Buccaneers Appoint Lennon As Director Of Rugby
Buccaneers RFC have announced the appointment of their current Under-20 manager, Jude Lennon, as director of rugby. This is exciting news for the Athlone club moving forward.
This new role will include the development and implementation of a co-ordinated coaching programme throughout all sections of Buccaneers RFC, including an ‘agreed playing philosophy’ throughout all teams. Jude Lennon will oversee the long term player development throughout the club as well as taking responsibility for the recruitment and retention of players and coaches.
Developing and maintaining links with schools and colleges will be another priority in this role which will include chairing Buccaneers Football Sub-Committee.
A native of Drum, Athlone, County Roscommon, Lennon is a long-serving member of the club having commenced his rugby under the tutelage of one Derry Fitzpatrick. He played at many levels for the then Athlone RFC, captaining their Connacht Senior Cup winning team of 1990 that also gained qualification to the inaugural All-Ireland League.
Lennon played in four Senior Cup finals and won two Connacht Senior League titles with Athlone in 1987 and 1988. He played for Athlone/Ballinasloe and then Buccaneers in the All-Ireland League. He captained Connacht ‘A’ for two seasons and also represented the province’s Junior side.
He commenced coaching while still playing for the club’s first team and has coached various underage and adult squads at Dubarry Park. A notable success was the Athlone club’s first ever All-Ireland success when he guided the Under-18 squad to national honours in 2001.
He later teamed up with Tony Dolan to steer Buccaneers’ senior side to win the All-Ireland League Division 2 title in 2007/08 and they remained at the helm the following season. Lennon was assistant coach to Charlie Couper for Buccaneers Under-20s who reached the 2003/04 All-Ireland final. He has coached the club’s Under-20s for the past two seasons when they have reached the knockout stages of the Fraser McMullen Cup.
Lennon has also had coaching stints with Mullingar and Midland Warriors and as well as being a rugby development officer in schools and colleges for Leinster Rugby. He is married to Margaret and they have two sons, Bryan and Niall.