GAIN LINE

Season kicks off soon!

The rugby off-season seems to be getting shorter year by year and, with the Rugby World Cup looming, the international players were back in action last Saturday when Ireland eased to a win over Italy. The action for Buccaneers players commences on Saturday week when the Pirates kick off the defence of their Connacht Senior League title at home to Corinthians. Training has been progressing satisfactorily under the triumvirate of Paul Byrne, Benny Gilligan and David Henshaw with Craig Milling returning to the fold as senior manager. The players and coaching team have a full day squad session at Dubarry Park next Saturday ahead of the competitive fare.

Brigid’s boys triumph in Golf Classic

There was a full entry sheet for Buccaneers annual Golf & BBQ event held at Glasson Lakehouse when the bumper attendance was blessed with beautiful playing and weather conditions on the scenic course.

Gerry McInerney’s team’s scoring was as bright as the sunshine and the St Brigid’s GAA stalwarts were the clearest of winners in this event for many a year on a score of 103 points. His teammates were Kevin Clabby, John Stack and Barry Donnelly. Jim Keane’s quartet, featuring Gilbert Barrington, Peter Keenan and Tommy McArdle, were runners-up on 96. Gerry McLaughlin, aided and abetted by Philip O’Farrell, Dan Clarke and Denis O’Sullivan, finished third on 93.

Geraldine Coughlan from The Bounty team won the Women’s Longest Drive prize with Paul McNally from Tom Fitzgerald’s Gateway Insurance selection capturing the Men’s equivalent. David Porter (from Michael Walsh’s Dubarry team) won the Nearest the Pin accolade. Buccaneers RFC thank everyone who supported this fundraiser by participating or sponsoring a tee. Special merit to all at Glasson Lakehouse for the food and service and especially for having the course in splendid condition. The prizes will be presented to the winners at Buccaneers opening home AIL fixture v UCC on October 14th.

Summer Camp

Buccaneers are holding a Rugby Summer Camp for boys and girls aged 7 to 12 years at Dubarry Park. Supported by Smith’s SuperValu Monksland, the fiveday camp takes place from Monday next, August 14th to Friday 18th from 9.30 am each day. Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 or email rugby@dubarrypark. com to register.

Mini coaching switched to Sundays

Important notice for parents re Minis training: Coaching for U-5s to U-12s will take place on Sunday mornings at Dubarry Park this coming season. Sessions will commence at 10.30 am for approximately one hour. Starting date will be announced shortly.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Geraldine Kenny on her 20th anniversary as administrator at Buccaneers RFC. Her value to the club is immeasurable, always willing with a smile to keep everything shipshape. Buccaneers simply could not operate without her so here’s to another two decades of dedicated and efficient endeavour.

Congratulations too to Ted Carty whose family firm Oliver Carty and Family won an unprecedented seven ‘star status’ awards for their pork and bacon products at the prestigious Great Taste food awards in UK and Ireland. 150 people are employed at the Athlone business.

were gold medals for: Ballagahderreen’s U-16, U-14 and U-12 Skittles teams; Elphin (U-16 Draughts); Roscommon/Kilteevan (U-11 and U-16 Chess); and Tarmonbarry/Scramogue (U13 Chess). Silver medals were won by Elphin (U-10 and U-14 Draughts).

SPORTS DESK With Dan Dooner

Texaco cash boost for Boyle Camogie

Boyle Camogie Club has been announced as one of the twenty-five Irish sports clubs to benefit from this year’s €125,000 Texaco Support for Sport initiative.

Now in its third year, the scheme is hosted and organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand, and the judging process is overseen by former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Fleming to the fore!

Sean Fleming was the worthy winner on what was the final night of The Hollywood Bar Darts Superleague last Friday. The standard on show was very high with the night’s top checkout supplied by Aaron Blaides with a 156 finish.

Sean Fleming eventually overcame Wayne Harries in the final, having stormed his way to the decider by topping his group and comfortably accounting for Krystof Wesolowski (3-0), Paul Carton (3-1), and David Concannon (3-0) in the knockout stages. The final itself saw Flem- ing’s clinical form continue as he took control from the first game to run out the deserved 3-0 winner.

The focus now switches to finals night where the Cup Final will see Fleming battle it out with David Concannon, Thomas Concannon, Paul Carton, Mark Finneran, Aaron Blaides, Wayne Harries, and Mick Egan.

The Shield Finals will feature Aaron Killane, James Morris, Jimmy Owens, Gerard Glynn, Kieran McCormack, Ken Turkington, Martin Fleming, and Eoin Byrne.

All welcome for what promises to be an entertaining night of darts.

Of the clubs receiving funding this year, €50,000 will be divided amongst six clubs devoted to GAA sports and four soccer clubs.

In addition, a further €25,000 is shared equally amongst three basketball clubs and two tennis clubs. Further disbursements will see €50,000 being divided amongst ten additional clubs whose disciplines include archery, athletics, bowls, cricket, handball, hockey, gymnastics, kayaking, rugby and sub-aqua – all receiving €5,000 each.

Entries for the 2024 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open in the autumn.

Danni’s champions!

Congratulations to Rathbrennan native and MMA fighter/coach Danni Neilan, who recently led Team Ireland to a sixth place finish at the 2023 IMMAF Youth World Championships in the UAE. The team brought home three gold medals and nine bronze to finish ahead of Kazakhstan and Poland in the rankings.

Granlahan Sports Day returns

Now in its 43rd year, Granlahan Sports Day returns this Sunday (August 13th) from 2.30 pm and organisers are trying to trace past overall winners and are calling for anyone with old photographs of previous events to get in touch with them.

This year’s event is bigger and better than ever with admission €10 for families or €5 per adult. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Events include National School Age Mixed Football (2.30 pm sharp), Egg and Spoon and three-legged races as well as Bale Rolling and a new event, ‘Play Your Cards Right’. There will also be other novelty events on the day including ‘Guess the weight of the sheep’, and ‘How many sweets in the jar?’ A raffle will take place on the day too.

All welcome this Sunday in Granlahan for what promises to be another exciting Sports Day!