Buccs at home to Ballynahinch in league opener

Buccaneers open their Ulster Bank League 2012/13 season with a home fixture against Ballynahinch at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday, September 29. They travel to Blackrock College for their first away match at Stradbrook, Dublin, on October 6. With Galwegians plying their trade in Division 2A this season, Buccs are now the only Connacht or Midlands club playing in Division 1. That means no derby clashes this term and, consequently, at time of writing, no Friday night floodlit games either although the home game against Bruff has been scheduled for Sunday, November 11 (due to Ireland's friendly v Fiji the preceding day). Ulster Bank League fixtures have been scheduled on the dates of two RBS Six Nations Championship games. This currently has Buccaneers away to Blackrock on the same afternoon Ireland face Wales, while the Pirates are also in Dublin taking on UCD when Ireland play Italy in Rome on the eve of St Patrick's Day. Buccs' first competitive game is in just a couple of weeks' time when the midlanders entertain Connemara in the Connacht Senior League at Dubarry Park on Saturday, August 25. Training for all adult players from U-19 up to Senior takes place on Tuesday's and Thursday's, with players to be togged-out and on the paddock at 7pm. South African Hendrik Marnitz is again Head Coach for the coming season. Although there are only five senior clubs in Connacht, a complete Connacht Senior League fixture list is not yet available. However, as far as can be ascertained, Buccs' 1sts and 2nds fixture lists are as follows. Buccaneers Senior Fixtures 2012/13 2012 Aug. 4: Athlone Sevens Tournament (h) Aug. 25: Connemara (h) CSL Sep. 8: Corinthians (a) CSL Sep. 15: Galwegians (a) CSL Sep. 22: Sligo (h) CSL Sep. 29: Ballynahinch (h) UBL Oct. 6: Blackrock College (a) UBL Oct. 27: Dungannon (h) UBL Nov. 3: Ballymena (a) UBL Nov. 11: Bruff (h) UBL (Sunday) Nov. 17: Malone (a) UBL Dec. 1: Dublin University (h) UBL 2013 Jan. 5: University College, Dublin (h) UBL Jan. 26: Belfast Harlequins (a) UBL Feb. 2: Blackrock College (h) UBL Feb. 16: Dungannon (a) UBL Feb. 23: Malone (h) UBL Mar. 2: Dublin University (a) UBL Mar. 16: University College, Dublin (a) UBL Mar. 23: Belfast Harlequins (h) UBL Mar. 30: Ballynahinch (a) UBL Apr. 13: Ballymena (h) UBL Apr. 20: Bruff (a) UBL May. 4: Play-Offs. Buccaneers Development Fixtures 2012/13 2012 Sep. 16: Castlebar (a) CJL,1B Sep. 23: Ballinrobe (h) CJL,1B Oct. 13: Creggs (a) CJL,1B Oct. 21: Corrib (h) CJL,1B Oct. 28: Dunmore (h) CJL,1B Oct. 28: Ballyhaunis (a) CJL,1B Nov. 11: Ballinasloe (h) CJL,1B Nov.18: Castlebar (h) CJL,1B Nov. 24: Ballinrobe (a) CJL,1B Dec. 9: Dunmore (a) CJL,1B 2013 Jan. 20: Creggs (h) CJL,1B Jan. 27: Corrib (a) CJL,1B Feb. 17: Ballyhaunis (h) CJL,1B Mar. 3: Ballinasloe (h) CJL,1B. Summer Camp Success Buccaneers Rugby Summer Camp for boys and girls aged six to 13 years proved hugely successful. Despite the sometimes monsoon conditions prevailing on a number of days, the budding stars of the future got tremendous enjoyment from the Camp. About 10 per cent of the over 100 participants were girls. Well done to Conor Galvin and all involved. Meanwhile, a Rugby Excellence Training Camp (for 13 to 15 year-olds), organised by Connacht Rugby, takes place in Dubarry Park, Athlone, next week. It runs from Monday, August 20 to Friday, August 24, with sessions from 9.30am to 3pm. Phone 091-561568 or log on to www.connachtrugby.ie Golf Classic Buccaneers Annual Golf Classic takes place this Friday, August 17 at the Glasson Country House Hotel & Golf Club. Teams of four are welcome and steak or salmon meals are included in the entry fee. Presentation of prizes takes place in the Glasson clubhouse at 10.30pm, and Buccaneers members are invited to come along. Some tee-times are still available. Phone Geraldine at 086-1732711. Buccaneers Lotto Numbers drawn last week: 5, 16, 25 and 28. Michelle O'Connor matched three numbers to win €200. The Jackpot was not won and now increases to €9,200 next Saturday night. Tickets can be purchased in The Olive, Higgins Pub, Gertie Browne's and Café Haven, and The Bounty. Membership Rates Membership subscription rates for the coming season are as follows:-Family (parents and children U-18) €185, Adult/Player €140, Youth (U13/18) €90, and Mini's (U7/12) €70. A Registration/Social night will take place at the club early next month when subscriptions can be paid. All subscriptions must be paid by October 1. Players must have their subscription paid before playing on club teams. All players should have their own appropriate insurance cover organised as the compulsory IRFU Insurance Scheme cover is limited to really serious injuries. Connacht U-19s Connacht U-19s play Ulster in Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday (3pm). This is an important preparatory game for Connacht and should feature young Buccaneers Ken Flanagan, Eoghan O'Reilly, Saba Meunargia, Conor Seery and Luke Carty. Admission is free.