BUCCANEERS kick off their All-Ireland League campaign with an intrigueing home fixture against Naas on Saturday. This Division 1B encounter kicks off in Dubarry Park at 2.30 p.m. The teams’ only previous meetings were in this division two seasons ago with the Pirates coming out on top on both occasions. Both matches were finely balanced, exciting jousts so spectators will be hoping for more of the same in Athlone on Saturday.
BUCCANEERS made a winning start to the Connacht Junior 1A League when they defeated Sligo 22-18 in a well-contested opener at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday.
BUCCANEERS 36 GALWEGIANS 33
Connacht Eagles will take on Welsh club Ospreys at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Friday evening, September 21st. This floodlit Celtic League fixture kicks off at 7 p.m. and the home province will likely feature a raft of young Buccaneers players in their match squad.
Ten tries shared evenly, 69 points scored and just the minimum dividing the teams may indicate a cracking Connacht Senior League duel between Buccaneers and Sligo at Dubarry Park on Saturday. However, exciting though it may have been at times and especially in a nail-biting finish, overall this was a frustrating exhibition for both sets of supporters. Buccs will have been the happier having played below par to survive a massive scare to win 35-34 but Sligo will feel this is one that really got away from them.
Connacht Clubs U-18’s enjoyed a clean sweep in the inter-provincial Festival of Rugby played in Limerick over the past week. They kicked off their pathway to silverware by forging a last move 33-29 victory over Leinster and followed that up with a 47-17 rout of Munster. They completed a notable treble when demolishing Ulster 41-15 in their final fixture.
BUCCANEERS made a winning start to the defence of their Connacht Senior League title by inflicting a first home defeat in over a year on Ballina with Buccs coming out on top 49-19 at Heffernan Park on Saturday. The relatively youthful Pirates crew hit the ground running against the Mayo club who have regained Senior status and who will shortly compete in the All-Ireland League. Three converted tries in the opening quarter laid the foundation for this fully merited victory by the midlanders.
