Three Buccs in Ireland squads

THREE BUCCANEERS players have been included in Ireland squads for summer international matches. With virtually the full Ireland XV heading off with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa and Leinster playing in this weekend"s Heineken Cup final, many fringe players get an opportunity to stake their claims for future selection. Sean Cronin and Keith Matthews are selected on the Ireland squad that will play games away to Canada and Eddie O"Sullivan coached USA. Hooker Cronin and back Matthews are also included in the Ireland panel that competes in the Churchill Cup as is half-back Frank Murphy. Also named in this side is Australian born Ed O"Donoghue, now of Ulster, who first came to notice as a teenage lock with Buccaneers some seasons ago. CHAMPIONSHIP & TRIPLE CROWN TROPHIES VISIT CLUB The RBS Championship Cup and the Triple Crown trophy made a second visit to Buccaneers club last Friday. Thanks to Charlie Couper and Dave O"Brien, who were charged with minding these treasured trophies. Although this visit was at relatively short notice and brief, there was a steady stream of rugby followers, families and general sports enthusiasts into The Bounty to avail of a wonderful photo opportunity. Buccaneers hope to arrange a longer 'appearance' by both trophies at a club event early in the new season. NEW CREW IN CHARGE ON "THE BOUNTY"! BUCCANEERS RFC is delighted to announce that two prominent local sportsmen are the new tenants at The Bounty. Pascal Dillon and Thomas Silke are the men at the helm and both come with much experience in the bar and catering trades, mainly gathered in one of Athlone"s premier bars and eateries, The Palace. Don Reid returns as head chef but Tom and Pascal will be putting their own stamp on matters during the off-season. TAG RUGBY The franchise holders of the annual Tag Rugby league have withdrawn from organising this summer"s event and, in its stead, the club through the voluntary endeavours of one of our members is now hosting a tournament that should cost a fraction of the 'official' league. This Tag Rugby league is a non-contact game for mixed teams of seven players from a squad of twelve with at least three girls on the pitch at all times. Tries scored by girls are worth triple points. Players of all fitness and ability levels are welcome and absolutely no previous rugby experience is necessary. So why not keep in shape, meet new people and have some fun doing so? Enter a team from your workplace, pub, mates, wherever - or come along on your own and a place will be found for you on a team. This year"s league is due to start on Thursday, May 28, and will run on Thursday evenings for approximately ten weeks. There will be prizes, fun and social nights including hopefully a BBQ, and awards ceremonies for you and your team-mates along the way. There has been tremendous interest so far and, at only circa €20 per player, costs only a third of similar leagues to participate in. An information open night when you can get a taste of Tag Rugby for FREE takes place at Dubarry Park on this Thursday evening, May 21st beginning at 7pm. So get out the shorts and trainers and come along. For further info, contact athlone.tag.rugby@gmail.com. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BUCCANEERS A.G.M. takes place in The Bounty on Wednesday, June 3rd starting at 8pm. All nominations and/or proposals should be submitted to the Secretary this week. SUPER DRAW The club"s Super Draw, which was deferred recently, will now take place at the A.G.M. Quite a number of sold tickets are still to come in and sellers are urged to leave these in to our Administrator Geraldine as early as possible in order to facilitate the smooth running of the Draw. This is the club"s chief fund-raiser of the year and members should be well aware of the club"s tightened financial circumstances, so your support is needed and valued. Ticket prices are halved this year at €50 each for a prize fund of €11,000 including the grand prize of €5,000 to some lucky supporter. Buccaneers now field no less than 17 teams and, despite constant monitoring, costs are substantial. Co-ordinators must follow up on their sellers well in advance of the A.G.M. HEINEKEN CUP FINAL Good luck to Leinster in Saturday"s Heineken Cup final against Leicester. Leicester, who sealed the English Premiership league title last Saturday, will arguably be favourites especially due to their greater experience of Heineken Cup finals. However, Leinster undoubtedly have the talent and have shown in their wins over Harlequins and Munster that they now also have the resolve and consistency to triumph at Murrayfield. Buccaneers send them best wishes and hope that their trio of ex-Buccs - Chris Keane, Ronan McCormack and John Fogarty - all make the final squad. It seems a good number of Athlone rugby fans are making the trip to Edinburgh but those remaining at home are welcome to watch the game on the big screens in The Bounty where you can enjoy the atmosphere and craic as well as some complimentary "finger food". Kick-off: 5pm. GOLF CLASSIC BUCCANEERS annual Golf Classic takes place at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club today (Wednesday), May 20. Entry subscription per team of four is €400 to tee times from 11am. Cost is even better value at only €320 if tee-off time before 11am suits. Hugh Campbell has been 'commissioned' as "Tournament Director" this year and all enquiries/bookings may be channelled through him or club administrator Geraldine at 086-1732711. GREEN DRAGON The Volvo Ocean Race has departed from Boston on the latest leg of this round-the-world endurance sailing test, bound next for Galway where festivities kick off next weekend. Eamon Conneely, of Buccaneers title sponsors OYSTERhomes, is one of the backers of Ireland"s leading contender in the race "Green Dragon" and the club wishes him, his crew and team, and all in Galway hugely successful sailing and festival. SUMMER CAMPS Connacht Try Rugby "Centra" Summer Camps are open to boys and girls, aged 6 years to 13 years old, and run from 9.30am to 2pm daily, Monday to Friday. Enrollment costs €80 per child and the camps are run to IRFU template by suitably qualified and appointed staff. Each camp is co-ordinated locally and Connacht players will attend sessions. All participants receive an official rugby pack including gear and rugby ball. Application forms are available from Dubarry Park or contact the Connacht Branch IRFU to apply online at connachtrugby.ie. BRENDAN O"MEARA Young Brendan O"Meara from Rahara is heading off to join the British & Irish Lions at their London training camp this week. Brendan, son of auctioneer Rory, won this coveted chance in a phone-in prize. He continues a long lineage of rugby, his grand-father Dr. John O"Meara and grand-uncle the late Michael O"Meara being founder members of Athlone R.F.C. Enjoy this trip of a lifetime! CONDOLENCES Deepest sympathy is extended to the families of Bert Heaton, Doreen Boles and Bridie Fahey who all died recently.