The O'Neill Cup

By 1928 rugby fever had taken a firm grip in every major town in West Cork and the rivalry, while sporting, was intense. Bandon, winners of the Minor Cup, and Macroom, the County Cup winners, were vying with each other for the title of 'Kingpins' of the region. Bantry, Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Clonakilty all had closely fought encounters with the aforementioned. Downriver, Kinsale were eagerly seeking recognition, while looming in the mists of North Cork were towering giants who had banded together to form the Kanturk club.

The flame that set this cauldron boiling was tendered by Kinsale businessman, Eamonn O'Neill who, perceiving the rapid growth of rugby in the area, presented a magnificent Silver Cup "for competition between the rugby football clubs of West Cork".

Altered Format.

The stage was now set for the first O'Neill Cup Campaign that since is annually contested with a passion and intensity that is characteristic only of West Cork. One has only to reflect on the jubilation and pride that greeted Clonakilty's first ever win of the O'Neill Cup in 1982 to appreciate how well the charming competition has endured.

Over the years the format of the contest for the O'Neill Cup has been altered as the number of West Cork teams declined and more and more county teams sought inclusion in the competition. To-day, all junior clubs in the county take part, and recently some minor clubs have also been included.

However, it is significant to note that in the 50 years it has been played for it has only been won by clubs from outside West Cork on 10 occasions. Cobh were the first in 1945.

By hook or by crook.

In its inaugural year 1928-29, Kinsale defeated Bantry (3 - 0) in the semifinal while Bandon faced Clonakilty at the same junction. This game was a turbulent affair and the teams were tied at nil all at full time. Extra time was agreed upon and Nagle broke the deadlock by scoring a try. Then T. Poland put the seal on the match by adding another try.

The final was played in Kinsale on Wednesday, May 8th 1929. Ted Poland has vivid memories of the game and events leading up to it. "The referee, Mr. Russell, an ex-British Military Officer, was out on pension and had plenty of time on his hands; he was down in Kinsale staying with Eamonn (O'Neill) the donor of the cup. since the previous Wednesday. Kinsale were to win that cup by hook or by crook. Now we had a great game, alright, and we were all over Kinsale. We were over the line several times but Russell wouldn't give anyone a try. We were running into the last 15 minutes and we still hadn't a score and couldn't and wouldn't be let score. We were whistled back or a 25 was given every time, but, eventually, on the twenty five we got beautiful possession and the ball was passed quickly along the line to Billy O'Neill, who was playing centre, and J. J. Callaghan shouted to him, "Drop a goal, Billy", and Billy duly kicked the goal and Russell had no choice but to give it to him. That was the only score of the game".

The presentation of the cup took place at the dress ball that evening in Kinsale amidst riotous scenes of jubilation. The O'Neill Cup has been won by Bandon in at least 14 of the 35 recorded finals. Unfortunately, there are no reliable records to be found other than newspaper accounts, and, not all the finals have been chronicled. A far more hazardous source of winners is the actual trophy itself on which the victors affix their nameplates and even etch the name on the actual cup. As there are so many years unaccounted for on the trophy it would seem that a second base was attached and is now lost.

The benevolent Eamonn O'Neill had an effigy of a rugby player balancing precariously on the lid of the cup. The lid remains but the rugby player has, like some of his ilk, turned to the drink. In his case, however, it is believed to be the chilly and murky river Lee. Despite these slight blemishes the O'Neill Cup retains its fascination. It is a tonic that can bolster a struggling team, an incentive that will goad a passive follower into a passionate fanatic, but, ultimately the magic of the O'Neill Cup competition is that it is the potion that can transform mediocre team members into great rugby players.

 

Dr. Pat O'Callaghan.

That season (1928 - 29) Bandon defeated Clonakilty (6 - 3) in the second round of the County Cup and in the semifinal against Macroom, April 8th, 1929 J. J. Callaghan scored and converted the famous try already described by Ted Poland which put Bandon through to the final against Kanturk. (April 21st, 1929). Kanturk had an enormous team at the time. Dr. Pat O'Callaghan, the Olympic hammer Champion (1928 and 1932) played in the pack with his brother Con.

In the first half Pat O'Callaghan scored two tries and Bandon's wing threequarter, O'Connell, replied with a penalty to make it 6 - 3 at the interval. Kanturk's sheer physical strength took its toll on the lighter Bandon eight and Con O'Callaghan scored again which put the winning of the game beyond Bandon's reach. "Bandon's W. O'Neill and J. J. Callaghan played excellent football, Nagle gave a good exhibition in the threequarters; McCarthy and Phelan were the best of the forwards". Cork Examiner April 22nd 1929.

Bandon: Full back: W. O'Neill; Threequarters: C. O'Connell, D. Nagle, J. Collins, J. Nagle, Halves: M. Poland, J. J. O'Callaghan, Forwards, J. J. Phelan (Capt.), J. Neville, J. Glynn, J. Desmond, T. Quill, J. Hunt, G. Barry, D. F. McCarthy.

Who's who.

Both Jackie Glynn and Barry McCarthy (Innishannon) were Doctors and played with College. Gerard Barry was a Garda Sergeant, Joe Collins a National Teacher, John Hunt and Charlie O'Connell were both Bank Clerks. J. J. Phelan, a member of the Phelan family, proprietors of the Hardware Store, was an adept at Gaelic Football as he was at Rugby and , very often, he played both codes on the same day. Denis, Jim and Ted Nagle were great athletes. Denis Nagle played senior rugby later with Sundays Well.

John Hunt was elected captain for the season 1929-30, once more, Bandon figured in the latter stages of the County Cup. In the semi-final Bandon met their old foes, Macroom, on Sunday 28th April, 1930. Bandon had "a finished set of backs", but the scoring was done by forwards Harry Seeman, who got over in the corner and John Desmond "who grounded close in". Callaghan added the conversion and a penalty. The final score was 11 -0 to Bandon. Bandon: E. Butler, W.I. McCarthy, C. O'Connell, D. Nagle, J. Nagle, J. J. O'Callaghan, D. T. Poland, J. Glynn, J. J. Hunt (Capt.), J. J. Phelan, H. Seeman, J. Desmond, T. Quill, J. Neville, Phil Phelan.

J. Swiney who played in the 1886 senior final had supplied his car, an Armstrong Siddley. to transport some of the team to the match. His nephew, Dan White, was driving and he joined in the celebrations afterwards and, seemingly, took one too many. The garage was at the rear of Old Bank House, Swiney's own residence, and as he drove in the narrow passage he "tore the whole damned side out of it". Mr. Swiney, not surprisingly, refrained from offering his car again.

The Kanturk Wasp.

In the final Bandon once again faced Kanturk in the Mardyke. Kanturk had been invited to play in the Senior Charity Cup that year and were strongly fancied to sweep the boards in all Junior competitions. Bandon were under no illusions about the difficulties facing them and spent long arduous training stints preparing themselves for the final. But, on the day of the match a major disaster occured.

Bandon knew that Kanturk's trump card was the mighty duo of Dr. Pat and Con O'Callaghan and Bandon pinned their hopes on counteracting them with a fitter and more resolute pack. John Desmond was assigned the task of subduing the legendary Pat O'Callaghan and nobody doubted that he was not equal to it. The convoy of cars left the town, and then fate took a hand in events. John himself takes up the story.

"I was travelling in Harry Seaman's car, a saloon car, and on the way a wasp got into the car and gave me a sting on the throat and it swelled out like a balloon. Instead of bringing me to the match I was brought to the South Infirmary for treatment and I wasn't left out 'till after the game'. Ted Poland continues "Pete O'Sullivan was going in to watch the match. He was pulled out of the crowd to make up the number. He hadn't even a pair of boots-, lie had two odd boots he got inside in the pavilion". This incident undermined the team's spirit and for the second year running Bandon were denied the County Cup by Kanturk in the final.

Success.

Having been runners-up for the past two years in the County Cup, Bandon approached the 1930-31 season with renewed determination. John Desmond, Kilbeg, was appointed captain and the club was confident that a major trophy could be annexed under his leadership. John played in the second row and he was greatly admired for his inspiring forward rushes. He was an accomplished footballer and later played Senior Rugby with the Cork Constitution side that reached the Munster Senior Cup Final against U.C.C. in 1935. In a torrid game Constitution came from ten points behind to draw the game. College won the replay by a goal and a try to nil.

Bandons optimism was well founded and the club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever. Bandon easily disposed of all opposition in the run up to both the O'Neill and County Cup finals. Bandon entered the Munster Junior Cup for the first time that year; they were the first West Cork Club to do so.

Bandon emerged victors from the South Munster section having defeated Constitution 3 - 0 (T. O'Donovan penalty). They now faced Richmond in the Munster Junior Cup semi-final in the Markets Field, Limerick on Sunday April 26th, 1931. Bandons reputation had preceeded them and a huge crowd attended the match despite the fact that the day was atrociously wet. There was a continuous downpour throughout the match and the game was stopped for a quarter of an hour but, when it became apparent the rain wasn't going to abate, play continued. The ground was badly cut up and visibility was poor. A Richmond forward got over for a try which was awarded despite the pleas of the visitors that he had infringed the laws. Bandon staged a gallant counter attack and "were unlucky not to equalise when Jim Nagle, after a spirited dribble, saw his final effort go into touch in _goal."

Bandon: Butler, J. J. O'Callaghan, T. O'Donovan, J. Nagle, D. Nagle, D.Poland, J. C. Stapleton, J. Neville, E. Barrett, J. J. Phelan, T. Quill, H. Mullally, J.P.V. Poland, J. Desmond (Capt.) J. Hunt.

Nagle Brothers.

The same year Bandon played Kanturk in the County Cup Final in the Mardyke on April 20th 193 1. Bandon finally avenged their many defeats at the hands of these colossi from North Cork. Bandon had the better of the forward exchanges which paved the way for a brilliant display by the backs. Early in the first half the ball was fed to Ted Poland who gave to out-half Stapleton. The ball was passed along the threequarters to winger Jim Nagle who was held but found Denis Nagle in support. He took the ball and dummied his way over for a try. John Joe Phelan and St. J. Don Byrne added the other scores.

Bandon: E. Butler, J. Nagle, D. Nagle, St. J. Don Byrne, D. 1. McCarthy, J. C. Stapleton, D. T. Poland, J. J. Phelan, E. Barrett, H. Seaman, J. Desmond, T. (Capt.), T. Quill, J. M. Poland, J. Neville, J. J. Hunt.

Try's Galore.

Bandon travelled to Kinsale to play the home side in the final of the O'Neill Cup on the I I th May, 193 1. The teams were played on to the pitch by the Ex-Servicemens' Fife and Drum Band before a large attendance. Whatever hopes Kinsale had of winning the game were quickly dashed by an in-form Bandon XV who were up 13 points after 10 minutes; Stapleton (try), D. Nagle (try), J. Nagle (try), and in the second half trys were added by J. J. O'Callaghan, D. Nagle, T. Poland, . Nagle, J. Neville converted. Bandon won the game by 29 points to nil and Miss M. Neville presented the Cup to John Desmond, the Bandon Captain.

Ted Poland was elected Captain for the season 1931-32. Ted began playing in 19 26 and he was the regular scrum-half for the next 10 years and he partnered J. J. O'Callaghan in many South Munster trial games. He was a fearless serumhalf in an age when forwards exhibited little regard for the finer points of the game and even less for serum-halves. He repeatedly turns up in match reports for having scored himself or for making scores for his colleagues from his thrusting breaks from the base of the serum. As an administrator he has played a major part in the club's recent advancement and Ted is a member of the Committee that organised this years Centenary Celebrations.

Every game Bandon featured in that season was played with the intensity of a cup final due to the fact that they were County and O'Neill Cup champions. Added to this a number of the team had gone to play senior rugby and the team was plagued with injury problems. No trophies came Bandons way that season. However, seven players from the club played in the County team; T. Barry, D. Nagle, D. T. Poland, J. J. O'Callaghan, T. Quill, P. Murphy and J. Desmond.

 

 

A Scintillating Run.

1933 saw Bandon back on the trophy trail once more with Tim Quill in command. Tim set about re-organising the team line-up. John Desmond was drafted into the centres to add more penetration. Dr. Tom Neville the U.C.C. captain and Munster star forward had returned that year. Bandon were unstoppable.

Once again they faced old foes Kanturk in the County Cup Final in the Mardyke on the 16th April, 1933. Kanturk had T. Daly, the Constitution and Munster winger, on their side while Bandon had D. F. Nagle "Sundays Wen sprinting wing threequarters in the centre". The game deteriorated into a dour forward struggle. "Tom Neville, the Bandon hooker, cleaned up in the scrums but Kanturk had the better of the loose exchanges". Kanturk were six points ahead with minutes left to play when "Denis Nagle got possession on the halfway line. The Kanturk defence was completely beaten by his scintillating run and he scored a try. Bandon were then awarded a penalty and the game ended all square.

The teams met the following Sunday afternoon and again this game was a tense affair. Bandon were ahead after five minutes by a try per Arthur O'Connor (Banker) but had to sustain repeated attacks. "From a serum in the Bandon 25 Daly (K) accepted a pass and after making an opening for Linehan (K) the wing man was nearly over but he was well held by Desmond". Others mentioned in this great win were Poland, Neville, Phelan, Quill and Butler. Bandon:E. Butler, E. O'Connor, J. Desmond, W. O'Neill, T. Nagle, D. T. Poland, J. J. O'Callaghan, J. J. Phelan, T. A. Neville, T. Quill (Capt.), J. Neville, P. Murphy, C. Kennedy, J. M. Poland, P. Hennessy.

Ernie Butler was the youngest player on the side and he gave many sterling performances for Bandon. He and his brother played later for Bandon Harlequins in the late thirties. Paddy Murphy, Monarone, was another regular on the team and played senior rugby with Cork Constitution for a number of seasons. Denis Lane, Watergate Street, was a member of the team for a number of seasons and played with the earlier O'Neill Cup winning team.

The Sideline.

There are many people who played with and supported the teams but who do not feature in the reports. Jerry Canniffe, Watergate St., Gus McCarthy, Cork Road, Jack Quill (Tim's brother) and Donie Fitzgibbon, Oliver Plunkett St. Chris McCarthy, the plumber in North Main St., featured prominently at the time. Bandon's greatest supporter and permanent touch judge was Chris Linehan, Connolly Street who used the alias Mr. Clifton, Bank House, when confronted by irate followers of the opposition. He recalls many occasions when he was obliged to make unpopular decisions favouring Bandon and he joins in the ranks of famous Bandon linesmen.

Bandon contested the Munster Junior Cup the next season but most of the cup winning side had retired or had left to play senior rugby in Cork. Tim Quill joined Sundays Well, John Desmond and Jerry Murphy played with Constitution Teddy Poland went to Dolphin. This was the end of a glorious era in the annals of Bandon Rugby Club and Bandonians had to wait sixteen years before the club would once again bring home a trophy.