Buccs host Dungannon in Division 1B basement battle
BUCCANEERS' drive to avoid relegation begins in real earnest on next Saturday evening when they take on fellow strugglers Dungannon in an AIB League Division 1B match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, that kicks off a bit later than usual at 5pm.
Buccs absolutely must win this basement battle to have any hope of dodging the dreaded drop, and it will take a massive rejuvenated effort by the squad to do so. With four matches remaining, Buccaneers trail at the bottom of the table on 11 points, five points behind Saturday's visitors Dungannon and a further point adrift of Ballynahinch who are on 17. These two northern teams are Buccs' immediate next opponents and the Athlone club simply must target wins in both these crunch encounters.
However, Buccs must focus one game at a time and Saturday's duel against the Tyrone standard bearers must be treated as the mother of all Cup finals by Buccs. Nothing less than a home win must ensue, while Dungannon cannot be afforded the luxury of a bonus point in this game sponsored by Ganly's of Athlone.
Consequently, each and every Buccaneers player must stand up and be counted, and take personal responsibility for their input. Commitment must be total and sustained, discipline and focus of the highest order, and every player selected must give of their best whilst playing for each other. Pride must be restored to the jersey in what has been a disappointing and often disjointed campaign to date. Key players from captain Colm Rigney down must show the requisite leadership and enthusiasm; otherwise, Dungannon (also desperately striving to stay up) will punish any weaknesses in the home camp.
But Buccs cannot worry about the northerners. They must simply get on with their own game plan, build on it, get momentum going and also get the home crowd behind them.
There is tons of talent and potential in this Buccaneers squad, but the players just need to harness that potential with the right mix of self-belief and pragmatism. All too often, players have been left isolated whilst a real problem throughout the season has been the concession of very early scores. Dungannon cannot be allowed get a foothold or grow in confidence, so Buccs must impose themselves on the proceedings right from the first whistle. Here the home pack must dominate, and quicker ball needs to be delivered to a backline that holds so much promise.
With Ulster at home on Friday night, Dungannon are likely to look to have their provincial front row of Neil Brady and the Fitzpatrick boys available to give them a platform to build on from which backs like Chris Cochrane and Craig Gilroy can capitalise on. Conor Higgins, Garreth Halligan and Martin Staunton or Benny Gilligan must front up here to deny them this luxury and the back five must make a collective and mobile nuisance of themselves. Here home supporters will be looking to some vintage play from skipper Rigney while they can bank on the battling qualities of Stephen Burke, Kolo Kiripati and Colin Watters. Padraig Burke and James Tormey may lack bulk at lock but they certainly don't shirk in effort or in getting around the paddock, and the home pack will need to be in the faces of their opponents all evening come game time. Anthony Hughes and Marcus Madden provide options in the pack.
Half-back may be the key and here Buccs have two young players still developing their own games. But if Adam Kennedy and J.H. Potgeiter get a decent supply of possession, they both are smart and skilled operators who can thrive in what will surely be a cauldron on Saturday. Alex Hayman and (if available) Conor O'Loughlin are the anchors in this area and can bring the best out of the burgeoning talent that Paul Harte, Billy Henshaw and John O'Brien possess. Sean Stapleton, Conor Lavelle, Gavin Kelly and Brian O'Carroll are others chomping at the bit to show what they too can do.
With Connacht away to the Ospreys on Sunday, it's likely that Brian Touhy may be the only contracted player available, but Buccaneers have three of their four remaining games at home in Dubarry Park and must make that advantage really pay off.
If the spirit and application is right, and with a big home turnout on Saturday evening, Buccaneers can overcome the first critical hurdle to preserving their Division 1B status.
Post a Comment