Buccaneers face UCC in another crunch clash

BUCCANEERS take on University College, Cork, in their penultimate AIB League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday (2.30pm). It seems all Buccs recent matches have been "must win" ones and indeed this encounter with UCC is little different although, on the back of two recent victories, the midlanders have climbed above both Dungannon and Ballynahinch in the league table. Consequently, Buccaneers are just above this season's two automatic relegation positions and, accordingly, destiny is relatively in their own hands. Win both final games and the dreaded drop will be avoided, but lose any ground and either northern club can jump above the Athlone outfit. So Buccaneers must build on their recent improved form and results and put the students to the sword. Third placed College now have no chance of securing promotion and the students may now be focussing more on their academic affairs, but Buccs cannot count on that and simply must not underestimate the challenge that will be posed by the Cork side. One thing the hosts can be sure of is that UCC will run the socks off Buccs if they are not up and properly focussed for this contest. The firm sod at Dubarry Park will suit their well-drilled, running game so Buccs cannot allow the visitors to get up a head of steam on Saturday. Brian Dennehy and captain Ivan Dineen are two strong-running centres, ex-Garryowen Andrew Burke is a fine prospect at standoff and Sean Scanlon loves joining the line from full-back. The latter was on the recent Ireland AIB Club International XV along with promising prop John Ryan. UCC's pack also includes Ireland U-20 duo David O'Callaghan and Brian Cagney in a mobile and technically skilled squad. But Buccaneers have a lot of promising talent in their panel too with Adam Kennedy, Paul Harte, Padraig Burke, Conor Higgins and Martin Staunton all players on the rise as is J.H. Potgeiter who has settled in much better now after injuries disrupted his season. Alex Hayman, Stephen Burke, Garreth Halligan and Colin Watters add steel to the mix, while Brian Touhy and Kolo Kiripati bring guile and experience, with the Samoan getting better and better now with more game time under his belt. James Tormey does a lot of unseen work in the second row while Conor Lavelle is growing in confidence with each outing in the backline. Skipper Colm Rigney should be fit to return after missing the win away to Ballynahinch, where Buccs put in a tremendous opening half but then began to run out of steam. Rigney may be the only change in the pack but who to omit would be a huge ask for the team management after that win at Ballymacarn Park. Billy Henshaw and Sean Stapleton are likely to vie for the remaining spot in the backline with Gavin Kelly and Benny Gilligan others in contention for Buccs starting XV. Buccs were far more clinical and focussed for an hour or so up north and, if they can repeat that endeavour and enterprise, then they can record a long overdue win over UCC. Even when struggling at Hinch, they kept putting the tackles in and they just need to raise the bar another notch or two on Saturday to secure victory, so as not to leave a door open for Dungannon or Ballynahinch. It's another Cup-tie type game for Buccs but, with home advantage, they really must grab it by the scruff of their collective necks and make it pay on the scoreboard. Key matches This weekend: Buccaneers v UCC; Ballymena v Dungannon; Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch. Final weekend: Buccaneers v Young Munster; Ballynahinch v Ballymena; Dungannon v Galwegians