EOIN REID ELECTED PRESIDENT OF BUCCANEERS RFC
Despite the counter attraction of the gorgeous weather there was a sizeable attendance at the Annual General Meeting of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club held in The Bounty when Eoin Reid became the third member of the Reid family to be elected to the role of club president.
Diarmuid Morrissey chaired the AGM and welcomed the gathering. His wide-ranging Secretary’s report, which covered all strands of the club’s activities, commenced the evening’s schedule. While the adult squads had difficult seasons, all other teams from U-20s down enjoyed considerable success and growth. Minis rugby continues to mushroom and social activity around the club has been positive and enthusiastic. Volunteerism has improved but there is always further room for more helpers.
Buccaneers RFC is on a sound footing financially, as was reflected in the Treasurer’s report, and the club has no debt. The installation of solar panels has reduced expenditure for power whilst also helping the environment. Padel courts are in the pipeline and should provide an extra attraction for members. The “no pay, no play” stance re membership has resulted in good compliance. All in all, the club continues to progress and drive the fundamental object which is the betterment of rugby football.
Treasurer’s Report
After a number of years of financial losses, Treasurer Michael Kiely was pleased that the club recorded a surplus, with these funds now ring-fenced for capital expenditure when needed. Income increased while expenditure was closely managed. He thanked Ray Flanagan who does so much of the work and Eamonn Fagan was also singled out for his ongoing counsel and advice. The improvement in income was achieved through the efforts of the wider committee and here he noted the input of Jacqui Pears for her sterling work as Membership Registrar.
Football Reports
Director of Rugby Damien Shine presented the football reports. The Seniors season hit a ‘perfect storm’ with the panel significantly depleted by departures for various reasons and then an exceptional run of injuries impacted greatly in an AIL campaign that resulted in relegation to 2B. The Seconds retained their J1A status in Connacht, the only Senior club to have a seconds side in it. Sam Fogarty was capped by Connacht Juniors.
The U-20s were the shining light at adult level, as they gathered momentum after an indifferent Connacht campaign to capture Leinster’s J.P.Fanagan Premier 2 League title in some style. Four players – Andrew Henson, Kailin Blessing, Sean Glennon and Leo Anic — played for Ireland U-18s so the future looks richly promising at this level.
Numbers are slowly increasing for our Womens squad but hopes are high of consistently fielding 15-a-side in the coming season.
The Youths section is in a very healthy state as reported by Niall Daly. The U-17s won a Cup and League double, the U-18.5 side captured the Cup and the U-16s contested the Cup and League deciders. Numbers at U-13, U-14 and U-15 continue to grow. The U-14 Girls were runners-up in both league and cup while the U-16s and U-18s had busy seasons. Niall thanked the Child Welfare Officer Rory Walsh for all his endeavours throughout the season.
Declan Brady’s report on Minis rugby reflected on a vibrant and significantly growing section of the club. The switch to Sunday mornings for Minis coaching has been really successful and he expects strong development to continue.
Damien thanked Peter Nally and ground-staff for their efforts throughout a difficult year weather-wise, Niall Daly and Declan Brady for their endeavours at Youth and Minis sectors, Michael Silke for the exposure afforded to teams, to Tom and Paschal of The Bounty, and particularly our Administrator Geraldine Kenny for the massive amount of work she put in. He noted the maturing ethos re referees where the club again has a ‘clean slate’. Contact with TUS is ongoing and making progress. Overall, he concluded, there were many positives across the club and we can realise ambitions.
Outgoing President Lorna Stuart Trainor said it had been a huge honour and privilege to be president and, overall, she had a most enjoyable reign. She wished her successor the very best for the year ahead.
The following officers were elected to the Executive Committee of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club for the coming season 2025-26:-
President Eoin Reid
Senior Vice-President Sean Flynn
Junior Vice-President Trevor Thompson
Hon. Secretary David Nolan
Asst. Secretary Gerard Fallon
Hon. Treasurer Michael Kiely
Asst. Treasurer Ray Flanagan
Director of Rugby Tbc
Media Officer Michael Silke
Facilities Chairperson Damien Phelan
Commercial & Marketing Padraig Giles
Youths Secretary Nicky Friel
Minis Secretary Declan Brady
Girls & Womens Rep Amy O’Connor
Membership Registrar Jacqui Pears
Connacht Senior Rep Tom Meagher
IRFU Nominee Liam Rattigan
Ex-Officio Lorna Stuart Trainor
Trustees Rep Diarmuid Morrissey
Inclusivity/CWO Rory Walsh
EOIN REID NEW PRESIDENT
In his opening address as President, Eoin Reid’s ambition will be to leave the club in an even better place than he has got it. Buccaneers can grow and prosper and the club can drive to the next levels, on and off the pitch. This will take incremental steps but, if we share the load, it can be achieved. Fund-raising culture has been rediscovered while community is at the heart of the club.
The Reid family have a long association with rugby in Athlone and Eoin is the third family member to be elected as president. His late father Christy was president of Athlone RFC in 1985-86 while brother Austin was president of Buccaneers RFC in 2007-08. Their late mother Hazel was a leading light in our Ladies Committee, volunteerism carried on by his sisters Aisling and Syra.
Eoin and Austin are former players and are the driving forces behind the highly successful Fernhill Garden Centre, a penalty kick away from Dubarry Park. Eoin is married to Ann Marie and they have a daughter Erica and four sons, Christopher, Dillon, Corey and Danny; the latter two regularly feature on Buccs teams.
A busy season looms ahead for Eoin, who is a popular choice as president, with a keen focus on getting upward momentum for the Senior squad. All at the club wish him all the best for the year ahead.
