Buccaneers bid to clinch League Title at Home to Naas
Buccaneers RFC can clinch the Division 1B League title when they take on Naas in an Ulster Bank League showdown at Dubarry Park on Saturday. This mouth-watering clash kicks off at 2.30 p.m. and should draw a bumper crowd to the Athlone venue.
Pre-Match For Saturday’s Big Match
There will be a pre-match function with guest speaker in The Bounty for Buccs crunch encounter against Naas on Saturday where victory would ensure promotion for the Athlone club. Cost is €30 which covers 3-course meal with wine, 100 page programme and free admission to the big match. Former international referee David McHugh is the guest speaker. He is a witty raconteur who can also tell jokes against himself. Groups or individuals can be catered for. To book, please contact Geraldine 0861732711 or Pat Hynes 0876883833.
Other Fixtures
Buccaneers U-20’s J.P.Fanagan Leinster Premier 2 match against Naas was cancelled last weekend and is rescheduled for Sunday next in Dubarry Park. Kick off is 3 p.m. These young Buccs will be keen to maintain their 100% home record which would keep them in a clear second place on the league table.
Buccaneers Women’s team complete their Connacht Womens League campaign with a home fixture against Carrick-On-Shannon also in Dubarry Park on Sunday with a likely earlier kick-off. They face Tuam in the Connacht Cup final on Sunday week.
Results
NUIG 32 Buccaneers 5
Leaders NUIG continued their impressive run in the Connacht Womens League when they defeated Buccaneers 32-5 at Dangan, Galway, on Sunday. On a sandy pitch but otherwise fine conditions, this was a really good contest that was closer than the scoreline suggests and Buccs, fielding what could be termed an ‘experimental’ side, will take great encouragement from their endeavours.
NUIG scored three tries in each half but some of these scores emanated from little errors that made the difference as the College outfit were sharper overall. Buccs, despite playing a number of players out of position, fronted up quite well with prop Katie Ryan acquitting herself well at flanker and lock Andrea Antonissen excelling on the wing while Tracy Finnerty took four balls against the head at scrumtime. Hazel Kilduff was the Pirates try scorer.
Buccaneers:- S.Hennessy; J.Dowling, S.Egan, H.Kilduff, A.Antonissen; E.O’Brien, N.Gough; L.Flynn, T.Finnerty, S.Kelly; D.Cromar, G.Kostanyan; A.Kemmy, K.Ryan and L.Stuart-Trainor. Replacement:- N.Ni Dhroma.
Catherine Fulvio Cookery Demonstration
Buccaneers RFC is hosting a Cookery Demonstration by noted TV chef and food writer Catherine Fulvio in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on Wednesday, April 5th. The evening begins with a Cheese & Wine Reception at 7.30 p.m. Tickets €20 can be purchased now at the hotel, The Bounty, and A Room In Bloom. This promises to be an enjoyable event and all support will be greatly appreciated.
Easter Rugby Camp at Buccaneers RFC
Following the success of last year’s inaugural Easter Rugby Camp for boys and girls aged 6 to 13 years old, it will be held again this year at Dubarry Park from Tuesday, April 18th to Friday 21st during the school holidays. Qualified coaches will oversee this camp in which rugby skills will be coached in a fun and friendly environment. Contact Geraldine 0861732711 to book.
Irish Third Level Finals At Dubarry Park on Wednesday
Athlone Institute of Technology won the bid to host the 2017 Student Sport Ireland/IRFU All Ireland Rugby finals. Supported by Buccaneers RFC, the finals will all be held at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on this Wednesday, March 22nd.
Athlone I.T. and I.T.Carlow have dominated the Mens Senior Division for the past number of years with Athlone contesting the past seven finals in succession, winning the most recent three. I.T.Carlow are there again this season but, unfortunately, a new force emerged from Garda College who overcame the holders to advance to Wednesday’s decider. This is the top match of the day, with the winners being presented with the Brendan Johnston Cup, and it kicks off at 7 p.m.
Five finals will be played on the day and Athlone I.T. have representation in the opening match at 2.30 p.m. when they face University of Limerick ‘B’ in the Women’s Division 2 final with the victors also winning promotion. The Men’s Division 3 final features UCC against Belfast Met at 3 p.m. and the Men’s Division 2 decider between University of Limerick and I.T. Tallaght gets under way at 4.30 p.m. Completing a busy day’s action, NUI Galway square up to University of Limerick in the Womens Division 1 final at 5 p.m.