Buccaneers will surely face a tough test on Saturday afternoon when arch rivals Galwegians come to Dubarry Park, Athlone, for a greatly anticipated Connacht Senior League clash kicking off at 3pm on Saturday September 17.
Wegians will look to the guile of John Cleary, Dave Clarke, and Brian Murphy in their backline where Ronan Burke, Pat Finn, Gary O’Brien, and Barry Lee are challenging strongly for AIL starting berths. A formidable front row in Jason East, Conor Muldoon, and Jamie Stephens anchors their pack along with lock Brian McClearn and exciting young No 8 Eoin McKeon. Liam Scahill, Ivan Muldoon, and Dave O’Hara are other forwards who will endeavour to make life difficult for Buccs. They arrive in Athlone on the back of three straight wins in the CSL.
However, while the Midlanders’ squad is youthful in the main, there is tons of experience among the players. Leaders like Alex Hayman, Garreth Halligan, James Tormey, and Michael Diffley will surely step up to the challenge posed by the light blues. If they do, then the exhuberance and skills of John O’Brien, Adam Kennedy, Mark Dolan, Denis Buckley, and Sean Stapleton may just be enough to edge what is likely to be a finely balanced contest in favour of Buccaneers. Kolo Kiripati and Michael Kearney are doubtful due to injury as are Paul Harte and Padraig deBurca.
