Buccaneers Rugby Football Club celebrate a hugely successful season when their annual awards presentation ceremony takes place on this Saturday, May 14, in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe.
Four ‘Player of the Year’ awards are will be presented as well as the accolade of Buccaneers Club ‘Person of the Year’ with the winners being announced on the night. Club players who represented Ireland and indeed the British & Irish Lions will also be honoured at the event which has a scheduled 7pm start.
The Buccaneers senior squad won the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A title (and with it promotion to 1B ) in a thrilling and excellent play-off final as well as capturing the Connacht Senior Cup.
The U20s recorded a never before feat of a Leinster double, taking two trophies beyond the ‘pale’ and province for the first time ever. These young Buccs won the J.P.Fanagan Leinster Premier League 3 title as well as the Harry Gale Cup.
The women’s team contested the Connacht Cup final in which they were unlucky to taste defeat. Meanwhile, the young junior squad improved in leaps and bounds as the season progressed, reaching the league semi-final and progressing to the Connacht Cup final.
At youths level, five of the club’s six teams reached Connacht Cup finals - a remarkable achievement - so much to celebrate on Saturday night!
Smart casual is the dress code and we can count on the ladies to put on the style for the occasion and will expect the guys to do likewise - no jeans, gentlemen!
Connacht captain and Ireland international Jack Carty will present during the awards presentations which will follow a four-course dinner. Tickets cost only €40 each and can be purchased by contacting the club’s Administrator Geraldine at 0861732711.
Tables for families, teams or groups can be arranged if requested in good time. Early booking is recommended for this event which will celebrate a highly successful season for Buccaneers.
Award Presentation Nominations
Senior team player of the year - Ciaran Booth; Evan Galvin; Shane Layden
Junior team player of the year - Colin Daly; Cedric Fokam; Cathal O’Grady
U20’s team player of the year - Luke Balsiger; David Colgan; Cian McCann
Women’s team player of the year - Lucy Egan; Aoibhe Kelly; Justine Walsh
Annual General Meeting
Buccaneers RFC Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place in The Lower Deck at Dubarry Park on Friday, May 27, at 8pm. Proposals/motions and/or nominations must be submitted to the club’s Honorary Secretary by tomorrow, Friday, May 13.
Summer Tag League
Buccaneers annual Summer Mixed Tag League commences on Thursday, May 26, and will run until July 29. Entries are invited from teams or individuals and no rugby playing experience is necessary. There will be two divisions this summer for this seven a side tournament. Three female players must be on pitch at all times.
Month’s Mind Mass for Pat Hynes
A Month’s Mind Mass for Pat Hynes will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Moore, on Sunday morning, May 15, at 11.30am.
Connacht Rugby Awards
The Connacht Rugby Awards Ball takes place this Friday, May 13, at the Clayton Hotel, Galway, from 7 pm.
Buccaneers have nominations in four categories including ‘Coach of the Year’ (Charlie Couper ), ‘Women’s Club Player of the Year’ (Hazel Kilduff ) and ‘Men’s Senior Club Player of the Year’ (Shane Layden ). The fourth nominations is for ‘Club of the Year’. Meanwhile, Jack Carty and Shane Delahunt are among the nominees for the fan’s ‘Player of the Year’ accolade.
Tickets for the ball cost €110 and can be purchased by contacting Trish Walsh at [email protected].
