BUCCS U-20s BID TO CAPTURE LEAGUE TITLE
BUCCANEERS U-20s bid for glory when they travel to Kilternan in the south Dublin foothills to take on De La Salle Palmerston in their final J.P.Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 division fixture on Sunday. This ‘Super Six Group One’ game kicks off in Kirwan Park at 3 p.m.
In an extremely tight finish to this league, three clubs are still very much in contention. Buccs top the league table on 33 points with St. Mary’s College on 31 and Blackrock College on 30 breathing down their necks. They are playing each other in their final fixture and the winner there would profit if Buccs slip up. But the Athlonians have destiny in their own hands. Forge a victory against DLSP and they will create history by capturing this title for the first time.
This is a well-balanced Buccaneers outfit who have improved immeasurably as the season progressed. They have been coached astutely and will surely be fully focussed on the task on hand against DLSP. Sean Doyle and Dylan Duffy incurred injuries against Dublin University that will rule them out but Buccs will be hopeful that Niall Tallon, Patrick Egan and Neil Botes will be fit to participate. Buccs proved too strong at home against Sunday’s opponents but they will have learned from the Trinity match that you cannot underestimate any team in this league on their own patch.
They have strength in most positions with the two Toms — Cotton and Sheehan — forming a formidable strong partnership in the centre. Charlie O’Carroll and Donncha Connolly are another influential and clever pairing at halfback. Wingers Callum Kelly and Lorcan McCormack are well capable of scoring tries when opportunities present themselves while Ewan Joyce-Whyte is more than an able deputy at fullback.
Conor Sheehan leads his side from the second row where the competitive Conor Ryan is likely to be sited if Tallon is fit to start and Abu Saka is another feisty battler who can be counted on to give everything. Sean Rohan is a topclass hooker and Aindriu Oates and Robbie Foxe are growing into their roles in the front row. Sam Browne, Luca Giles, Eoin Murtagh and Giorgio Racca offer good forwards options off the bench with Eoin Naughton, Martin Fallon, Evan McMickan and Daniel Martin also in contention for selection as is Leon Cassidy in the backline.
If these young Buccaneers play close to their potential and are disciplined, then they have the ability to clinch the title. Go for it, guys!
A Supporters Bus departing from The Bounty at 12.30 p.m. will be organised for this vital U-20’s game if there are sufficient bookings. Return fare is only €10. Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 to book.
CRUNCH TIE FOR SECONDS
BUCCANEERS SECONDS have an equally important fixture, albeit on a different perspective, when they take on University of Galway in a Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League game at Dubarry Park on Sunday, kick-off 2.30 p.m. Buccs simply must win to avoid relegation.
It will be a tough test for the Students had a good Plate victory in Athlone over the Pirates earlier this year. However, Buccs will take heart that they came out on top after a gritty contest at Dangan earlier in the season. Hopefully, the Pirates will be able to muster a stronger crew for this battle royale. If they do, they can really put it up to Colm Rigney’s charges. The team would appreciate and benefit from a big crowd cheering them on.
