MICHAEL SILKE
During these unchartered pandemic times when lockdown has imposed on so much, including the cancellation of rugby activities for a prolonged period, Buccaneers Rugby Football Club undertook to raise some greatly needed funds for both the club and South Westmeath Hospice.
Lady members, Judy Dowling and Geraldine Kenny, spearheaded this laudable effort as they asked members and their families and friends to walk, run or cycle 2,986 kilometres, equal to the distance travelled by Buccaneers Senior team in a season to away fixtures to the other clubs in their All-Ireland League division.
With many income streams and events for the hospice ceased due to the pandemic, this most worthwhile project merited support. Many members got active, whilst socially distancing, and some took on trickier challenges such as Sean O’Connell who climbed Croagh Patrick for the cause.
So well done to everyone who participated and to Judy and Geraldine for leading this fund-raiser with the income raised divided evenly between the two organisations.
South Westmeath Hospice provides best palliative care and support for patients and their families, and is clearly a voluntary group highly worthy of support.
The monies generated were presented on behalf of Buccaneers by Judy Dowling to Clare Lennon, chairperson of South Westmeath Hospice, and Ted Carty, board member of the hospice.
Day to Remember for Buccaneers U10s
It was a day to remember for Buccaneers U10s girls and boys who played during half-time of Connacht’s recent European Champions Cup game against Stade Francais at Galway Sportsground.
They witnessed the western province, skippered by one of their own Jack Carty, demolish the Parisian side with a record 36-9 margin in the competition.
Carty was man of the match while other Buccaneers players played key roles too with Eoghan Masterson rowing in with a try and young Niall Murray going from strength to strength this season. Shane Delahunt and Dave Heffernan shared the hooker duties on a memorable afternoon.
50/50 Draw
Kiera Ward was the winner last week in Buccaneers RFC weekly ‘50/50 Draw’ and she receives €153.
Seasons Greetings
The ongoing pandemic continues to make life difficult for us all with social interaction problematic and the current 8pm lockdown appears to this writer to be half-baked and not fully thought out.
However, the return to playing rugby has been a tonic, giving us a lift after two dark years during which we have lost too many club and family members. Keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, the New Year will bring better times and, meanwhile, we wish all our members and their families peace and happiness at this extraordinary Christmas time and good health and joy in 2022.
Finally, we thank everyone who has contributed to Buccaneers RFC during another challenging year, be it by coaching young players, managing a team, officiating or administrating in some capacity, or through sponsorship. Remember to support our sponsors whenever you can. Thanks too to the media for their coverage of matters Buccaneers throughout 2021.
