Considering the club’s successes on the playing fields over the recent season there was a surprisingly sparse attendance at Buccaneers Rugby Football Club’s Annual General Meeting held in The Bounty.
Outgoing President Eamon Collins welcomed those present to the first AGM in two years due to the pandemic disruption. “The successes were due to everyone’s efforts” and he thanked all who had assisted at the club, especially team coaches and managers who gave their time freely.
The small but hard-working executive committee had been a huge source of support during his extended period in office and he was especially grateful for the enthusiasm and endeavour of club administrator Geraldine Kenny to whom he presented a well-merited bouquet of flowers.
He thanked “all the volunteers across the board” as well as the ladies committee, club sponsors and the crew at The Bounty.
“It was an honour and a privilege” to be club president and he concluded by wishing all the best to the incoming committee and mentors particularly Billy McMickan who succeeds Eamon in this prominent role.
On Field Achievements Recalled
After an inauspicious start for the Buccaneers first team, the season proved immensely successful culminating in a thrilling and dramatic final Energia All-Ireland League victory away to Queen’s University that secured promotion to Division 1B.
Buccaneers made a bright start to their AIL campaign keeping among the pacesetters for the first third, then undergoing a bit of a blip either side of the mid-season break, before regaining their momentum in the final straight notably scoring 60 points in two successive matches. Vital wins in the last three fixtures ensured qualification for the play-offs where Buccs stunned a strongly fancied Queen’s and captured the title with the team’s best all-round performance of the year.
It was true squad effort all season with captain Evan Galvin leading his mainly young teammates by example. Kolo and Henry are to be complimented on their massive and influential coaching work which paid such rich dividends. Senior Manager, Joe Browne, also made a huge contribution particularly in getting the players to buy in to the camaraderie of the club.John Doyle, Benny Gilligan and Paul Byrne and the whole backroom team including Director of Rugby David Connolly and our Club Person of the Year Martin Webster are to be lauded for the successes, spirit and style of the team through a challenging return to rugby after lockdown.
Paul and Benny along with Jimmy Digan also had a rewarding season steering the Junior squad that shows immense promise for campaigns ahead. Their youthful charges captained by Colin Daly were competitive, finishing third in the Connacht J1A league and qualified for the semi-final. They went one step further in the Junior Cup, knocking out league table-toppers Creggs away enroute. They really put it up to hot favourites Connemara in the final, outscoring the Blacks by 4 tries to 3 but went down with considerable pride and promise. They did capture silverware, winning the Cawley Cup Plate final against NUIG.
Buccaneers U20s enjoyed a 100% success rate in Leinster where they won all 11 league matches in the J.P.Fanagan Premier 3 Division and then continuing in similar vein in the play-offs to capture the title. They followed that up with a tremendous Harry Gale Cup success ensuring that it was the first time that both trophies were taken out of the province.
With so many teams doing so well it is mystifying how Buccaneers did not win the Connacht Club of the Year award! However, Charlie Couper received a long overdue ‘Coach of the Year’ accolade.
Womens rugby was rejuvenated, led by Mele Kiripati with primary assistance from Hazel Kilduff and coach Martin Staunton. An amalgamation with Galway Corinthians resulted in progress to the Connacht Cup final where the team was decidedly unfortunate not to win.
Youths secretary, Brendan Wilkins, thanked all parents and volunteers who helped during restrictions. He was pleased that all youths teams finished in the top three in their respective Connacht Leagues while all teams bar one contested Connacht Cup finals.
Minis secretary Rory Walsh also thanked parents who assisted during the season. Minis participated in ten blitzes during the season, a highly creditable 10 local national schools fielding 25 teams at the season ending event held at Dubarry Park.
Denis O’Connor’s Touch Rugby report revealed further good news with six youth players and three adults being capped. Buccaneers is the leading host club for Touch Rugby, Rory Silke continuing his family’s tradition of rugby volunteerism with his management role for the Ireland M45 squad who will be competing in the European championships next month.
