Buccaneers entertain Old Belvedere in their first home game of the new AIB League season when the Dubliners are visitors to Dubarry Park for the second series of matches with a 2.30pm kickoff on Saturday October 7.
The sides played out a highly entertaining final league fixture at Dubarry Park last season when Buccs had to win to ensure survival in division one while Belvo, already assured of their status for this season, fielded an experimental but skilled team that lost 22-16 to a superb late Paul Harte try. Old Belvedere made an impressive start last weekend when accounting for promoted UCC on a 24-3 scoreline with winger Dave Mongan helping himself to a hat-trick of tries. John Kennedy added their fourth try to secure a Bonus point with the vastly-experienced outhalf Andy Dunne landing a brace of conversions. Scrumhalf Ruairi Cushion is another top-notch back while backrowers Richie Leyden and Leo Auva’a are their key forwards.
This will be a tough test for Buccaneers but the Midlanders simply must make home advantage pay. Experienced operators like Colm Rigney, Alex Hayman, and Garreth Halligan must set the tempo and attitude. Adam Kennedy, Conor Higgins, Paul Harte, and Johannes Hendrik (JH ) Potgeiter have bags of talent and potential but are still very much at the development stage. Kennedy and Potgeiter had little more than a solitary training session prior to the Young Munster match to bond, and they are likely to form a more fluent partnership this week although there is a lot resting on young shoulders. They will surely be encouraged to keep it safe and simple, just getting on with their usual type of game as the team builds for the future. John O’Brien and Stephen Burke are two others who have little match practice under their belts and they will be getting stronger and sharper each week.
All-round improvement will be necessary but, if Buccs play to their ability and strengths, then they can square up to the challenges that will be posed by Old Belvedere.
