Match Reports category listing | Buccaneers Rugby Football Club Athlone

BUCCANEERS return to Division 1A action in the forthcoming Ulster Bank League with a juicy opening fixture in which they host Lansdowne at Dubarry Park on Saturday, September 16^th. Lansdowne, coached by former Ireland U-20 and Wales supremo Mike Ruddock, have a trio of young ex-Pirates in their ranks in Charlie McMickan, Jacob Walshe and Josh O’Rourke. Young Munster are next to arrive in Athlone with Trinity, Cork Con, UCD and St. Mary’s all due to visit the midlands pre-Christmas. The Pirates first away game is against Garryowen with trips to Clontarf, Terenure and St. Mary’s College to follow pre the mid-season break, which is much briefer than last year as the AIL resumes on the first weekend in January.

Darin Claasen and Mike McCarthy have been unveiled as the coaching duo in charge of Buccaneers as the Athlone club gears up for life in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League.

 DAVE HEFFERNAN became the latest Buccaneers player to win a Senior Ireland cap when he came on as a substitute in the recent win over USA. A versatile player, Heffernan first played in Buccs backrow where Connacht also utilised him. In more recent seasons the Ballina native was switched with considerable success to front row duty and he has come on in leaps and bounds as hooker in the past couple of years. Congrats Dave.

It may be June (the supposed off-season!) but three Buccaneers players are currently involved in international action. Topping the bill is Robbie Henshaw who follows up his debut for the British & Irish Lions against the Blues with selection on the Lions starting XV to face the Highlanders this Tuesday. Henshaw is the first Athlonian to wear the famous red jersey and everyone at Buccaneers and in the town and its surrounds are mightily proud of the 23-year-old’s achievements. Here’s hoping his form will earn him a place in the test sides for the much anticipated matches against world champions New Zealand.

ROBBIE HENSHAW has been selected on the Lions team to start against the Blues on Wednesday. We wish Robbie the best of luck and hope his performance will earn him selection for the test matches against the colour that really matters....the All Blacks!