Buccaneers seniors commence their season on Saturday when Sligo are visitors to Dubarry Park, kick off 3 pm.
Technically it is a Connacht Senior League fixture but, in these much changed times, it is now titled the Energia Community Series with all clubs confined to competition within their own provinces until the end of 2020.
The north-westerners enjoyed a super campaign last season, winning a Connacht League and Cup double. They will travel in confidence on the back of that memorable feat and will provide a stiff test for what looks a callow Pirates crew.
The Midlanders have buckets of potential but a lack of experience and bulk could militate against them. They recorded an encouraging 17-10 friendly win away to a Corinthians side featuring Peter Claffey last week. This game was played in three thirds with many young players getting a run. New head coach Kolo Kiripati and his assistants Henry Bryce and David Henshaw will primarily be striving to further develop the potential and promise of their mainly youthful squad.
Corey Reid, Rory O’Connor, Luke Carty and Darragh Corbett will be key operators in the backline while the pack will look to Martin Staunton, Ruairi Byrne and new club captain Evan Galvin to show leadership to young forwards such as Darren Browne, Harry O’Reilly, Sean O’Connell and Fergal Galvin.
Evan Galvin is wished the very best as captain, a well deserved honour for a player who always gives of his best and wears his Buccaneers heart on his sleeve. Good luck to all the players and mentors for the season ahead.
Dubarry Park’s official capacity exceeds 5,000 so, under the current Covid-19 guidelines, 200 spectators can attend. However, pre-booking may be necessary so check the club’s website www.buccaneersrfc.com later in the week for details.
Jordan Conroy named in World Sevens Dream Team
Congratulations to Jordan Conroy on being selected on the World Sevens Dream Team. This is a wonderful honour for the Tullamore flyer who was leading try scorer in the Sevens World Series last season notching 28 touchdowns in 30 matches. He has scored an incredible total of 45 tries in 43 games for Ireland Sevens!
