Bad run continues

BUCCANEERS" recent disappointing run of form continued last weekend as they were eliminated from the AIB Cup at the quarter-final stage by Garryowen at Dooradoyle. The Athlone side have suffered five league defeats in a row and although Garryowen were red hot favourites to win this cup tie, Buccaneers will also be extremely despondent to exit the cup competition at this stage. However, they can also take some heart from their overall performance which was certainly an improvement on recent weeks and if they can take this attitude and form into Saturday"s league meeting against strugglers Terenure College at Dubarry Park, a win would most likely be the outcome for the home side. Buccaneers coped well during the opening half hour. However, tries by Lorcan Bourke and Diarmuid McCarthy soon had Garryowen leading 15-5 at half-time, with full-back Conor Kilroy also converting one of those tries and kicking a penalty. Buccaneers didn"t let this deter them, though, and tries by Alex Hayman, John O"Brien and Marcus Madden kept them in the hunt. Unfortunately for the away side, Garryowen eventually put the contest to bed when captain Paul Neville muscled his way over the line for a deserved try. Speaking after the match, Buccaneers manager Tony Dolan said: 'It"s disappointing to go out of the competition but this was a much improved performance by Buccaneers. I thought we had strong performances from Marcus Madden, David Gannon, Kieran O"Gorman, Mark Bruce and Alex Hayman.' Meanwhile, Buccaneers" duo Kevin Moran and Alan Gaughan are set to line out for Ireland when this year"s AIB Club International takes place in Donnybrook against England on Friday, February 27. The recommendations of the club coaches and selection advisors was narrowed down by the Ireland management team of coach Brian Walsh (Cork Constitution) and his assistant Brian Hyland (UCC). The team will be managed this year by Donal Brennan. This year"s Ireland squad includes a number of new faces which the management team hope will add enthusiasm and skill to the ranks. The AIB Club International sees non-senior international players from Ireland"s club scene get a chance to represent their country at international level and Gaughan and Moran are part of a 35-strong squad for the match at Donnybrook later this month. Buccaneers team v Garryowen: Danny Riordan; Paul Harte; Alan Gaughan; Alex Hayman; Sean Carey; Simon Rolleston; Mark Bruce; Adrian Hanley; Kieran O"Gorman; Kolo Kiripati; David Gannon; James Tormey; Conor Higgins; Marcus Madden; Michael Diffley. Subs Used: Gavin Kelly, Benny Gilligan, Colin Watters, Niall O"Hara and John O"Brien.