O"Hara named as new Buccs captain ahead of new rugby season

RUGBY Sligo native Niall O"Hara has been named Club Captain of Buccaneers as they return to Division One rugby this season. Niall came to the notice of Buccs during his student days through his exploits with Athlone Institute of Technology. He represented Connacht Schools and U-21s and was also capped by Ireland U-21s. A versatile back best noted at full-back but also capable of playing at standoff or on the wing, Niall first achieved success with Buccs when they won the Connacht Junior Cup in 2002. Since then the bank official has added three Connacht Senior Cups and a Connacht Senior League honours. He was match skipper for Buccaneers final seven matches last season, crucial games that the midlanders won to capture the AIB League Division 2 crown. Niall is wished every success in this demanding role as Buccaneers look for a good campaign back in the top flight of Irish club rugby. CONNACHT JUNIOR LEAGUE BUCCANEERS 15 SLIGO 22 BUCCANEERS RESERVES gave themselves too much to do when allowing Sligo build up a match-winning lead in the opening round of this season"s Connacht Junior League when the visitors got off to a winning start on a 22-15 scoreline at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Sunday. The north-westerners are targeting on making a strong impression this season after some years in the doldrums and signalled their intent by being unwilling to change kick-off time to avoid a clash with the biggest event in Ireland"s sporting calendar - the All-Ireland Senior Football final. Yet a decent attendance turned up to witness this contest played in good conditions. In a senior club, the Reserves are generally the most difficult squad to organise in respect of both mentors and players. Some players are more focused on featuring in the premier team while others are content to play social rugby with the Thirds. Consequently, it"s a bit like pulling teeth to field the Seconds, particularly in the early stages of the season, and that was always going to be a problem for Buccs. Thus, this particular side was something akin to a patchwork quilt, containing some regular Reserves, a quota of Thirds, a number of inexperienced beginners as well as a few seniors beginning their recuperation after injury. Not surprisingly, Buccaneers were disjointed in the opening stages when Sligo gave them a bit of a hammering. Home indiscipline did not help either with the midlanders coughing up far too many penalties as Sligo strode to a 16-5 half-time lead. Declan Byrne was Buccs" try scorer following a good move involving backs and forwards. Buccaneers recovered well thereafter and were the better side in the second period when they added two further tries by Marcus Madden and Padraig Burke. Alex Hayman was unable to convert any of the three home tries but, otherwise, made a decent return to action although operating out of position at standoff. Conor Lavelle and Byrne were best in the backline. Declan Ryan was the homesters" most impressive forward while Garreth Halligan made a decent contribution on his return after a frustrating injury. Overall, a new-look Sligo were the better, more organised side but, with a bit more work and a few more players available again, this Buccaneers squad can be competitive, but they will need to take more from their next three matches which are all at home. BUCCANEERS: C.Lavelle; M.Kilduff, J.Seery, D.Byrne, C.Duffy; A.Hayman, A.Cloonan; A.Daly, G.Halligan, R.Johnston; P.Burke, P.Hynes; D.Ryan, S.Stapleton and M.Madden. Replacements used:- R.Curley (for Johnston), G.Glynn (for Hynes) and P.Kelly (for Duffy). U-20 FRIENDLY BARNHALL 12 BUCCANEERS 8 A bigger, stronger Barnhall outfit edged out Buccaneers 12-8 in a well-contested U-20 friendly at Parsonstown, Celbridge, on Sunday. Nevertheless, this was a worthwhile exercise for the midlanders who enjoyed the majority of territory but too often lacked the final pass to convert possession on to the scoreboard. Barnhall got off to a flying start, scoring a try in the second minute but Buccs trailed by just 5-3 at the break after a Terry Hynes penalty. Impressive debutant Paul Robinson nosed the visitors in front with a try but Barnhall snatched the spoils with a late intercept try that was converted for a four points winning margin. Buccaneers, although missing a number of key personnel, showed huge commitment and continue to progress in the right direction. There is room for further improvement in the scrums and lineouts, and this fine-tuning will be attended to at training. Also, had the final pass been delivered, then the scoreline would surely have been better. Robinson looks a right find in the back row while Henry Reilly impressed at hooker. In the backline, Colin Draper was solid and creative in the centre while Terry Hynes is becoming more comfortable at outhalf. BUCCANEERS: R.Ahearne; E.Doolan, C.Draper, R.Walsh, I.Worley; T.Hynes, C.Worley; N.Harney, H.Reilly, J.J.Carey; K.Headd, R.Byrne; L.Walsh, K.Creaven and P.Robinson. Replacements used:- K.Fallon (for Ahearne), D.Egan (for L.Walsh), D.Byrnes (for Carey) and R.Grenham (for Reilly). THREE HOME MATCHES FOR BUCCS BUCCANEERS have three home fixtures this weekend, top of the bill being the Reserves clash with Tuam in the Connacht Junior League at Dubarry Park on Sunday, kick-off 3pm. Buccs dearly need to take the points in this fixture but it will be a tough test against Tuam who will undoubtedly be dogged and physical. But if the new management structure in place can expand their squad and get more players back, then Buccs are well capable of winning. The Thirds also face Tuam in Athlone in a friendly that is their first taste of activity this season. Indeed, Dubarry Park looks like being a busy spot on Sunday as the U-20s are also in action taking on Blackrock College in what promises to be an attractive and entertaining friendly. Meanwhile, the Firsts hope to have a mid-week friendly away to Galwegians, possibly on Wednesday.