BUCCS HOME TO BLACKROCK IN AIL ON SATURDAY

The Energia All-Ireland League resumes on Saturday when Buccaneers have a highly attractive fixture against Blackrock College at Dubarry Park. Kick-off for this Division 1B encounter is 2.30 p.m.

Buccs, giving their best display of this season’s AIL, surprised third-placed Rock at Stradbrook just before Christmas. The city side will be smarting from that defeat which meant they lost valuable ground on the two pacesetters in this division. They will surely be highly determined and more organised for their trip to the midlands where the Pirates will need to replicate the commitment, discipline and enterprise shown in that morale boosting success.

Their self-belief will have been further bolstered by last week’s hard-earned Cup win. Skipper Frank Hopkins remains an injury doubt but Danny Qualter led his pack superbly at Rock and if that unit holds their own again and Buccs keep grafting in this manner then they will forge more victories.