Buccaneers resume All Ireland League action this Saturday when high flying Bruff make a first senior visit to Athlone for a hugely anticipated division 1B clash at Dubarry Park, kick off 2.30pm. The Limerick club, playing at this level for the first time in their short AIL history, have really been on a roll since Buccs defeated them at Kilballyowen Park in their opening home game of this campaign. They have lost just once in the interim and are proving cup specialists with a first ever Munster Senior Cup triumph and have since progressed to the final of the new look All Ireland Senior Cup following a last kick 24-22 win over UCD in the semi-final last Sunday.
This is going to be a really tough, searching test for Buccaneers who have also lost just a single match since these sides met in early October. Buccs are now lying second in the league table but, worryingly, they have had no match since their last home fixture on November 27. That’s an incredible nine weeks without a game and may leave the Midlanders somewhat ring rusty and under-prepared for this vital match.
When the sides met in round two of the AIL, Bruff mentors were fearful that their virtually all local squad would find the going difficult in division 1B but they have a terrific team spirit, good rugby nous and know what they are good at. They possess a spirited and cute pack led by hooker Cathal O’Regan and wily backrower Peter Malone. David Horan, younger brother of Ireland’s Marcus, is an industrious and mobile prop and John Shine a more than useful flanker in a very tidy pack that yielded two late pushover tries to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against UCD, against whom they also helped themselves to an early penalty try due to the cohesion and endeavour of their forwards. They play to their strengths, which is mainly in the pack, but they have plenty of guile in the backline too where a trio of Cahill brothers dictate play as well as reaping dividends from virtually every placekick that they are awarded. Fullback Brendan Deady is another young talented operator.
The home pack must front up to the visitors and stop them getting up a head of steam. Here Garreth Halligan, Kolo Kiripati, Stephen Burke, and Colin Watters must lead from the front. Conor Higgins, Martin Staunton, James Tormey, and Padraig de Burca will be their likely and able accomplices, Daniel Qualter being absent due to his involvement with the Ireland u20 squad. Marcus Madden and Dylan Rogers could also make an impact in what will surely be a dogged battle between the respective packs.
Provided recent lack of match action does not impact negatively on Buccs (and coach Hendre Marnitz and his backroom team have been working hard to counter the lack of matches ), the Midlanders have the overall balance to swing this tie. However, an all-round sustained and composed effort, allied with to good discipline, can edge the verdict provided Buccs match Bruff’s undoubted determination and decent organisation.
