Buccs awards night double as Kolo and Mele Kiripati are honoured

BUCCANEERS' Annual Awards Night drew another big crowd to the club's end of season function in The Bounty where Kolo Kiripati was named Buccaneers Senior Player of the Year. Club captain this season, the Samoan who was also nominated last term was a highly popular and worthy winner of this coveted accolade. The celebrations in the Kiripati household was not confined to the males as Kolo's wife Mele was selected as Buccaneers Women's Player of the Year, surely a unique pair of winners in any club! In front of a near full-house at the event, following tasty hot food served by the crew at The Bounty, Buccaneers Women's squad was first to be honoured as their manager Claire Wyper presented them with their Connacht Women's League runners-up medals, whilst they also had the Connacht Women's Cup proudly on display. The improvement by all the players in this enthusiastic squad was phenomenal as the season progressed which culminated in a stunning Cup final triumph. The club then honoured players who had been selected on various Ireland teams throughout the season. As with last season, ten Buccaneers players represented Ireland, a truly magnificent number for a club located outside the rugby strongholds in the country. Club President Ted Carty presented specially commissioned pieces of Athlone Crystal to these players: Ireland Seniors: Mike McCarthy; Ireland U-20s: Shane Layden, Conor Finn, Daniel Qualter, Diarmuid Higgins; Ireland U-19s: Robert Henshaw, Barry Digby; Ireland U-18 Schools: Saba Meunargia; Ireland U-18 Clubs: Scott Flanagan, Eoghan O'Reilly Underage awards The Buccaneers Player of the Year Awards then followed, commencing with the youths who were presented with their Athlone Crystal awards by the club's Senior Vice-President Diarmuid Morrissey. The winners in this segment were:- U-13: Ryan Lomas. U-14: Darren Buckley. U-15: Conor Kelly. U-15: Development Michael Burnell. U-16: Conor Dowling. U-17: Evan Galvin. U-18: Peadar Hennessy. U-19: John Gormley. Adult award winners Ted Carty resumed presentation duties for the adult winners who were as follows. Women's: Mele Tuimauga Kiripati Thirds: Keith Grehan Development: Adrian Hughes U-21: Barry Stewart Senior: Kolo Kiripati Michael Hanley Cup The final award of the night, and arguably the most important one, is the Michael Hanley Cup which is presented to the Buccaneers Club Person of the Year. This is in recognition of the endeavours and contribution to the club by a member, who can but does not have to be a player. This year the award was made to someone who had played with distinction for Athlone for many seasons, captaining the club to the 1984 Connacht Junior Cup final and winning the same Cup in 1979. After hanging up his playing boots, he then coached and managed various teams as well as undertaking administrative roles in the club and taking on voluntary tasks that have ranged from marking pitches to painting dressing-rooms. He was President of Athlone RFC in 1990/91 and, last season, was honoured as President of Buccaneers RFC, thus becoming the first member to be President of the club under its former and present names. From the foregoing, it was clear that this year's winner could only be the man known far and wide as 'Big Pat' and so, to tumultuous applause, the name of Pat Hynes was announced as Buccaneers Club Person of the Year. A totally surprised and temporarily speechless Pat was then presented with the impressive Michael Hanley Cup by Mrs Eileen Hanley. After recovering from the shock of this accolade, Pat spoke with passion and humility in acceptance and appreciation of this coveted honour. It has certainly found a very worthwhile home for the coming year. Club President Ted Carty thanked all who attended especially parents and families, and he thanked those who organised the event, as well as again congratulating all the winners and nominees. He was confident that, with the burgeoning young talent continuing to come through, Buccaneers can go from strength to strength in the future. Some fine live music by Willie Kiernan and Brendan Flanagan ensured that the occasion finished on a high. National Sevens Finals in Dubarry Park The IRFU National Sevens finals take place in Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon with the first game scheduled to start at 12 noon. An action-packed day of running rugby is anticipated with not only the national title at stake but trips to the Amsterdam Sevens up for grabs for the winners in both the Senior Men's and Women's competitions. Following the provincial finals, ten clubs have qualified for the Senior Men's event. Host club Buccaneers will be representing Connacht in Group A along with Shannon, Malone, Old Wesley and either Trinity College or Old Belvedere. Clontarf, Garryowen, Blackrock College, Old Crescent and City of Derry are the teams competing in Group B. Each team will consist of a squad of twelve players but no contracted players are eligible. Also ruled out are current members of Ireland's U-20 squad which is a particular hard blow for Buccs. Nevertheless, exciting and skilful matches aplenty are in prospect, especially on a firm sod. The Women's Senior final is pencilled in for 6.20 with the Men's Senior decider following at 6.40. As the Amsterdam Sevens take place on the following weekend (with the IRFU picking up the tab for flights, accommodation etc.) all players should bring copies of their passports to facilitate necessary administrative work by the IRFU for the winners in both the Men's Senior and Women's Senior tournaments. Meanwhile, sports fans are welcome to pop in to Dubarry Park on Saturday afternoon any time from 12 midday to check out the on-field action.