Buccaneers offer some solace in poor weekend for local sides

THERE was little to write home about for local sporting teams in the past few days, with only Buccaneers emerging as winners over the course of the weekend.

Last Friday night, Athlone Town suffered their fourth straight league defeat in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland, losing 0-3 at home to Cork City. Athlone travel to Drogheda Utd this coming Friday and then host Bohemians at Lissywollen next Monday (7.45pm), as Mick Cooke’s side continue to strive for their first point of the season.

The following evening at Dubarry Park, Tony Dolan’s Buccaneers kept alive their promotion hopes in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank League by beating Blackrock College, 32-18. The Pirates secured a bonus point victory in the process and look in a good position for a shot at the promotion-relegation play-off.

On Sunday, both Westmeath and Roscommon suffered losses in the Allianz National Football League, with Westmeath’s defeat to Kerry (2-15 to 0-13 at Cusack Park, Mullingar) confirming the Lakemen’s relegation to Division 2. Kerry’s victory, coupled with Kildare’s defeat in Derry, means that Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s men are guaranteed Division 1 fare again next year. As for Westmeath, their sixth successive defeat confirms a quick return to the second flight. Kildare, Westmeath’s opponents in their final league fixture, are also relegated.

Roscommon have already guaranteed promotion from Division 3 but were beaten by Cavan last weekend. Both sides will meet again in the Division 2 final near the end of April. For more on all of these sporting developments and much more, see this week’s Westmeath Independent out on Wednesday.