Noel Mannion set to take up Buccaneers management role

THE scorer of one of the most famous tries in Irish rugby history is to lend his coaching expertise to Buccaneers for the coming season. Former Ireland international and Ballinasloe native, Noel Mannion, has been confirmed as joint manager of the club"s under-20 team for the coming season, and will work closely alongside Coosan"s David Henshaw. Then just 26-years-old, Mannion is best remembered for a 70-yard try he scored during a Five Nations Championship clash with Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on February 4, 1989. Mannion, who featured for Buccaneers during the latter stages of a distinguished playing career, won a total of 16 international caps with the country"s senior team and has been more recently involved with Ballinasloe Rugby Football Club. Mannion played the vast majority of his club rugby with Corinthians and operated at number 8. David Henshaw - the only Athlone native to win an All-Ireland League winners medal, with Garryowen - and Noel Mannion take over the under-20 side after last season"s manager, Niall Moran, joined junior club Athy as head coach. Both Henshaw and Mannion will no doubt command respect within the under-20 ranks of the club and form a potentially exciting management duo. Buccaneers" under-20 side narrowly avoided relegation from Division One last term after suffering a spate of injuries and having several players called into the first-team panel. The under-20 league season begins for Henshaw and Mannion in October.