The English Premiership is not the only sport with an early starting date this season as Connacht club rugby gets under way this coming weekend when Buccaneers host Galwegians in the opening round of the Connacht Senior League, the action, and indeed the season, kicking off in Dubarry Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.
At this stage of the season squad news is limited ahead of this encounter between two of the province’s keenest rivals. Both clubs fared poorly in last year’s Connacht League and will be eager to address that this time round.
Buccaneers improved immeasurably as the season progressed, capturing the Connacht Senior Cup before winning promotion to Division 1B in the All-Ireland League. ‘Wegians had a torrid AIL campaign but came good when it mattered in the closing furlong to preserve their Division 2B status, consigning Connacht League winners Ballina to Division 2C in the process.
On the foregoing stats, Buccaneers will be favourites particularly with home advantage, but form and expectations can go ‘out the window’ in duels between these two great rivals. The Pirates successful run in the AIL was boosted by the availability of their Connacht Academy contingent but they are not allowed play in the Connacht League. Thus, the Shannonsiders, under new head coach Eddie O’Sullivan, will look to Martin Staunton (captain for this season ), Shane Layden, Danny Qualter and Stephen Mannion to lead from the front.
Michael Hanley, Frankie Hopkins, Rory O’Connor, Saul O’Carroll and Tom Shine are lively options in the backline while young forwards Cian McCann, Darren Browne, James Kelly and Sean O’Connell will be striving to lay down markers for starting berths. Returning head coach O’Sullivan has had his charges back training since early July so he should have strong ideas on team selection at this stage. If all the aforementioned players are available on Saturday, the midlanders can make a positive beginning under the former Ireland supremo.
Connacht v Sale Sharks at Dubarry Park
Connacht Rugby have confirmed an attractive friendly fixture against Sale Sharks to be played in Dubarry Park on Friday, August 26, with a kick off time of 7pm and tickets are now on sale at the club. Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 to purchase. Tickets are priced at €10 per adult and €5 for juniors. Connacht season tickets will be valid for this fixture.
Home fans will be eager to see skipper Jack Carty, the Murray brothers Niall and Darragh, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki in action up close and personal.
Sale Sharks play in the English Premiership and include England internationals Tom Curry, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Simpson and Josh Beaumont (son of Bill ) as well as a shoal of South Africans in their squad. A big physical side they should prove a formidable challenge for Connacht and will surely attract a big attendance to the Athlone venue.
Meanwhile, Connacht will face Leinster in two Youths interpros at Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon, August 27th. Admission is free to both these matches.
Congratulations to Ciaran Booth, Sam Illo, Shane Jennings, Oisin McCormack and Darragh Murray who have all been promoted from the Connacht Academy to the Senior squad. They all contributed significantly to Buccaneers successes last season and, hopefully, they may all get some game time against Sale Sharks. Best of luck guys in the next stage of your rugby careers
Membership Subscriptions
Annual membership subscriptions are now coming due and can be paid online by logging on to the club’s website at www.buccaneersrfc.com and clicking on the relevant section, e.g. youth, junior, adult, etc.
Congratulations
Connacht U17s scored an impressive 29-17 victory over Ulster with no less than eight young Buccaneers featuring in the victorious squad. Thomas Cotton, Charlie O’Carroll, Callum Kelly, Dylan Bruton, Conor Dowling, Otega Awhinawhi, Eoin Naughton and Thomas Bourke were the Pirates contingent in this fine achievement. They play their Munster counterparts this Friday when Jack Pollard may also be involved.
Connacht U18s made it a notable double over the northerners when recording an emphatic 45-7 win over Ulster Schools. A Pirates trio Niall Tallon, Sean Rohan and Patrick Egan featured in this comprehensive victory.
