BUCCS HOME TO QUEENS IN ALL-IRELAND SEMIFINAL

The BUCCANEERS renew their current rivalry with Queen’s College when the groups meet within the Bateman Cup All-Eire semi-final at Dubarry Park on Saturday when the motion begins sooner than normal at 12:30pm.

The Athlone membership overtook Queen’s for promotion from 2A final season with a dramatic one-point win at The Dub. The Belfast facet are as soon as once more setting the usual of their division and can certainly rise this season. In the meantime, the Pirates are the shock packages at 1B (even to themselves, I might wager) since they prime their division as effectively. The Buccs returned to successful methods final weekend with a at instances spectacular efficiency towards St. Mary’s Faculty, whereas Queen’s beat Nenagh Ormonde at dwelling, who recorded a brace over the College students.

This semifinal is tough to name as each groups will change rather a lot since their final assembly. The Ulster facet have misplaced a few of their key gamers with James Humphreys now at Banbridge and George Saunderson at Ballynahinch, however they nonetheless have high quality with Lorcan McLoughlin and captain David Whitten of their ranks.

Shockingly to this scribe, it seems to be just like the Buccaneers will go to an All-Eire semi-final with none of their Connacht Academy representatives, who’re apparently in ‘trip’. However the Pirates must take care of it and it’ll give them an actual probability for fringe gamers to wager on their future choose. Martin Staunton will lead a gaggle backed by Danny Qualter, Ruairi Byrne and Steveni Lombard with James Kelly, Oisin Dolan, Ryan O’Meara and Fionn McDonnell possible starters. Sean O’Connell, Fergus Galvin and Darren Browne can all be dominated out with damage. There are additionally well being considerations on the again line, the place Frankie Hopkins and Orrin Burgess will face a race towards time. In any other case, Stephen Mannion, Michael Hanley and Saul O’Carroll might be key gamers and Eoin O’Reilly is more likely to get a name.

The Buccaneers might be hoping for a giant turnout to help their quest for a last All-Eire spot. The match begins early as a result of begin of the Six Nations championship with Eire dealing with Wales in Cardiff. You possibly can catch all of the motion there on the Bounty after the Buccs sport (which hopefully will not require additional time!).

OTHER ACCESSORIES

The BUCCANEERS U-20 play College Faculty Dublin within the JPFanagan Leinster League Premier 2 at Dubarry Park on the brand new Monday financial institution vacation. This might be a tricky collegiate take a look at for the Buccs as they battle to keep up their prime 4 spot whereas the Estudiantes attempt to get nearer to the Pirates within the league desk. Buccs will hope native help helps them prevail in a sport that begins at 3 p.m.

The BUCCANEERS SECONDS headed northwest to tackle Westport within the Connacht Junior 1A League. Each groups are within the flawed half of the league desk in the meanwhile with the Buccs two factors away from the Bulls who’ve a sport to go. The provision of the gamers might be essential right here for the Atlonians on this very important tie. Begin 2:30 p.m.

BUCCANEERS THIRDS is the house of the leaders Corinthians Thirds of their Connacht Junior League 2A match. This Buccs staff was pissed off not having a sport final weekend, however might be enthusiastic about this contest, which might be key to their destiny of league honors. It might be an attention-grabbing duel from 2:30 p.m.