Frank Hopkins, in recent action for Buccaneers againt Highfield’s Mark Fitzgibbon. Hopkins was among the try scorers in last Sunday’s Connacht Senior Cup final. Photo: Paul Molloy.

Buccs face newly crowned champions in last league fixture

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BUCCANEERS take on new Division 1B champions City of Armagh in their final Energia All-Ireland League fixture of the season at Dubarry Park on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

The Ulster side have been among the pacesetters all season and secured promotion for the first time to the top-flight when defeating UCC last time out. They have lost just four matches to date and will be keen to finish on a winning note.

Buccaneers, meanwhile, lie in the final play-off berth (fourth place) and they must at least match Old Wesley’s result on Saturday with the Dublin club (just two points adrift of the Pirates) facing a tricky assignment away to Naas.

Player unavailability for various reasons has proven costly for Buccs since their win away to UCC. Their form and results have suffered as a consequence.

But they will have been boosted by the Senior Cup success against Sligo last Sunday and, in particular, the manner in which it was achieved through hard work, discipline and attitude.

If the Athlone side play to their strengths, they can upset the champions in this Hodson Bay Group sponsored match.

City of Armagh have already secured promotion as Division 1B winners. The play-offs will see the team who finishes second play at home to the third placed team, while the fourth placed team will be away to the team which finishes second from bottom in Division 1A.

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