BUCCS HOME TO MU/BARNHALL
BUCCANEERS have a second successive home game when they face MU/Barnhall in round seven of the Energia All-Ireland League at Dubarry Park on Saturday. This Division 2A game has a 2.30 p.m. kick off.
MU/Barnhall’s last visit to Athlone was literally the very last AIL game played by any clubs prior to the pandemic lockdown. The visitors came out on top 23-10 in a rescheduled floodlit encounter that was closer than the scoreline suggests. At that stage, MU/Barnhall were top of the league table and on course for promotion. Covid-19 put paid to their progress then but the west Dublin club would have been warm favourites to set the pace this season.
That belief seemed appropriate when they won their opening three fixtures but, since then, they have lost their subsequent four matches to slip to 6th place on the league table. But with players like Sean Sexton, Conor Lacey and Garreth Murray in their ranks as well as an able placekicker in Adam Chester, the Blue Bulls should not be ruled out of the promotion race yet.
However, Buccaneers will face them with confidence on the back of their winning sequence. This has been achieved despite Buccs not always firing on all cylinders but their youthful squad is developing nicely with full potential still to be reached. Consistency is another facet that can be improved but there is solid belief and talent in the Pirates ranks. With more balanced performances, second placed Buccs have the ability to prevail in what is likely to be a ding-dong tussle.
There will be a pre-match function in The Bounty for this fixture. For €30 you can enjoy a fine meal with complimentary wine and free admission to the AIL game. Groups or individuals can be catered for. Kindly contact Geraldine at 0861732711 to book.
SECONDS AWAY TO MONIVEA NOW ON SATURDAY NIGHT
BUCCANEERS Connacht Junior 1A League tie away to Monivea has been brought forward to this Saturday night. It that pits top against bottom club. The Co. Galway outfit may be struggling but on their own Castle Grounds they will be doughty battlers so Buccs can expect a similarly searching challenge as that posed by Tuam last weekend. The venue will be very familiar to Buccs skipper Monivea man Brian McDonnell as will many of the home team that includes his brother and cousin! If the Pirates avoid an arm wrestle, they have the pace and skills to maintain their winning start to this league. Kick-off is now 7 p.m. for this floodlit duel.
WOMENS TEAM HOME TO SLIGO
BUCCANEERS WOMENS team host Sligo in the Connacht League at Dubarry Park on Sunday when the action gets under way at 1 p.m. Both teams are in mid-table so an even joust is anticipated in which the Buccs ladies must make home advantage pay.
