Buccaneers to host Galwegians

BUCCANEERS" AIB League Division One fixture against Galwegians, which had to be abandoned when the crossbar broke at Dubarry Park a couple of weeks ago, has been rescheduled for this Saturday afternoon at the same venue (kick-off: 2.30pm). Neither club is happy with this IRFU decision which means playing this crunch game on the day of a Six Nations match, which will mean little publicity for the fixture and, needless to add, plenty of empty seats as supporters of both clubs will inevitably be in Croke Park for the 'other' match! Add to that the fact that Buccaneers are hosting Ireland"s U-20 championship match against France on the preceding evening, which necessitates a huge workload and substantial input by numerous volunteers. They are entitled to be looking forward to a breather and, possibly, taking in the action at "Croker". Meanwhile, Wegians have a fund-raiser in Galway long-planned to tie in with the Saturday international which will inevitably greatly reduce their support in Athlone. So both clubs are aggrieved by this conflict of fixtures, and sponsors AIB are hardly best pleased either. Overtures to stage the game under floodlights have not (at time of writing) resulted in a switch of dates so the game goes ahead on Saturday when the attendance is likely to resemble that at a Thirds" friendly fixture. Following Buccs" bad defeat at Cork Con, the mantle of favouritism may now lie with the visitors whose game was postponed last weekend, leaving them fresher for Saturday"s battle. Matt Brandon, Ivan Muldoon, John Cleary, David Nolan and Robert O"Beirne are likely to be the westerners" key operators. But, come derby time, form can mean little and Buccs main concerns are likely to revolve around the fitness and availability of Kevin Moran, Alan Gaughan, Alex Hayman and Marcus Madden who were all 'in the wars' in Cork. Garreth Halligan and Paul Harte are definitely out, but Kolo Kiripati, Kieran O"Gorman, Michael Diffley and Simon Rolleston can lead by example while this is a game where Louie Tonkin has the ideal opportunity to silence his critics. The crossbars have been replaced and it"s all systems go, despite the 'inconvenience' of this particular rescheduling. It"s likely to be tight and torrid, but Buccaneers simply must make home advantage pay. U-20s HOME TO YOUNG MUNSTER BUCCANEERS U-20s are also in Athlone on Saturday afternoon when they play their final home fixture In the South-West Conference League against Young Munster. Last week"s fixture away to UL Bohemian fell victim of the weather but Buccs are strongly placed to reach the play-offs but will be chasing a win that could earn them home advantage in the knockout stage. These young players have shown wonderful composure and resilience in making huge progress this season. Their coaches will surely have them focused and disciplined for this encounter and it is a pity from spectators" point of view that both games are scheduled to kick off at the same time. Again, Buccs must make home advantage count.