MARTIN
BUCCANEERS AWARDS PHOTO ALBUM HERE
The Laurencetown native learned his rugby at Ballinasloe RFC before switching to Shannon for three seasons, the first two with their U-20 Academy. He also switched position from No.8 to prop when he was elevated to their senior squad and the following year he transferred to Buccaneers where he has proved a key addition to the Pirates’ front-row. The 26-year-old, who also played with Connacht U-20s, has now enjoyed five seasons with the midlands club. A software design student at Athlone Institute of Technology, he was their ‘Player of the Year’ in 2011 and this season captained them to an All-Ireland Colleges Senior Cup triumph from the No.8 berth. The whole-hearted and effervescent forward is a very popular member of the Buccaneers squad and he is hoping that the Athlone club will go one better next season in their quest for promotion.
The Buccaneers Player of the Year Awards Night returned “home” to The Bounty this year and the big turnout was served up a topclass dinner prior to the formalities which commenced with the presentation of medals to Buccaneers U-20 Cup-winning players. An impressive array of provincial trophies was on view, including the U-20 Cup, Junior Two League, U-19 Plate, U-14 League, U-17 Cup and U-17B League.
Seven Buccaneers players were selected on eight
The Buccaneers Player of the Year Awards from U-19 up to Senior then followed. The winner was selected from three worthy nominees in each team grade and Athlone Crystal trophies were presented by club President Frank Sheeran and Richie Hickey, representing AUDI ATHLONE, Buccaneers title sponsors. The winners were:-
Senior MARTIN
U-20 CONOR McGRATH
Womens AISLINN KELLEHER
Seconds NIALL FLYNN
Thirds MARTIN LYONS
U-19 CONOR MORRISSEY
JOINT WINNERS OF BUCCANEERS CLUBPERSON OF THE YEAR
The final presentation of the night was The Michael Hanley Memorial Perpetual Cup to the Buccaneers Clubperson of the Year. Club President Frank Sheeran, in making the announcement, stated that the club was “breaking with tradition in that we have joint winners this year” ..…
Barry Reid and Senan Downes.
Barry has been involved in the rugby club since the late 1970’s being “part of a group of people who gave so generously of their time in the old clubhouse”. He was “part of the committee who set up and ran youth discos in conjunction with Athlone Gardai and the Athlone Drugs Awareness Group” for a decade or thereabouts.” In 2006 Reid was part of the organising group that brought U-20 International rugby to Athlone” and has been a key component in running these prestigious fixtures since then.
Senan’s first involvement with the club was as a player in 1966. A noted Gaelic footballer with Clare who was also a regular with the Kerry/Cork dominated
“On behalf of the club” Frank thanked “Senan and Barry for their dedication and commitment over many decades” and they were well deserving of being joint winners of the ‘Buccaneers Clubperson of the Year’ accolade. The magnificent trophy was then presented by Michael Hanley Junior and his mother Eileen to Senan and Barry, who duly received a merited and sustained standing ovation.
A.G.M.
The Annual General Meeting of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club takes place in The Bounty on this Friday, May 23rd, beginning at 8 p.m. Please attend punctually.
TAG
The annual TAG RUGBY SUMMER LEAGUE gets under way on this Thursday evening, May 22nd, with induction and registration at
There will be two leagues, one competitive and the other for the more social teams. Entry fee is €300 per squad which equates to less than €2 per squad member per match. And, please note, the fun and action does not stop at the final whistle as there will be social events on match nights while The Bounty crew have an enticing ‘Burger & Beer offer’ for only €5.
So come along, have fun, keep fit and get to know more about Buccs. Contact Yvonne 0860488090, Lorna 0868794465 or Billy 0878196476 to enter or for further information. You can also check out the club’s website www.buccaneersrfc.com
7s in the city — Womens Sevens
Ireland’s first Womens only Sevens tournament “7s in the city” takes place at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday week May 31st with the action getting under way at 1 p.m. Smith’s Supervalu and Michael Moore Car Sales are the main sponsors. The Womens Open event has €2,000 prize-fund with €1,000 up for grabs in the Womens Junior competition. All players will receive a ‘goody bag’ and lunch is included in the registration fee. A U-18’s Sevens is also planned, subject to sufficient entries. For further information or to book, contact Claire 0879401336, Mele 0863462449 or Sandra 0870925504 or email [email protected]. Details are also on www.buccaneersrfc.com