Buccaneers make a first competitive visit to Balreask Old where they will square up with Navan in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A on Saturday. Kick-off at the Dublin Road venue is 2.30 pm.
Buccs made a sluggish start at home to the Co Meath outfit in early December and cannot afford to let the Hoops build up another head of steam this time round.
The Pirates, helped by some returnees after injury lay-offs, put in their best showing of the season last week against Corinthians. If they can extend the effort and endeavour that they put in for an hour and eliminate errors, the midlanders are capable of upsetting home expectations.
U-20s: Buccaneers U-20s are home to De La Salle Palmerston in the JP Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 Super Six Group 1 on Sunday. Buccs will be keen to make a winning 2025 start to this section when the action kicks off in Dubarry Park at 2.30 pm.
FIRSTS: Galway Corinthians moved to the top of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A following a hard-earned 42-19 victory over Buccaneers at a well attended Dubarry Park on Saturday. This contest was very much in the balance until the three-quarters stage when a home yellow card and penalty try awarded to the visitors sealed the win for the westerners.
SECONDS: Buccaneers Seconds were on the back foot right from the start in their Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior Cup game against Ballinasloe at Moher Road on Sunday.
Buccs were the east Galway outfit’s nemesis last season but the Pirates are a much weaker crew this term and the in-form westerners savoured their 68-0 victory. Buccs were not able to match the hosts despite the best efforts of del Olmo in the forwards exchanges and Cormac McDonagh at fly-half.
GIRLS: The impressive Connacht Division 1 League campaigns for Buccaneers Girls U-14 and U-16 teams came to an end on Saturday.
The U-14s reached the First Division League final against a very well drilled Creggs in Ballinasloe on Saturday last on a very sticky, heavy pitch. Creggs won 38-0.
Despite the result Buccaneers are so pleased with the league campaign and acknowledge the significant achievement of securing a Connacht U-14 Division 1 League silver medal which will be presented at the season end.
Following the match all the girls enjoyed a post-match meal back at the club where the mood was lifted by the congratulations and genuine affection and support that this team and Girls Rugby has within the club.
Buccaneers U-16 Girls secured 3rd place in the Connacht League against Tuam/Oughterard in perfect conditions at Tuam on Saturday morning. The final score 52 (8t 6c) to 22 (4t 1c) did not in any way flatter our girls who simply took the opponents apart with forward dominance allowing the backs do their thing.
This was particularly pleasing as Buccs had suffered a 25-points defeat to the same opposition in Oughterard back in October. The result earns a third seeding for Buccaneers.
NIGEL OWENS LUNCH SOLD OUT: Nigel Owens is proving hugely popular with Buccaneers supporters and patrons as the club’s annual Business Networking Lunch, which takes place in Athlone’s Sheraton Hotel on Friday, February 28th, is already fully booked! There are also some bookings on a waiting list for the event which is super news for the club and reflects commendably on the organisers.
CONGRATULATIONS: Congrats to Bounty staff member Sarah Rockett who has broken the Irish J16 indoor metre record and the indoor 6km records. Rower Sarah is granddaughter of Buccaneers treasurer Michael Kiely.
