Buccaneer’s Juniors have a double bill at Dubarry Park on Sunday. The Seconds are home to Monivea in the Connacht J1 League in a must win fixture. This Buccs side performed excellently last season but have struggled to replicate that form in this campaign. They currently lie in 6th place in the league table, just above Sunday’s opponents. Both teams will be desperate for a greatly needed victory so a competitive battle is anticipated. This is a youthful Pirates crew with much potential so if they apply themselves with composure and discipline they should make a winning start to 2023.
The Thirds have enjoyed a good season to date coming out tops in their Connacht J2 League pool to qualify for 2A in the next stage where they lost their opening match away to Westport. There was just a solitary score in that contest but more are likely on Sunday when Galwegians Thirds come to Athlone. The light blues recorded a clearcut 40-10 win against Ballinrobe Seconds in their opener so Buccs will need to be focussed and firing on all cylinders to make home advantage pay in what should be a compelling encounter.
Both fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 2.30pm in Dubarry Park on Sunday.
Seniors Home to Naas on Saturday Week
Buccaneers opening game of 2023 will now be their return Energia All-Ireland League fixture at home to Naas on Saturday week, January 14. This Division 1B game will kick off at 2.30pm in Dubarry Park when the Pirates will be primed to atone for their last gasp defeat against the Cobras in Tullow.
Meanwhile, the IRFU has rescheduled Buccs duel with Queen’s University in the Bateman Cup to Saturday, February 4. This All-Ireland semi-final will get under way in Athlone at 2.30pm on the day.
Fun Run Thank You
There was a sizeable turnout for the New Year’s Day FUN RUN at the club with precious funds generated for both Buccaneers Youths section and equally for St Hilda’s Services. The club thanks everyone who turned up and supported this event which will surely become an annual event to start the year.
Thanks too to the various volunteers who helped organise and steward the FUN RUN. First three runners home were Kevin Moore (1st ), Liam O’Brien (2nd ) and Adam Courtney (3rd ).
Murray Brothers
Congratulations to Niall and Darragh Murray who formed a very able second row pairing for Connacht away to Leinster on New Year’s Day when the South Roscommon brothers acquitted themselves very well at the RDS. They won as many Leinster lineouts as their own and their partnership will surely feature again for the western province. Leinster may have won comfortably in the end but the final margin flattered the table-toppers somewhat.
2023 Calendars
Buccaneer’s 2023 calendars are available at €10 each. All teams from leprechauns all the way up to the senior squad are featured in this fine full colour production. Calendars can be purchased from our Administrator Geraldine at the club’s office in The Bounty. All team managers/coaches also should have supplies for their respective squads to purchase.
Condolences
Heartfelt condolences are extended to the McDonagh and McCarth families on the untimely passing of Joan McDonagh, sister of Tony McCarth and sister-in-law of Michael Ganly. Deepest sympathy is extended to Paddy Kenny and the Kearney family on the death of his father-in-law Sean Kearney and to the family of Mike Corrigan on his unexpected passing in California. May they all rest in peace.
