BUCCS AWAY TO UL BOHS
BUCCANEERS travel to Limerick on Saturday where they take on UL Bohemian on the 4G surface at University of Limerick where the sides will battle for crucial Energia All-Ireland League Division 2A points. Kick off is 2.30 p.m. for this joust between two sides closely locked on the league table. UL Bohs are two places above the midlanders in 6th position but just a solitary point better off so a win for the Pirates could lift them up a notch or two on the leaderboard.
It is difficult to guess the outcome of this joust as both teams have been guilty of inconsistency with Buccs going off the boil somewhat in recent outings. Yet they have won one game more than the Munster outfit but the Red Robins have a much superior collection of bonus points, an area the Pirates have been weak. UL Bohs lost at home last weekend to MU Barnhall who are marching on to the division’s title. That defeat could, however, be of benefit to the Limerick side as they had a competitive outing while Buccs fixture against Dolphin fell victim just before kick-off to the foul weather.
Buccs came out on top 20-15 when the sides met at Dubarry Park in November. Typical of the Pirates campaign to date they built up a promising lead, 20-5 on this occasion, but did not kill off the visitors’ challenge and thus had to battle to the very end to secure victory. Max Kennedy was man of the match on that occasion when Luke Carty was influential and Declan Adamson was prominent. Hopefully all three will be to the fore again come Saturday when Shane Layden and Christian Maulaulau remain ruled out through injury.
This is a match likely to be contested feverishly as both teams will be razor keen to improve their distance from those below them at the wrong end of the league table. The 4G surface, although not very familiar for the Athlone players, could yet benefit their preferred open style of play. If that occurs, then Buccs can pilfer precious points.
Buccaneers AIL game at home to Dolphin last Saturday was called off before kick-off by referee Shane Kierans. Dubarry Park had been passed fit at an 8 a.m. inspection but, following a deluge from about midday until near 2 p.m., the match official decided against playing the game in the interests of player welfare. Frustratingly for those who had turned up and particularly the Dolphin team and supporters who had travelled from Cork, the pitch looked playable at the scheduled kick off time.