JUNIOR DOUBLE HOME BILL ON SUNDAY
BUCCANEERS Juniors have a double bill at Dubarry Park on Sunday. The Seconds are home to Monivea in the Connacht J1 League in a must win fixture. This Buccs side performed excellently last season but have struggled to replicate that form in this campaign. They currently lie in 6th place in the league table, just above Sunday’s opponents. Both teams will be desperate for a greatly needed victory so a competitive battle is anticipated. This is a youthful Pirates crew with much potential so if they apply themselves with composure and discipline they should make a winning start to 2023.
The Thirds have enjoyed a good season to date coming out tops in their Connacht J2 League pool to qualify for 2A in the next stage where they lost their opening match away to Westport. There was just a solitary score in that contest but more are likely on Sunday when Galwegians Thirds come to Athlone. The light blues recorded a clearcut 40-10 win against Ballinrobe Seconds in their opener so Buccs will need to be focussed and firing on all cylinders to make home advantage pay in what should be a compelling encounter.
Both fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 2.30 p.m. in Dubarry Park on Sunday.
BUCCS SENIORS HOME TO NAAS ON SATURDAY WEEK
BUCCANEERS opening game of 2023 will now be their return Energia All-Ireland League fixture at home to Naas on Saturday week, January 14th. This Division 1B game will kick off at 2.30 p.m. in Dubarry Park when the Pirates will be primed to atone for their last gasp defeat against the Cobras in Tullow. Meanwhile, the IRFU has rescheduled Buccs duel with Queen’s University in the Bateman Cup to Saturday, February 4th. This All-Ireland semi-final will get under way in Athlone at 2.30 p.m. on the day.
