24 October 2026, Dubarry Park Athlone -Round 4, AIL D2BS. A view from the sideline By OMAHD 🐕
Buccaneers RFC 7 – 59 Bective Rangers FC
Bective Rangers produced a devastating display of attacking rugby at Dubarry Park on Saturday, overcoming the elements and Buccaneers to record a resounding 59–7 victory in Round 4 of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South.
With Storm Bóeló making its presence felt across the country, conditions in Athlone were far from ideal. Gale-force winds and driving rain swept across and down the pitch from the clubhouse side, making handling and kicking difficult. Yet Bective proved remarkably comfortable in the turmoil, combining forward power with clinical finishing to register nine tries and underline their early-season credentials.
It was also a significant occasion for the visitors. Bective were making their first trip to Dubarry Park for an AIL fixture in 19 years. The last meeting between the sides in the league, back in Division 2 on 1 December 2007, had ended in a 24–17 defeat for Rangers. This time, there was to be no repeat.
Buccaneers arrived with confidence after snatching a dramatic 26–24 victory over Thomond the previous Saturday, courtesy of the last kick of the game. Bective, meanwhile, had built momentum with a hard-earned 15–7 home win over Midleton. The question was whether they could carry that form into a notoriously difficult away assignment. The answer was emphatic.
McKeown opens the floodgates
With the wind at their backs, Bective needed just seven minutes to make their mark.
A kick ahead by Matthew Gilsenan created the opportunity, and James McKeown showed excellent awareness and pace to chase the ball and touch down in the corner. It was an ideal start for the visitors, who quickly demonstrated that the conditions would not prevent them from playing positive rugby.
David Fitzgibbon added the conversion, and Bective were on their way.
The Rangers were beginning to find their rhythm, with the pack providing a platform and the backs taking advantage of the opportunities that came their way. Tim Carroll was next to cross, adding to Bective's growing advantage as the visitors began to stretch the Buccaneers defence.
Fitzgibbon continued to keep the scoreboard moving, while the Bective forwards were making their presence felt in the collisions and around the breakdown.
The visitors were playing with confidence, and the tries continued to arrive.
Captain Christopher Hennessy got his name on the scoresheet, followed by Gavin Kelly, as Bective's attacking play began to take its toll. Fitzgibbon's reliable boot added further points, leaving the home side with a sizeable problem to solve.
The weather may have made handling difficult, but Bective were showing impressive composure, taking their opportunities and making the most of their possession.
Conor Kelly added another try in the 33rd minute, and the Rangers were now firmly in control of proceedings.
As half-time approached, Matthew Gilsenan crossed for another Bective try in injury time, with Fitzgibbon again converting.
It had been a first-half performance built on intensity, accuracy and an impressive ability to make the most of the wind.
(Half-time: Buccaneers RFC 0 – 40 Bective Rangers FC)
The second half offered Buccaneers the opportunity to regroup and attempt to restore some pride. Finally, they got on the scoreboard in the 41st minute, when a misjudged pass from Bective presented Conor Dowling with an opportunity he was quick to seize. Dowling needed no second invitation, and Buccaneers had their only try of the afternoon.
It was a brief interruption to Bective’s dominance. Rather than allowing the score to disrupt their rhythm, the visitors quickly settled back into their work and continued to apply pressure.
Matthew Gilsenan crossed for his second try of the afternoon in the 48th minute, with Fitzgibbon adding the extras. The Bective advantage continued to grow, and the visitors were now playing with the freedom of a side thoroughly enjoying its afternoon's work.
For all the talk of the conditions, Bective were demonstrating that good decision-making and strong support play can be just as important as the weather in determining the outcome of a rugby match.
The forwards continued to work tirelessly, while the backs made the most of the space available to them. Buccaneers were struggling to stem the tide, and Bective showed little inclination to ease off.
As the game entered its final quarter, Alex Walsh crossed in the 67th minute to add another five points to the visitors' tally.
There was still time for one more flourish.
Edward Kelly touched down in the 77th minute, and Fitzgibbon completed the conversion to bring Bective to a remarkable 59 points.
Nine tries, a succession of successful conversions and a performance that had long since settled the outcome.
Bective travelled to Athlone looking to continue the progress made against Midleton. They left with five league points, nine tries and a result that will have caught the attention of the rest of Division 2B South.
The final whistle confirmed a 59–7 victory for Bective Rangers — a 52-point margin on a day when the elements might have been expected to make life difficult for any visiting side.
Storm Bóeló may have battered Athlone, but it was Bective Rangers who left Dubarry Park making all the noise.
The Rangers are travelling well — and Division 2B South has been put on notice.
Next up: Thomond away
The Rangers now turn their attention to Round 5, with a trip to Liam Fitzgerald Park in Limerick on Saturday, October 31, for a 2.30pm kick-off against Thomond RFC and they will have every reason to believe they can extend their winning run if they reproduce the intensity, forward dominance and clinical finishing displayed at Dubarry Park.
The message is clear: enjoy the victory, recover well, and prepare for the next challenge.
The Rangers are travelling in the right direction.
Scorers:
Bective Rangers: Tries - James McKeown (7'), Tim Carroll (14'), Christopher Hennessy (18'), Gavin Kelly (20'), Conor Kelly (33'), Matthew Gilsenan (40+3', 48'), Alex Walsh (67'), Edward Kelly (77'), Conversions: David Fitzgibbon (14', 18', 21', 34', 40+3', 48', 78').
Buccaneers RFC: Tries - Conor Dowling (41'), Conversions: Jack Quinn (43').
BECTIVE RANGERS 1st XV:15 Tim Carroll; 14 James McKeown, 13 Alex Walsh, 12 Matthew Gilsenan, 11 Edward Kelly; 10 David Fitzgibbon, 9 Charlie Reilly; 1 Christopher Hennessy (capt), 2 Chris Poole, 3 Conor Kelly; 4 Andrew Treacy, 5 Conor McMenamin; 6 Evan Galvin, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 Gavin Kelly.
Replacements: 20 Scott Barron, 21 Luke Mion, 22 Donagh Lawler, 23 Bobby Holand, 24 Chris Rolland.
Referee: Ciaran O’Flynn, LAR IRFU.
