The Seventies

When Noel Hickey took over the captaincy of Bandon in 1971 he immediately set about re-organising the weekly training sessions. The attendance at these sessions had slumped to an all-time low and the effect of this was seen time and time again on the field. That Bandon had the talent to win any Junior Competition there was no doubt, but the drive and initiative to do so was lacking. The first training session was advertised but nobody other than the captain turned up. Undaunted, Noel ran around the pitch for two hours, togged off and went home. News of this incident quickly filtered through the rugby grapevine in town and the result it produced was profound. The old hands, newcomers, alicadoos, hasbeens, in fact anybody with the slightest connection with the club literally thronged to training that winter. For oncetraining was done on a set schedule and every group was catered for, from the haughty juniors to the lowly minor B's. The coaching that members got in the very basics of the game that year has in no small way been responsible for the phenomenal success of the club in the past decade.

Some Astonishing Decision.

In the 90 years that Bandon had been playing competitive rugby, this season and the next were doubtlessly among the finest and yet the most disappointing. With the Junior League virtually wrapped up, Bandon slumped against Skibbereen and those two points cost them the title. In the County Cup Competition, having beaten Tralee 10-7 in the semi-final, Bandon went into the final against Cobh Pirates as favourites. A tag that never hangs lightly around Bandon's neck, it was not the reason for Bandon's downfall that day as the Southern Star explains: "While both sides parted without serious acrimony there were some extraordinary decisions and "happenings" which will cause controversy in rival camps for many a day". The score was level at 9 all. Then the trouble started - a ball was dribbled over the Bandon line but almost miracul ously Paddy Moloney, the Bandon scrum half got back to cover and dived on the ball. Mick Walley in turn dived on Moloney and, though most spectators considered that Moloney "had saved day", the referee awarded a try to Cobh".

"Worse was to follow; with time ticking away, it was obvious that the next score would decide the issue, and with the Bandon line under heavy pressure, Cobh's hopes were high. Nobody expected, however, that the winning score would come from a simple kick-ahead, and when Frank Walley chased a ball over the Bandon line, a Bandon defender, Mervyn Shorten, was seen to touch down first, but the referee awarded a try to Walley, again most amazingly". (Southern Star 6th May 1972.)

Minor Victory

The Bandon minor team of that season 1971-72 had a desirable blend of experience and youth. Donough Coughlan, Dan O'Brien, Fergus Applebe, Billy Roycroft and Billy Good were regular players in the sixties. Danny Burke, a gifted out-half, Peter and Donal Crowley, the bane of many a scrum-half, and Eoin Keane, who would later be capped for Munster provided the youth and exuberance. Dan Kissane, the club's Munster Branch Representative for the past 10 years played in the backs and Niall O'Driscoll was captain. Niall, who captained the minor team for three season and the junior team in 1974-75, has the unique distinction of leading his side to cup victory each of these seasons. His leadership qualities as Honorary Treasurer of the club has been a major factor in the Old Chapel project.

The minor team got maximum points that season to win the Minor B League and were runners-up in both the McCarthy Cup and Minor A Cup, in the latter by a mere point, having missed a penalty in the dying minutes. In the Munster Junior Cup, Bandon %%ere defeated by Constitution by the narrowest of margins - 4-3, but were finally rewarded when they defeated Skibbereen, the holders, in the O'Neill Cup final in "Knockbrogan Park" by 12 points to 3.

Bandon: Conor O'Mahony, Ivan Shorten. Bertie Smith, Aidan Hickey, Dan Kissane, Tom Hickey, Paddy Moloney, Eoin Keane, Noel O'Connell, B. Hamil, Bob Harmon, Bob Hosford, John Killeen, J. Goggin . Rex Lovell.

 

THE LAST 10 YEARS IN BRIEF.

During the period 1972-77 Bandon had the most successful Junior side in the county. The ONeill Cup was won for five successive seasons, (from '72 to '76), the Quinlan Cup on four occasions and in the 1974-75 season Bandon earned itself the title "Kings of the County" by winning the county Cup, O'Neill Cup and Quinlan Cup. This was an extraordinary achievement for very early in the season the club captain, Niall O'Driscoll, sustained a serious leg injury which prevented him playing for the next few seasons.

Bandon had players of the highest calibre. playing in every position, many of whom made their mark at senior and junior Inter-provincial level. The immensity of the Bandon pack was an intimidating sight and the forwards were the basis of many of Bandon's successes. The speed and tenacity of flankers John Kileens and Rex Lovell allied with the strength and determination of No. 8 Jim Good produced many memorable tries. Jim Sheehan, an Irish University Cap in '78 and current lock with London Irish. Liam and Jerry Nolan, Jerry Deasy, Tom Fullam, Ivor Shorten, Mick White. Noel O'Connell, Eoin Keane, Paddy Desmond, Sean Buttimer and John O'Sullivan. were all regular forwards. The backline included Paddy Moloney, Peter Desmond. Reggie Roycroft, Tom Hickey, Kevin Dillon, Mick O'Mahony, Clonakilty. Conor O'Mahony, Kieran O'Driscoll, Donal O'Donovan, John Stallard, Niall O'Driscoll and Danny Burke. At this time Frank Milne joined the club and his contribution as coach had a desirable effect on all teams. Training once more became a priority and club spirit soared with even the lowly minor B recording notable victories.

After memorable victories over College and Constitution in 1977/78 the elusive league title was denied to Bandon by a Highfield XV that included Irish International Terry Moore. This was a time of re-building the team as many of the 'greats' of the earlier period had departed to greener pastures. With an infusion of new blood in the late seventies, Bandon were back on trophy trail. Des Prendergast, Mick O'Mahony, Barry O'Sullivan, Cameron Sterritt and Finbarr Walsh quickly moulded into the pack and Ronan Gillooly, Anthony Desmond, Declan Crowley and ace kicker, Billy Skuse, joined the backs.

A controversial Junior Cup defeat by Constitution at home was quickly forgotten in 1979-80 when Bandon once again won the County treble; O'Neill, County and Quinlan Cups. With Peter Desmond's appointment as club coach in 1980 a greater emphasis was put on 'total rugby* and success soon followed.

1980-81 saw a marvellous win over Constitution in Templehill in the Munster Junior Cup and, following an outstanding Cup campaign, Bandon were narrowly beaten in the semi-final by Thomond. Once again Bandon took the three county titles. Injury plagued the team in 1981-82 and with many of the team sidelined as a result Bandon failed to reach the final stages in the junior competitions.

The minor teams came good in the late seventies with two West Cork Cup titles in 1980-81 and 1981-82. In the latter season the A's were beaten in the Minor Cup semi-final by Dolphin, having beaten Sundays Well in a spirited game in Musgrave Park. The fourths finally won the Tait Cup in 1980-81 having contested a number of finals and helped to create rugby history when Bandon won five titles in one week.

In 1971 Bandon had their first underage victory when the under 12's won the Highfield 7-a-side trophy. The same personnel with some newcomers won the South Munster Under 18 cup in 1977. They defeated Highfield 3-0 in a tough defensive game. Louis O'Mahony kicked the winning penalty. In 1982 Bandon contested the Cork Senior Charity Cup and had a convincing victory over Highfield. In the semifinal Bandon, led by skipper. Finbarr Walsh, put up a gallant fight but were overcome eventually by Sundays Well the holders.

 

A DECADE OF MEMORIES by "Pro"

It began, oddly enough, at the Rose of Tralee festival in September 1972. As a casual follower only of rugby, a game I had never played, I was invited by Peter Crowley and Niall O'Driscoll to accompany the Bandon squad to the seven-aside tournament then run by Tralee R.F.C. in connection with the festival. Clubs from all over Munster at junior level had entered as well as a senior squad from St. Marys in Dublin. To this day I have never discovered why a senior side was allowed compete in an otherwise junior competition. My first surprise was that Bandon were good enough to reach the final against the Dublin club, whose team contained two names. then household names in Irish senior rugby circles - Paul Andrucette and Tern- Young. The latter was also prominent player in the rise to fame of Cork Hibernians in his native Cork where his grandfather, if my memory is correct, was the late 'Pa' McGrath a keen member of Cork Constitution rugby- club. A Fianna Fad T.D. for Cork city for years, he was also Lord Mayor at the time of his sudden death whilst being driven to the train on his way to the Dail. His grandson, who played in Tralee that day, was also later to become well known on R.T.E. screens where, as an army officer, he led the "rangers, mighty mighty rangers" in a well known advertisement seeking recruits for the Irish army of which he himself was a member.

Great Night.

Though well beaten by St. Marys in the final, Bandon were invited back later that evening to the Tralee clubhouse to receive the runners-up trophies at a social function. Here I was to witness my first taste of the many outstanding social sides to the rugby scene with which I was ultimately to become so familiar over the next decade. As entertainers the Bandon players did themselves proud that night. It was, of course, the ballad session era and the St. Marys players and ourselves were still raising the rafters into the early hours long after the other clubs had departed. Looking back I feel that night helped to a large extent to cement that extra bond of friendship which still exists between Bandon and Tralee who coincidently also celebrate their centenary this year. Little did I think when I wrote a brief report on the Bandon club's achievements that day for the 'Bandon Brieflets' in the 'Southern Star' the following week, that I would still be doing so ten years later and for a vastly expanded club. During those ten years I have held the roles at various times of Hon. Secretary, selector, organiser/manager of the fourth 'adult' team and was honoured with the club presidency in the 79/80 season.

Junior Cup Final.

Looking back over the decade, memories of the achievements and disappointments on the field of play come flooding back. That very season which began in Tralee saw the same Bandon captain Noel Hickey of Aherla lead fifteen Bandon players to their first ever Munster Junior Cup final against Cork Constitution at seasons end. At Musgrave Park on a Sunday evening in April 1973 Bandon were to taste the bitter salts of defeat at the hands of "Con" and, more particularly, at the hands of their outhalf, Adrian Murphy, who was later destined to become the brother-in-law of our own Barry O'Farrell, of South Main St. One of the Bandon backs that evening was Bertie Smith of Timoleague who learned his rugby at Bandon Grammar School. The following season he was to join Constitution and afterwards, represented them at Munster senior level and at Ireland 'B' level in an international against Scotland. For the record the Bandon players in that Munster junior cup final were: - Conor O'Mahony, Dan Kissane, Paddy Moloney, Noel Hickey (Capt.), Noel O'Connell, Rex Lovell, Kevin Dillon, Fergus Appelbe, Jim Sheehan, Bertie Smith, Jim Good, Ivan Shorten, Eoin Keane, Henry Boyd and John Killeen. The names are not in order of team formation. Of those, Jim Sheehan has gone on to win Munster senior titles with U.C.C. before Joining London Irish with whom he toured Nigeria recently. Dan Kissane is our esteemed current Rep. at the South Munster branch meetings. Noel Hickey became captain of the Dolphin senior squad and Noel O'Connell has been very instrumental in getting Dunmanway, where he is now E.S.B. 'boss', off the ground in rugby- The evergreen, Rex Lovell, still plays the odd game with Bandon. Ivan Shorten Paddy Moloney are, with current club captain Eoin Keane, still members of the Bandon Junior squad. Kevin Dillon had played a large role in the good fortunes of Clonakilty since they became established as a rugby force. likewise, Jim Good Played no small part in the recent revival of Kinsale R.F.C.

'Tulips to Amtsterdam

In September 1974 the Bandon dub joined the 'jet set' and set off on a long weekend tour to Amsterdam the organisation of which was entrusted to myself. It was a marvellous trip' which built up a tremendous club spirit which later manifested itself at the end of the season with Bandon capturing both O'Neill and County Cups for the first time in thirteen years. During the trip itself Bandon had a good victory over host club Naarden. However, the social 'happenings' would fill a book which would, no doubt, bring the wrath of the censor on us anyway. Suffice to say that one member of our party got free bed and breakfast the first night and, but for the diplomacy of Grattan Neville on the other occasions. a major deterioration in Irish/Dutch relations was quite on the cards. It was in that season also that Niall O'Driscoll broke his leg and his duties as junior captain were taken over by his vice-captain John Killeen. Johnny's dedication was such that he travelled to the Tuesday and Thursday training sessions in Bandon from Cahir. Co. Tipperary where he worked at that time. At the presentation of the Count) Cup in Musgrave Park Johnny insisted that Niall, complete with crutches. should receive the Cup. The nonplaying captain replied that Johnny's insistence was only because he wanted Niall to pay for filling it.

 

Poor Season.

I can only recall one season during the seventies when Bandon juniors had a bare cupboard at the end. Some tremendously exciting junior cup games were played during these years, in particular the tussles with Midleton. An incident that still clearly comes to mind was the unbelievable tackle by Kieran O'Driscoll on a Midleton player to save Bandon from defeat in one particularly memorable game at Macroom Road. Kieran was one of the finest backs to don the royal blue jersey of Bandon. One O'Neill Cup final that stands out in my memory was played at Musgrave Park on a Saturday evening during a petrol strike. It was a tremendously exciting game which Bandon won by nine points to seven, thanks to the long range penalty kicking of Mick O'Mahony, now of the Clonakilty Club.

 

Injury Time Robbery

My most memorable Junior League game was that against U.C.C. during the captaincy of Tom Hickey in the 77,'78 season. Bandon have always found the students difficult to beat but they did so that day by twenty two points to ten. Here again the boot of Billy Skuse. surely now Bandon's record points scorer of all time, was a major contributory factor in that marvellous win. The 79/80 season was that of the infamous Munster Junior Cup game against "Con" at Macroom Road. This is surely a game never to be forgotten by Bandon followers, but for the wrong reason. After Billy Skuse had converted his own try to give Bandon a clear five points lead with only minutes remaining, many local followers headed for home in the safe knowIedge that Bandon were 'home and dry'. Almost unbelievably, "Con" scored a try in injury time which was converted with the last kick of the game to snatch victory from Bandon in circumstances as dramatic as Offaly's victory over Kerry in this year's All-Ireland football final.

Memorable Victory.

However, that defeat was to spur on Bandon to their greatest ever season (since winning the Munster Senior Cup in 1986) the following year, when they turned the tables on "Con" at their own pounds at Templehill in the first round of the Junior Cup. Led by captain Des Prendergast they went on to reach the semi-final against star Limerick club. Thomond. Again a one point defeat - sixteen points to fifteen - was to be Bandon's lot in a memorable game by the side who beat U.C.C. in the final proper. However. though missing out on its top target once again - the blue riband of junior rugby - Bandon swept the board at county level taking the County. O'Neill, Quinlan and the Cobh fifteen-a-side tournament cup in their stride.

Triple Cup Win.

The final day of that season is likely never to be surpassed by the club as, in addition to the County Cup won by the junior team that day, the Bandon club's second team under Barry O'SuIliv an. won the West Cork cup for the first time and Michael Cronin, captain of Bandon's fourth team brought probably the first ever rugby cup home to Crossbarry when his team won the Tait Cup for the first time also. Though last season 81 -82. Bandon juniors only succeeded in retaining the Cobh trophy, their achievement in reaching the semi-final of the Cork Charity Cup by defeating the Highfield senior team by eighteen points to six made national headlines. Unfortunately that senior competition, in which Bandon represented the junior clubs of the county, was to take its toll in injuries to Bandon players from which the team never recovered for the rest of that season.

Minor Teams.

It those memories tend to lean heavily on the achievements of our juniors it is probably because the strength of any club in any code is measured by the performances of its first team. That is not to overlook those of the other three adult teams which are in reality the reserves of the junior side. One memorable victory achieved by a team other than the four adult sides, was that of a fine Bandon fifteen which won the under eighteen cup for the only time in 1977 when they defeated Highfield in the final at Musgrave Park. Though underage rugby is not this writer's scene as it has a section of its own in the club, I feel obliged to mention this victory in particular as Bandon players of the U 18 side have since contributed much to rugby at adult level. Players that particularly spring to mind are Liam Cosgrave. (Cossie) of Dessert, whose blond head at wing-forward was reminiscent of the great Jeanne Pierre Rives of France, whose achievements he might one day have emulated had not his academic pursuits whisked him off to Dublin where he A as forced by his studies to give rugby a 'back seat'. One of Bandon's finest prospects. he recently qualified at U.C.D. in Chemical Engineering. He had just reached Bandon junior level having come up through the ranks, when he was forced to depart for the metropolis.

 

Senior Players.

Another fine prospective forward was Michael O'Mahony, now playing on the Dolphin senior side after good service to Bandon. Sean Dorney went on to play with Waterpark seniors but has now. thankfully, returned to the Bandon fold. Many of the rest of that team are still playing with Bandon at some level. A particular milestone for the club was that day in Dunmanway in the 75/76 season when the Bandon 'fourths' made their first appearance. On that day Bandon rugby club fielded four adult teams for the first time simultaneously. It was whilst playing at fourths level in his first year in rugby that I witnessed the most amazing drop goal of the decade by current Bandon junior player Anthony Desmond. It occurred almost from kick-off in the Tait Cup final against Old Christians at Midleton. That long range wind-assisted effort is still talked about by referee Breathnac who had understandable doubts before allowing the score. When later in the first half another Michael O'Mahony (whom we hope to welcome back to the club now that he has been appointed C.C. in nearby Innishannon) scored a fine try, Bandon seemed set for victory. However, Christians former junior centre, Ray Coughlan. proved otherwise in the second half.

 

Cultural Value.

As we now enter the club's second century, I hope the social side of rugby, which seems to be an integral part of the scene the world over, will not diminish. It is only when one travels to matches outside the country that one appreciates the exclusive Irishness of the game here. It is in such social gatherings that the Irish culture in music and, indeed, language seems to surface much stronger than in similar social gatherings at home. The Bandon club is lucky to be endowed with more than its share of 'characters'. People like Peter Crowley who somehow always seemed to turn the most normal event into a mini riot and Tom Fullam whose anecdotes usually begin with 'did you hear about the one', but few, if any, of which would be printable for public consumption. Then there is Niall O'Driscoll's long infatuation with his 'own ding-a-ling' or the obsession of the diminutive Johnny Killeen in 'downing big men'. The club also has its quota of perfect gentlemen from the evergreen Rex Lovell. to Tom Allen of the younger generation. Like all clubs it takes a relatively small number of a hard core of dedicated people to keep the ship afloat. Bandon club had been fortunate in the past decade in its choice of first team captains who probably have a larger responsibility in rugby than captains in most other field sports. Noel Hickey, Rex Lovell, Niall O'Driscoll, Ivan Shorten, Reg Roycroft, Tom Hickey, Eoin Keane, Des Prendergast and Finbarr Walsh have each contributed in his own way to a memorable decade.

 

Foresight.

Now, as we celebrate the largest development in the club's history with the opening of the club's new complex at Old Chapel on Sunday October 10th, we realise it would not be possible without the foresight of people like Derek Harte or Tony Neville who were largely responsible for purchasing the ground. The work of people like treasurer Niall O'Driscoll. Joe McLoughlin and Barry O'Farrell in fund raising activities, John Merwick our Hon. Secretary who had the unenviable task of compiling a history of the club spanning its one hundred years existence, and the general committee including Peadar O'Mahony, Kevin O'Brien, Dan Buckley, Sean Dorney, Barry O'Sullivan, Henry Skuse, Rex Lovell, Reg Roycroft, Donough -Coughlan, Ray Mullen, Ivan Shorten etc., who have been meeting without a break at least weekly for the past twelve months, have each provided the framework for the picture of Bandon rugby in its second century.

Underage

No sports organisation can survive without a firm foundation at underage level and here Bandon are lucky to have people like Donough Coughlan who has virtually dedicated his life to coaching Bandon juveniles in the basic rugby skills. Here, too, Anthony O'Regan, Aidan Donnelly, Dickson Walsh and, especially Ray Mullen and John Merwick, and others down the years have helped to put the club on a sound footing.

The Future.

And so, we commence the second century of Bandon Rugby Football Club under the presidency of John (Doc) O'Driscoll who was largely responsible for keeping the ship on course during darker days. The new clubhouse should provide a great social amenity for the clubs members who cover an area from Timoleague to Crossbarry and Coppeen to Riverstick. Can this be the season where Eoin Keane, who has given incomparable service to the club, can sufficiently motivate his charges to make the great breakthrough in the Munster Junior Cup? No player would be more deserving of the honour than the long playing and most dedicated centenary season club captain. Already Niall O'Driscoil's second string have ensured that the sideboard at Old Chapel will not be bare this season, when his nine-man squad of Declan Crowley, John O'Mahony, Michael Cronin, Tom O'Mahony, John Sheehan, Dermot O'Leary, P.J. O'Driscoll, Dickson Walsh and David Sullivan retained the Pfizer seven-a side trophy. However, the Junior Cup would be the crowning glory of a century which has already seen Bandon capture the Munster Senior Cup in 1886. It would also close on a dramatic note a decade in which I would been proud to have played some part at administrative level.

Peadar O'Mahony P.R.O. Bandon R.F.C. September '82.