BUCCS HOME TO DOLPHIN ON SATURDAY
BUCCANEERS return to Energia All-Ireland League action when Dolphin visit for this Division 2A clash on Saturday. Kick off is 2.30 p.m. Buccs were frustrated last November when having made the long trip to Cork that that match was cancelled shortly before kick-off due to Covid in the Rebels camp, a scoreless draw being the outcome. The Pirates will hope for better fortune on this occasion as they strive to maintain their position in the top four. If they can go close to the collective performance shown against Rainey Old Boys then a home win should be the outcome. A solid Cup win last weekend against Sligo emphasised the improved options available to the coaching team.
But Buccs must guard against complacency for Dolphin on their day can prove difficult opponents. They lie in seventh place in the league table, look safe but maybe not quite far enough away from the threat of being dragged into the relegation mire. So they will be searching for vital points but they have lost their last three fixtures including 50-24 and 55-14 defeats away to MU Barnhall and Nenagh Ormonde respectively. Brian Scott’s charges are inconsistent so the Athlone side must be focussed and disciplined from start to finish to avoid a ‘banana skin’ slip up.
The Dubarry Park pitch is badly cut up at present following a steady stream of matches, many played in bad weather. With two storms forecast for this week, the match will be played at Creggs RFC where the 4G pitch at The Green could be advantageous to Dolphin all of whose wins in the AIL this season have been on artificial surfaces!
