Buccs travel south to face UCC

BUCCANEERS head south to the Mardyke in Cork where they tackle University College, Cork, in the AIB League Division 1B on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm. UCC are in the top half of the division but a Buccs victory could put them level on points with the Students, so tight is this division apart from the top two pacesetters. College made a poor start to the campaign but then won three matches on the trot to lift them up the table. They are a developing side but lost some key players last summer, notably Gavin Dunne to St. Mary's College and Stephen Archer to Cork Constitution. They will surely endeavour to play an expansive type game although their grounds was recently seriously flooded (with even one notable photo in a newspaper of a student removing a bream from the rugby pitch!). Outhalf Andrew Burke (ex-Garryowen) and full-back Sean Scanlon both featured in Ireland's U-20 side at Dubarry Park last season, while wing Brian Dennehy and centre Ivan Dineen (who captains the side) are two other danger men in the southerners backs division. Buccs must plan without J.H. Potgeiter who sustained a fresh injury in training last week but Paul Harte should be fit to return after his injury although this fixture may come too early for John O'Brien. In their current injury plight, Buccs could really do with a Connacht regular or two in the backline while the pack will have to work as hard as they did in the second half against Ballynahinch when their efforts will, hopefully, be more fruitful. The Athlone side simply must not come back empty-handed from this tie that could have a sizeable bearing on both clubs' seasons. Buccaneers U-21s will also be hoping for better fortune in their final South-West Conference National League encounter at home to Bruff on Saturday. This game kicks off at 2.30pm in Dubarry Park. The Reserves too need to gain something from their home Connacht Junior League match against Corrib on Sunday following their disastrous exit from the Junior Cup. The Thirds make the short hop across the border to square up to rivals West Offaly Lions in the Connacht J2 League also on Sunday. Kick off time for both games on Sunday is 2.30pm.