Buccaneers take on MU-Barnhall in the Energia All-Ireland League at Parsonstown on Saturday.
Kick-off for this Division 2A game, the first of two away fixtures, is 2:30pm. The Co. Kildare club pipped Buccs 15-13 at Dubarry Park in early December when the midlanders did not maintain their momentum after building up a 13-0 halftime advantage.
This is now a crunch ‘must win’ game for both sides as they strive for top four positions. Buccs currently lie in fourth place, two spots above MU-Barnhall, who have lost home and away to Cashel since the sides met last month.
The Athlone outfit are capable of winning but must put in a sustained and more focussed performance than in recent matches. Graham Lynch could make a first AIL start of this season in this fixture.
Buccaneers seconds will also be striving to get back to winning ways when they travel to Monivea on Sunday afternoon for a Connacht Junior 1A joust at the Castle grounds.
This is a rescheduled fixture, the original tie being aborted due to floodlights failure. Monivea are struggling this season and the pirates should be capable to claiming victory but may need a more cohesive effort on what is likely to be a heavy sod.
Buccs skipper Brian McDonnell will be keen to come out on top on his home turf where the action kicks off at 2:30pm.
Buccaneers U-20’s resume their J.P.Fanagan Leinster Premier League 3 campaign with a home game against Boyne on Sunday. The clubs are at opposite ends of the league table and, at Dubarry Park, leaders Buccs should be too strong. But they must guard against complacency, otherwise Boyne can punish them.
Finally, Buccaneers Womens team are on the road to the north-west to take on Ballina in the Connacht Womens League. The Mayo side are propping up the table while Buccs, despite being relatively inexperienced, lie in mid table. They may just have enough to come out on top at Heffernan Park where the kick-off is at 1pm.
