and full-back Taylor Acheson. Centre Josh Pentland is a decent placekicker and Jonny Creighton is likely to start at standoff. They will provide stiff opposition on home soil but the Pirates made a winning start in Belfast last season and thus should not be too fazed. If their players keep their focus and discipline, Buccs have the talent and potential to prevail provided they front up and maintain a committed team effort from start to finish.
PRE-MATCH FUNCTIONS
The following four fixtures have been selected to hold a pre-match function:-
Sep. 20th v Garryowen (first home game)
Oct. 31st v Corinthians (Friday night)
Dec. 20th v Malone (floodlit game)
Mar. 28th v U.L.Bohemian
Table of eight persons is again costing just €240 for 3-course meal + wine & seat in the stand.
Wonderful value indeed! Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 to book. Large or small groups catered for.
OTHER FIXTURES
Buccaneers Seconds are home to Loughrea in the Connacht Junior 1B League on Sunday when the Thirds travel to Sligo for a Junior 1C clash; both fixtures scheduled to kick off at 2.30 p.m. Following opening day victories, both teams will be optimistic of building on that promise.
REGISTRATION DAY
REGISTRATION DAY for all underage (Youths and Minis) will take place in Dubarry Park on Saturday week, September 20th from 11 a.m. FREE Buccs shorts and socks to every Youth or Minis player who pay their Membership Subscription on the day!
Registration will be followed by Buccaneers first home Ulster Bank League game against Garryowen. You are invited to stay on and watch the match; remember, children U-16 accompanied by an adult are admitted FREE to all Buccaneers home fixtures!
YOUTHS & MINIS TRAINING
Minis and Youths training continues on Saturdays at 11 a.m. All players including beginners welcome. Parents are urged to drive carefully in the car park when leaving in and collecting their children.
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of John Brennan, who passed away unexpectedly.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congrats to Eugene and Ciara Forde on their recent wedding.
JUNIOR CERT DISCO
A DISCO for students celebrating their Junior Cert results takes place in the ‘Lower Deck’ at The Bounty on this Wednesday night with top DJ from 9 p.m. till midnight. Organised by Buccaneers RFC in association with the Athlone Drugs Awareness Group and the support of Athlone Gardai, this Disco is a non-alcohol and well-supervised environment for these teenagers to celebrate. The Disco is strictly for students who have just received their Junior Cert results and tickets can only be purchased through the Secondary schools. There will no tickets on sale at the venue on the night!