Buccaneers AGM reflects on positives as Flynn takes president role

Outgoing President Eoin Reid welcomed a large attendance to the Buccaneers RFC Annual General Meeting which was held recently in The Lower Deck at The Bounty. With comprehensive reports on various aspects of the club, it proved to be a lengthy affair.

Eoin said that the senior team had put pride back in the jersey and he complimented the coaches, management and players. The U-20s have some serious talent as they retained their Leinster League title and Reid was pleased that a senior women’s team was back on the pitch. Youths rugby is in great health and Minis rugby is going from strength to strength as he reflected on an enjoyable season in office.

Development and improvement of club facilities has commenced with fine work done on the dressing-rooms. This will need to continue with an all-weather playing surface being a priority.

Under the stewardship of Michael Kiely and Ray Flanagan, the club’s finances have been managed excellently and the club has no debt. Eoin thanked the club’s Executive Committee and members for their support during his year as President and he was particularly thankful to his wife Ann and family. He wished incoming President Sean Flynn the very best for the season ahead.

David Nolan’s wide-ranging and in-depth Secretary’s report echoed much of the President’s views. He complimented the work being done re infrastructure around the club led by Lorna Stuart Trainor and noted that the gym should be in place ahead of the coming season. Adult rugby provided optimism for the future with the success of the U-20s being the highlight.

The club’s finances are significantly improved and well marshalled and he urged more people to volunteer at the club. Treasurer Michael Kiely recorded a healthy surplus which was helped by another very successful annual business lunch and much improved income from the ‘Your Club Your Country’ draw. Meanwhile a motion to allocate a percentage of the club’s annual income into a development fund each year was approved at the AGM.

In the various Football reports, the seniors stopped their slide and the U-20s had a very successful campaign. With many promising young players now at the club, Buccaneers foundations hold promise for the coming seasons.

Andrew Henson, Leo Anic and Rourke O’Sullivan were all capped by Ireland U-19s while at Youths level a further trio – Darragh Glennon, Owen Egan and Oisin O’Donoghue – played for Ireland U-18s. There is a pathway for players from club to province and to Ireland and Darragh Murray’s Six Nations cap was a season highlight.

Many boys and girls are featuring in Connacht squads. Charlie Couper was complimented on the exceptional work that he is doing at this level. Club Person of the Year Declan Brady noted that Minis rugby now accounts for about one-third of the membership where children aged up to 12 years learn rugby in an enjoyable environment through coaching and participating in blitzes with community spirit also being an important ingredient.

The election of officers, with female representation continuing to grow there, for the coming season followed the various reports with Sean Flynn taking up the mantle of President. It is a proud honour for the Athlone native who said he would do all in his power to lead by example and be willing to take on board the views of all sections of the club. He will not shy away from the hard work and challenges that he will undoubtedly face and he is wished every success in his role.

Officers elected

The following officers were elected to the Executive Committee of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club for the coming season 2026-27.

President: Sean Flynn. Senior Vice-President: Trevor Thompson. Honorary Secretary: David Nolan. Assistant Secretary: Eoghan Slevin. Hon. Treasurer: Michael Kiely. Football Chairperson: Niall Moran. Youths Secretary: Sara Gibson Gaynor. Minis Secretary: Declan Brady. Women’s Secretary: Amy O’Connor. Media Officer: Michael Silke. Commercial & Marketing: Stella Devine. Membership Secretary: Jacqui Pears. Representative to Connacht Rugby: Tom Boland. Ex-Officio: Eoin Reid.