Henshaw Takes Over As Buccaneers Coach

Long-time club stalwart David Henshaw has been appointed senior coach at AIB League Division 1B club Buccaneers for the remainder of the season. He replaces Neal Culliton who departed ‘on good terms’ last week.

Neal Culliton and Tony O’Brien were wished every success in the future and thanked for their endeavours by Buccaneers officials, club members, players and supporters.

Buccs’ new senior coach David Henshaw has had a long involvement with the midlands club, initially as a young player at Athlone RFC and he also played for Marist College.

Henshaw gradually came up through the ranks to become a formidable representative player, reckoned by many as one of the best props ever to represent Connacht.

Indeed, he was one of the first of a then new breed of front row player, being both mobile and savvy! He played with Garryowen for one season and anchored their pack as they won their first All-League title.

Henshaw has been involved in the coaching structure at Buccaneers through various underage teams, currently in charge of the club’s Under-21 squad whom he guided through to the national play-offs last season.

He was also Eddie O’Sullivan’s ‘right hand man’, along with Kieran Slevin, when the former Ireland coach and now USA boss was in charge during Buccaneers’ heady rise to Division 1 in the AIB League. 

Henshaw faces a massive challenge endeavouring to keep Buccaneers in Division 1B but got his campaign off to a winning start against fellow strugglers Dungannon on Saturday.

Next up is a trip to fellow relegation contenders Ballynahinch on March 6, while Buccaneers’ final two games are both at home to UCC and Young Munster.