Kevin ‘Smiley’ Barrett pictured with Buccaneers U-20 players (l-r) Donnacha Connolly, Conor Sheehan and Thomas Sheehan.

‘Smiley’ Barrett makes return visit to Buccaneers

Kevin ‘Smiley’ Barrett made a surprise visit to Buccaneers RFC in Athlone recently. Father of All Blacks Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett, he is travelling in Europe to watch New Zealand’s matches.

He had not been in Athlone since he played with Buccaneers in 2000/01 and so was mightily impressed with the facilities including The Bounty and stand that have been erected in the interim.

Smiley watched the club's U-20s defeat Greystones and he gave these young players plenty of time afterwards.

A dairy farmer and a father of eight, Barrett looks like he could still play! Hopefully Kevin won’t leave it so long until he visits the club again.