Match Reports category listing 3 | Buccaneers Rugby Football Club Athlone

A late try secured a narrow 24-22 victory for Young Munster over Buccaneers in a well contested Ulster Bank League Division 1A encounter played in sunny conditions at Tom Clifford Park, Limerick, on Saturday. The bonus point win keeps the Cookies in touch for a Top Four finish while Buccs, who rallied from 19-3 down to edge ahead going in to the final quarter, will gain little solace from their losing bonus point as they strive to avoid relegation.

BUCCANEERS travel to one of the great homes of club rugby in Ireland on Saturday when they square up to Young Munster in their penultimate away fixture in the Ulster Bank League at Tom Clifford Park. The Limerick venue, where home support is absolutely partisan, has seen a number of epic battles in front of bumper crowds between these two clubs who both sport black and gold colours. While this weekend’s joust is unlikely to attract such a large attendance, the outcome of the exchanges which kick off at 2.30 p.m. will nevertheless be of the utmost importance to both the Cookies and the Pirates.

Congratulations to young Buccaneers scrumhalf COLM REILLY who has been named in the Ireland U-19 squad. The richly promising teenager is a product of Garbally College and also his home town club Ballinasloe. Colm has featured regularly for Buccs U-20’s this season in the Leinster League. His father Stephen was also a back of note, serving Ballinasloe for many a season and also wearing Buccaneers colours with distinction. Everyone at Buccaneers wishes Colm every success on his international call-up.

BUCCANEERS remain rooted at the bottom of Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League following their 33-7 home defeat to Clontarf on Friday night. This ‘Ganly’s of Athlone’ sponsored match, which fell victim to the recent snow, was rescheduled under the Dubarry Park floodlights. A cold, wet and windy night meant conditions were testing for player and spectator alike with the elements better suited to the physically stronger visitors whose bonus point victory, allied to Garryowen’s home defeat, saw the Dublin side leap frog a pair of Limerick clubs into the Top Four.

This column last week predicted that “Dubarry Park would be a busy spot”. However, the “beast from the east’s” collision with “storm Emma” meant that virtually all activity was cancelled. Buccaneers home AIL fixture against Clontarf which was postponed has been rescheduled for FRIDAY night next in Dubarry Park. Kick off time under the floodlights is 8 p.m. Both teams are searching for vital points from different perspectives with the visitors chasing a Top Four play-off berth while Buccs are seeking to climb away from the bottom of the league table. Hopefully, the Pirates will play to their potential and, if they do, they could surprise Tarf who have lost three of their last four matches to slip down the league table. A big attendance on the day could help the midlanders.

BUCCANEERS 22 GALWEGIANS 10

BUCCANEERS are home to Clontarf in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday when the action kicks off at 2.30 p.m. With the league entering the final four rounds of fixtures, the stakes are raised for all the teams and Buccs and Tarf will be battling for these precious points, albeit from differing perspectives. The midlanders prop up the league table and desperately need a change for better fortune in this Ganly’s of Athlone sponsored game while the northside Dubliners are still chasing a Top Four berth.

The Ireland and Scotland teams served up a highly entertaining Clubs International contest with the home nation edging the decision 26-23 in a thrilling finish at Dubarry Park. There was a decent attendance at the Athlone venue despite the bitterly cold night and little or no promotion in the national media for this fixture. The hardy spectators were well rewarded with a lively and committed affair from start to finish.

BUCCANEERS travel to College Park, Dublin, where they square up to Dublin University in an Ulster Bank League match in which both clubs will be desperately seeking victory on Saturday. This basement battle kicks off at 2.30 p.m. and total commitment will be anticipated from start to finish as the teams scrap for the win that could prove so vital to their survival prospects in Division 1A.