Match Reports category listing 3 | Buccaneers Rugby Football Club Athlone

The Buccaneers President’s XV denied Exiles making it three in-a-row successes when they proved convincing 29-12 victors in the traditional St. Stephen’s Day fixture at Dubarry Park, Athlone. Back-boned by a quartet of Byrnes, the President’s men took the game to the holders from the off. Played in cold but otherwise ideal conditions, the winners were the better outfit for the majority of what was a lively and open affair. Among the interested spectators were South African duo Dylan Rogers and Gavin Schoeman who both played with Buccaneers. Rogers is now a Hong Kong international while Schoeman is one of Buccs most respected forwards.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE swiftly avenged last week’s home defeat to Buccaneers when they overcame the midlanders 22-6 in their Ulster Bank League Division 1A match played at Dubarry Park on Saturday. The Dublin side, bolstered by the return of Ireland Sevens player Terry Kennedy at fullback and the restoration of fit again Sean Kearns to fly-half, were the better outfit for the majority of this contest. This was Buccs poorest display since the opening game of last season at Ballynahinch.

BUCCANEERS finally found the winning formula as they forged their first victory in the Ulster Bank League this season when holding off the challenge of University College Dublin to emerge with a 19-13 win at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. Buccs put in another passionate and sustained collective effort that earned the Pirates a richly deserved if long overdue maiden victory in Division 1A. On a nippy but sunny afternoon a well-contested and absorbing encounter unfolded that ensured the spectators did not notice the cold. Despite the recent downpours, the pitch although soft stood up very well to the action.

 BUCCANEERS SECONDS overcame Westport 17-12 in a hard-fought Connacht Junior 1A League game contested in difficult conditions at Dubarry Park on Sunday. A heavy side pitch and murky weather did not suit the slighter home squad but their eager and more enterprising play was rewarded with a richly deserved victory that moves them up to third place in the league table.

(Senior match report courtesy of Michael Stapleton)

TERENURE COLLEGE maintained their impressive start to the Ulster Bank League Division 1A when overcoming Buccaneers 27-21 at sunny but cold Lakelands Park on Saturday. But the Dubliners had to battle much harder than they may have anticipated to overcome gritty Buccs sustained challenge that earned the visitors their first league point of the campaign. Meanwhile Terenure remain in second place, hot on the heels of fellow metropolitans Lansdowne.

Two promising young Buccaneers players THOMAS AHERN and SAUL O'CARROLL have been included in the Ireland U-18 Clubs squad to play Portugal next weekend. Best of luck to these young guys! 

BUCCANEERS suffered their fifth successive defeat when losing 30-14 to Dublin University in their Ulster Bank League encounter at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. The midlanders are finding life in Division 1A extremely unrelenting and their cause is not being helped by a growing list of injuries particularly to experienced and stronger personnel.