Three Buccs players in historic cup win for Ireland

Three Buccaneers players featured in the Ireland A squad that captured the Churchill Cup for the first time. Keith Matthews, Sean Cronin and Frank Murphy played in all or some of the cup matches that saw Irish teams complete a clean sweep of trophies available to them. The national teas had already won the RBS Six Nations championship and captured the Triple Crown in grand-slam style, while Leinster won the Heineken Cup and Munster had to settle for the Magners League. Ireland defeated Canada and Georgia before thrashing a physically stronger England Saxons 49-22 in the final in USA . Hooker Cronin scored a crucial try for Ireland at a stage when they had two players in the sin bin! Declan Kidney"s options are increasing with every tournament. Well done to all involved. Meanwhile, Buccaneers had more than a passing interest in the second Lions test when Andries Bekker came on as a replacement for South Africa. The young Springbok lock played for a spell with Athlone U-18s when he was a mere 6"7'! He has grown a further 3 inches in the interim and this was his thirteenth cap for the world champions. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Colm and Orla Rigney on their recent nuptials. But they have a bit of catching up to do on Michael and Patricia Cleary who reached their 40th wedding anniversary milestone recently. Congrats to the Cornamagh duo on their longevity and here"s to many more! Well done too to a couple of our U-18 Internationals Daniel Qualter and Jack Carty, who were both influential in Roscommon minor footballers advancing to the forthcoming Connacht final. BBQ Success The recent BBQ proved a tremendous success, both socially and financially, with a healthy turnout on the night. Sincere thanks to all who helped organise this event which, hopefully, will be the first of many that will revitalise the club"s off-pitch activities. Thanks especially to Tony Henshaw, Ray O"Loughlin and their musical sidekicks, to Carty Meats for sponsorship of meats, to the staff of The Bounty, and to new club President Ray Duffy for his passionate acknowledgment of the occasion. His predecessor Joe Cleary won the top prize of a weekend away (compliments of The Bounty) while his wife Audrey won second prize, which she very kindly donated back and thus Michael Corbett won this lovely prize (a cruise on the Shannon courtesy of Athlone Cruisers). Other prize-winners included Carmel Lyons (Dubarry Admiral footwear), Alan McNeice (Connacht kit) and Diarmuid Sloane (IRFU tie). Meanwhile, the last weekend of the month promises to be hectic around Dubarry Park with the "Friends of Michael Hanley" holding their third fund-raising event towards the leukaemia fund/St. James Hospital on Saturday, July 25. This takes the form of a BBQ plus music and entertainment that includes Eva, Bernard and Patrice Coyle, PJ Stacey, the Midlands Youth Orchestra and Reel Rhythm Irish Dancers. Tickets are now on sale for this worthwhile cause at a 'recessionary' €20 each and can be purchased at The Bounty. The following day, Athlone Ravens are hosting the first ever Marching Bands competition in the town and it will be staged on the main pitch at Dubarry Park. The Ravens are putting in a huge amount of time, effort and practice for this event which promises to provide terrific entertainment for the anticipated large crowd from all corners of the country on Sunday, July 26. YOUTH DISCO APOLOGY Apologies to all our Junior Cert patrons on the cancellation of the recent Youth Disco at very short notice due to matters outside the organisers" control. A new date will be scheduled shortly. In the meantime, refunds can be obtained at The Bounty (evenings) in respect of tickets purchased. However, any tickets not reimbursed will be valid for the next alcohol-free Disco soon. SUMMER CAMP A Rugby Summer Camp for boys and girls aged 6 years to 13 years is scheduled to take place at Dubarry Park from July 20th/24th. This camp, organised by the Connacht Branch IRFU, takes place on Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 2pm daily. Enrolment is €80 per child. For full details and Application Form, log on to connachtrugby.ie. CONDOLENCES Deepest sympathy is extended to Carol and Martin Kiely on the death recently of Carol"s father Derry.