Match Reports category listing | Buccaneers Rugby Football Club Athlone

MU BARNHALL maintained their fantastic winning streak when defeating Buccaneers 34-10 in their Energia All-Ireland League match played at bitterly cold Parsonstown, Leixlip, on Saturday. The west Dublin club strengthened their grip at the top of Division 2A in the process while Buccs remain in eighth position. The homesters fielded a settled side while the understrength midlanders had a handful of alterations including a couple of late changes with Conor Kenny being pulled by Connacht at the eleventh hour and Callum Boland not recovering from illness in time to play. Teenagers Harry O’Reilly and Darren Browne were in the front row and Ruairi Byrne returned at lock with injury ruling out Sean Masterson, Rory Grenham and Rory Moloney as well as centre Corey Reid. Darragh Corbett was unavailable due to GAA commitments so Rory O’Connor and Michael Hanley started in the backline.

A more physical and committed Corinthians overcame Buccaneers 32-23 in their Connacht Senior Cup semi-final played in near ideal conditions under the Dubarry Park floodlights on Thursday night. The Tribesmens pack was the dominant force in the tight and their defence was generally uncompromising against a much-changed home outfit.

BUCCANEERS scored a bonus point 31-26 victory over Ballymena in a lively and entertaining Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. This was a most encouraging and committed display by the Pirates and victory, their first in this season’s AIL, was all the more welcome bearing in mind missing key personnel as well as somehow incurring four yellow cards.

RAINEY OLD BOYS emerged comfortable winners over Buccaneers in the first ever meeting of the two clubs in the Energia All-Ireland League at Hatrick Park, Magherafelt, on Saturday. At the compact neat venue, the Co. Derry side got the scoreboard working early on their way to a 34-10 Division 1A victory. On a sunny afternoon, conditions were near perfect for this fixture.

BUCCANEERS kicked off life in Division 2A of the Energia All-Ireland League with a very disappointing 24-6 home defeat to Queen’s University at rain sodden Dubarry Park on Saturday. Buccs fielded a massively changed squad for this encounter against the side they had played in their most recent AIL fixture, a play-off at the Athlone venue last May. The Pirates kicked off with only five starters from that match while Queen’s, fresh from their Ulster Cup triumph, were able to call on the bulk of their panel from last season.

 HARRY’S GAME!

BUCCANEERS tamely surrendered their grip on the Connacht Senior League title when they were comprehensively defeated by Ballina 45-24 in the final fixture of this season’s campaign played in dull conditions at Dubarry Park on Saturday. Buccs were unable to match “Dublin’s strive for five” when they came up against a rejuvenated Mayo outfit as they suffered a first home CSL defeat in five years.

BUCCANEERS host Ballina in their final Connacht Senior League fixture of the season in Dubarry Park tomorrow (Saturday). Kick off is 2.30 p.m. for this contest as Buccs strive for five league titles in succession. A big ask as they must better Sligo's result by 30 points. All support welcome.

BUCCANEERS maintained the pressure on leaders Sligo with a commendable 31-17 Connacht Senior League victory over Galwegians at Crowley Park, Glenina, on Saturday. Buccs were the superior of two youthful, developing sides and were good value for their bonus point win in a game played in dry but breezy conditions.