High flying Buccs now face tough test against Cork Con

Buccaneers face their stiffest test to date when they take on Cork Constitution at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm. This is the match of the day in the South-West Conference U-20 League, Division One, as Buccs bid to extend their super winning streak to this season"s campaign. The sum of the parts is, arguably, better than that of the individuals in this exciting young Buccaneers squad, astutely coached by David Henshaw and Noel Mannion, who acknowledge the assistance of Conor Lavelle covering for Leighton Christopher. There is keen competition for starting berths which keeps all players on their toes. The players have been particularly keen to listen and learn. They demonstrated a superb opening forty minutes away to Highfield but will be acutely aware that they cannot let the standards slip in the second period like they did last Saturday. But there is wonderful willingness and bond in the squad, and they can surely be counted on to give of their best on Saturday. The pack, not the biggest in the land by any means, is getting tighter game by game. The forwards have worked diligently on their set-pieces, and it shows. Lineouts and scrums have improved hugely since the friendlies early in the season. Captain Niall Harney leads by example in the front-row trenches, Keelan Headd is securing a plentiful supply of lineout ball, and the backrow trio despite the absence of the injured Joe Kenny is proving a very able and competitive unit. John Connellan and Adam Kennedy are forging a quality partnership in the pivotal half back roles, and their service is like honey to bees for the attacking potency of Billy Henshaw, David Fagan and Colin Draper. But the backline has a mean defensive streak to it too and they will be fired up to meet the challenges that Cork Con will surely pose over the eighty minutes. This promises to be a seriously competitive, fast-moving encounter between two clubs very much in the hunt to be involved in the business end of Division One. The sheer hard work and exciting flair shown by Buccs to date warrants a big crowd in Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon so come along and get behind these young Buccs. Kick off is 2.30pm and you can then watch Ireland take on New Zealand in the comfort of The Bounty afterwards with the Croke Park action not starting until 5.15pm. Your support could give Buccs the vital edge, so come along and make plenty of noise! The Senior and Reserves have no fixtures this weekend but the Thirds home game against Galwegians, which fell victim to a water-logged pitch last weekend, may be rescheduled for Sunday afternoon.