The Forties and Fifties

As the second World War was drawing to a close a group of young local sportsmen set about reviving the club. Pat O'Driscoll, "The Retreat", describes the occasion: -

"The rugby clubs revival started in the early spring of 1946. The International Match Broadcasts which had been suspended during the war became a source of tremendous public interest. Scotland were beaten by Ireland that year and in a wave of National pride I bought a rugby ball and we started to play 5, 6 and 7-a-side matches on the bottom of the Field between the Bog Fields and the Square Road leading out to the Laurel Walk just below the entrance avenue to "The Retreat".

The players then were Jerry Walsh of the Town Park, Dermot Marnell, whose father was a Manager in Slatterys Garage, Michael Staunton the Garda Superintendent's son, Barry Walsh. Kilbrogan [fill, the late Con Deasy, Anthony Cremin of Coolmain, Andy Coursey. Convent Hill, John O'Driscoll M.R.C.V.S. Kilbrogan Hill and myself Pat O'Driscoll Paddy Donegan from Sunview played occasionally as did Keith Hunt and Mickey O'Hea". "On Good Friday of 1946 we arranged our first 15-a-side match and it was played in Donegans lawn in Callatrim". "We then arranged a match against a team in Bantry, who, like ourselves, were only in the process of forming a club" .

Apprehended

John "Doc" O'Driscoll, President of the club, has vivid memories of the trip to Bantry: - "There was great excitement in picking a team and getting transport. Eventually transport was 'arranged and the players were told to turn up at Allen Square. We were truly amazed when our transport arrived. It was a tip-up truck that had been used for spreading stones the day before for the County Council. In the lorry for our convenience were two long forms which we had to sit on and all fifteen players had to lean together to keep their balance. The route to Bantry and return journey were the extraordinary part of the trip as the lorry driver took every back road possible to reach Bantry and our return journey to Bandon was over mountainous roads that took us nearly into Ballyvourney. The reason for all this was that it was illegal to carry passengers. The unfortunate man had a clear run to Bantry but. on the return trip, despite his evasive action, he was not so successful as he was apprehended by the police on three occasions.

When we arrived in Bantry some of the players decided they needed refreshments. Two of the heavy drinkers (mineral) of the team, Paddy Donegan and myself, arrived back to find the lorry had gone. We requested directions to the football pitch and ran the quarter of a mile to same only to find it was to the G.A.A. pitch we had been directed. A new set of directions were quickly obtained and we eventually got to the rugby grounds just in time for the kick-off.

The Bantry pack were heavier and taller by stones and inches than their Bandon counterparts. I played my first game of rugby that day at lock forward and my recollection of each scrum was a nightmare as we were pushed all over the place. A comment of mine that has been handed down was, "do not worry lads the ditch A ill stop us". The score at this match was nil all.

Bandon: J. O'Hea, D. Donegan, D. Poland, P. Whelan, M. O'Hea, J. Walsh, P. Donegan. M. Staunton. B. O'Keeffe, T. J. O'Brien, L. O'Brien, D. O'Brien, J. O'Driscoll. 1). D. Harrington, A. N. Other.

The Demon Drink.

"After the game we were entertained by Bantry. We arranged a series of friendly matches throughout the season. A feature of these games that has since died away was a post-match meal. We really looked forward to travelling to play Highfield as we used to be entertained at the Imperial Hotel and then be invited to their dance which was the "in-piece" at the time".

"For the trip to Bantry 5 shillings was collected from each player to pay tile lorry driver. Some of the older players had collected the money, who they were I can't remember. A few rounds of drink were bought while the younger members were sent for minerals. On the return trip we were advised that when the lorry stopped at the Allen Square we should make our way quickly from the lorry as some of the money that had been collected had been spent. So instead of getting around £ 5 the unfortunate man only got something in the nature of two pounds".

"The return match with Bantry was played in the Macroom Road pitch which was leased for seven months for a fee of £10 W. T. Kingston, Laragh, supplied the uprights- sawdust was used to line the pitch and, as there were no crossbars erected on the day of the match, Johnny Maher improvised with ropes. Hubert Hackett kicked a penalty for Bandon which was the only score of the game.

Pat O'Driscoll recalls the team. "Front row: William O'Keeffe, Kilbrogan Hill, recently deceased, myself, Pat O'Driscoll hooker, Michael Burke, Kilbrogan Hill, who subsequently died in Bondi Beach, Australia as a result of a shark attack. Second row: Edward O'Driscoll. The Retreat A Hubert Hackett, Bank of Ireland, Clonakilty. Back row: Johnny O'Hea, Liam O'Brien, North Main St., and Mickey O'Hea. Half backs: Jerry Walsh and Paddy Donegan. Threequarters: Peter Foley, Knockbrogan Tce.. Joe Collins, now in Bantry, D. D. Harrington and full back Jerry Williams. The match was refereed by the late Sean Murphy, District Court Clerk".

New Laws

"Some early players who joined us and who had never played rugby before were Connie Renzie O'Mahony, T. J. O'Brien, Liam O'Brien, Gordon Beazile, Crossbarry, Donal Murphy, Mishells and Edward O'Driscoll, Manor House". Their knowledge of the game was gleamed from the radio commentaries and newspaper reports and in the earlier games the players lined out G.A.A. fashion, each man marking an opponent; the forwards in the opposition half and the backs in their own. The laws of the game pose enough difficulties for the experienced player but, in these games, the confusion can only have been diabolical. Another source of consternation was Judge Crotty's insistance in standing beside the goal posts which was his accustomed position at Gaelic matches.

The training and coaching of the team was then taken over by John Desmond, Kilbeg and there was a marked improvement in the teams performance 'At that time, in view of the difficulty in getting players locally who had any experience of rugby, outsiders had to be called on' continues Pat O'Driscoll. 'In addition to Rubert Hackett, already mentioned, we had Norman Moore, Bank of Ireland, Dunmanway, Michael O'Donovan, The Dock, Kinsale, Raymond Murphy, Castleview, Macroom. O'Leary, Macroom, Donal Lehane, Lissarda, who had won three Munster Senior Medals playing with Constitution, D.D. and Jim 'Bingo' Collins, Cork. Cal McCarthy, Cork, Peter O'Regan, Crookstown and Finbarr Kelleher, Kilmurry.

The only local players that we were able to get who had achieved senior status were Jack O'Regan, South Main St.. Michael Walsh, Town Park, Ken Hunt, Bank of Ireland, Bandon and we did, indeed, on two occasions, succeed in getting Cecil O'Driscoll who had been a prominent member of an earlier Bandon team and who played for Munster.

D.D. Harrington was another link that we had with a former team as a player. The Banks usually provided us with at least one-player - Jack Healy was a winger, Robin Wilson an out-half and Michael Meaney a wing-forward. Peter Nutting of Scartnamuck played in the second row and we had Ludlow Sealy-King of Harbour View as a wing-forward.

A Debacle

Bandon were ill prepared for their first competitive match of the 1949-50 season, an O'Neill Cup tie which was won by Cobh Pirates. There followed intense preparation for the County Cup campaign culminating in a fine 16 points to 8 victory against Dolphin at home. Bandon were drawn against Bantry in the first round of the cup and this was a 'bloodthirsty' affair in earnest. Encouraged by a boisterous home following the Bantry team were prepared to stop at nothing to achieve victory.

Seven Bandon players sustained fractures in this appalling debacle. The game ended in a 3 all draw, and the return match also ended in a draw, the referee failing to play extra time due to the fact that he did not know it was a replay. The matter was settled in Musgrave Park with Bandon going into the next round against Cobh on a 6-3 scoreline. Bandon avenged their dismal defeat in the O'Neill Cup some months previously with a solid 11 points to nil win.

Bandon met Charleville in the final in Musgrave Park on Sunday 13th March 1950 and at half-time both sides were tied at one try each; Sean O'Donovan had nipped in for a Bandon try following a scrum. Bandons second half performance was outstanding. 'The heavier Bandon eight gave them superiority in the tight. The effect of this, however, was not noticeable until a reshuffle of the backs and better conditions made handling possible. Shortly after the start of the second half, H. Hackett kicked a penalty' J. Walsh and S. Donovan had their trys near the end.

For the winners, H. Hackett, both at wing forward and scrum half was outstanding while S. O'Donovan and C. Lehane were most prominent amongst the backs and J. Collins, K. Hunt and D. Harrington in the pack were to the fore. (Cork Examiner 14th March, 1950). Bandon:- C. Lehane, D. Murphy, C. McCarthy, M. O'Donovan, D. Collins, J. Walsh, S. O'Donovan, C. 0' Mahony, R. Murphy, T. J.O'Brien, E. O'Driscoll, J. Cohns, H. Hackett, K. Hunt, D. D. Harrington.

Raw Eggs

An accomplished place-kicker and a fearless loose forward, Hubert Hackett was Bandons most outstanding player at this time. He was employed as bank clerk in Clonakilty and later played senior rugby with Constitution and Landsdowne. His favourite post-match beverage was three or four raw eggs beaten into a glass of milk after which he would cycle to Inchydoney for a swim.

Jerry Walsh hailed from the 'Town Park' and Michael, his brother, who won a Senior Cup medal with Bohemians, played a few seasons with Bandon. Sean O'Donovan, Maulbrack, was a prolific try scorer and a tenacious centre; qualities which he has passed on to his son Donal, the current Junior team centre. The next season, 1950-51, Bandon reached the final of the ONeill Cup but were deprived of victory by Charleville on a 6 nil scoreline.

Illegal Guests

An incident, indicitative of the cavalier attitude of the young rugby player then as now, occurred earlier that year. Bantry were playing their first round of the Junior Cup against Sunday's Well and, realising the odds were against them, they decided to tip the balance in their favour by drafting in some players from another club contrary to rugby dictum. They found an amenable ally in T. J. O'Brien, the Bandon Captain, who recruited another bonvivant, Renzie O'Mahony, who was the Vice-Captain. The 'guests' excelled in the raw but powerful Bantry pack and T. J., who was propping, revelled in the earthy style of play that Bantry engaged in.

In a moment of frenzied euphoria as the 'Well' pack were being driven abjectly backwards, T. J. bellowed, 'C'mon Bandon, we'll run 'em into the mud'. Now to the casual onlooker biding his time for the pavilion to reopen, this faux-pas might well go unheeded but, to the poor unfortunate who was suffering the brunt of T. J.'s aggression, the cry, 'Bandon' was crystal clear as it was delivered from no more than an inch from his ear.

The game was up for our intrepid duo and the matter was referred to the Branch. The Bandon club were severely censured and an extraordinary general meeting was called. T. J. and Renzie were relieved of their posts and suspended for a fortnight. However, the club was never one to bear a grudge for long, for at the self same meeting the Hon. Secretary, Edward O'Driscoll, was instructed to do all in his power to reinstate both players for the forthcoming Minor Cup game. Donal Murphy, Mishells, was elected Captain and Con Lehane, Vice-Captain.

Extra Time

The 1951-52 season was most successful one for Bandon, for in that year both County Junior Cups were won. Bandon defeated Naval Services in each of the semi-finals, at home in the County Cup competition and in Spike Island to the O'Neill Cup. Mallow were beaten 9-3 in the ONeill Cup final in Musgrave Park but, in the County Cup final also against Mallow, the issue was not as easily decided. Bandon snatched an early lead when a smart heel from an early ruck and snappy handling by their backs saw Michael Walsh cross for an unconverted try. Then, seven minutes from time, when Bandon heeled a scrum on their own line. B. Cussen. Mallow, dived over for a try. Extra time was played but it faded to decide the contest.

The rugby season had been extended by one week to provide time to play this game but. as no further extension was forthcoming, the laurels were shared. Bandon:- D. F. Kelleher, C. Lehane, P.D. O'Regan, M. Walsh, S. O'Donovan, R. Wilson, P. O'Driscoll, M. Meaney, E. O'Driscoll, T. J. O'Brien, C, O'Mahony. J. -N. Collins, B. Walsh, P. Donegan (Capt.) D. Lehane.

A striking feature of the Bandon team was the size of its pack. Edward O'Driscoll. The Retreat, in the hooking position, must surely have been amongst the biggest ever called upon to fill that slot, the usual bastion of the diminutive and lithe. However, he accounted well for himself, as can, be seen from the match reports, both as a striker and a line out player. Jim Collins, Southern Fruit Co., and Renzie O'Mahony were reliable ball winners out of touch and the back row of D. D. Harrington, who was injured for the final, Donegan and Barry Walshe, Kilbrogan Hill, completed a devastating forward line up. Pat O'Driscoll was a very complete footballer and he played at full-back as well as at scrum-half.

Robin Wilson and Michael Meaney, the Club Honorary Secretary for many years, were Bankers, D. F. Kelleher, Kilmurry, Peter O'Regan, Crookstown and Donal Lehane, Lissarda, played for other Clubs but were eligible to play as they resided within fifteen miles of the town. Con Lehane, Kilbrogan Hill, a fleetfooted winger and a resolute tackler, was later to captain the club in 1955-56. That same season Bandon had a good run in the Minor Cup but were narrowly beaten 6-3 by Constitution who had to stave off a tremendous effort by Bandon in the second half. T. Murphy kicked two penalties for Constitution while Pat O'Driscoll kicked a penalty for Bandon in the second half.

The Dixies

On the social side the club certainly wasn't lacking. As mentioned earlier every visiting team was entertained and a 'meat tea' was provided. The first club dance was held on January 3rd 1951 in the Devonshire Arms Hotel and these dances became an annual event. Following the O'Neill and County Cup victories in 1952 a dance was held in the Esplanade Hotel, Courtmacsherry, at which Minatures of the O'Neill Cup were presented to members of the team. These mid-summer dances also became a feature of the clubs social calendar and later the venue was changed to Inchydoney at which the famous Dixielanders made their debut at an R.F.C. dance.

This might well. explain the current trend of our 'with-it' members who nightly journey to a coastal watering hole in summer time to fraternise with their Templehill counterparts. On the 28th January, 1954 the club undertook a joint venture with the Tennis Club. A dance was arranged with no less than two bands providing the music, The Regal and Tommy Power and his bank. The dance was a financial flop and the club records divides the blame between 'the exceptionally bad weather and the attitude of another local sporting body which would not allow some of its members, who are also members of the Tennis Club to attend'.

Jack Deasy, Curryclogh, who was Honorary Secretary in 1957, was instructed to engage a popular band for a fund-raising dance in the Town Han. Hugh Dunphy and his band were booked to play. The dance was poorly supported and the hall was practically empty. When the band got up to play the club members were appalled to find he had brought along a full orchestra. Having paid for the customary round of sandwiches and drink for the 'band' nothing remained in the coffers to pay the entertainers. At the next meeting the suggestion that a further fund-raising dance should be held to provide for the expenses of the fund-raising dance was understandably defeated. Shortly after this the Annual Dress Dance on St. Stephens Night was instituted and so popular was this function that in latter years four sittings hand to be arranged to provide for the attendance.

Nutting

The structure of administrating the club which was set up in 1949 helped in no small way in ensuring the clubs survival through some lean times in the '50's. Ed. Shanahan, was a very able administrator who kept many a wayward member on the straight and narrow. As is traditional in Bandon the President of the club I was required to play a very active role during his office and there was none more efficient than Ernie Whealer. There were many dedicated Captains during this period, Paddy Whelan, Edward O'Driscoll, Denis Donegan, John Doyle and Tom Canniffe.

Bandon had many colourful alicadoos but one outstrips all others for sheer brilliance in this noble rugby art form. The mention of his name will bring a glimmer to the most sullen eye. The circumstances surrounding Peter Nutting's arrival in town is described by Grattan Neville: 'His correct name was Peter Cockswell and, in order to inherit a big legacy from his maiden aunt, he had to change his name to that of her family which was Nutting. The legacy became his if, after so many years, he was neither bankrupt nor in jail and that is the reason he came here. He later moved to Clonakilty when things got too hot for him in Bandon. When he eventually came into the legacy he paid off all his debts and he went abroad with a helicopter spraying crops'.

With an imposing frame and an artistocratic accent he first joined Constitution where he talked his way onto the senior team for a brief few games. This gave rise to the pun which for years was used in defence of a useless in Templehill, 'well I suppose he's better than Nutting'.

Foul Fowl

Circumstances were particularly bad on one occasion when Peter invited the Hon. Secretary, Con O'Donovan, Enniskeane, to dine at his residence in Scartnamuck. Con got stuck into this fine feed that was put up in front of him. About half-way through the meal Con remarked, 'Peter, this is grand stuff. What is it? I To which Nutting replied 'That is my favourite too, Con; that is rook pie', whereupon Con immediately jumped up from the table and inquired the way to the bathroom. Nutting was instrumental in organising Bandons first tour to play Old Wesley in Dublin on March, 10th 1956. Bandon were narrowly beaten 3-0 and the entire team stayed in one flat procured by Con O'Donovan.

The next season 1955-56 Bandon and Skibbereen met in the County Semi-final in Bandon and, typical of the many closely fought encounters with our arch rivals, the game ended in a draw, nil all; In the replay in Skibbereen the home side got through on a 6-3 scoreline.

Bandon: P. Buckley, J. Phelan, A. Neville, M. Donegan, D. Coughlan, P. Whelan, T. Canniffe, J. Doyle, J. McGrath, D. Donegan, J. Daly, B. O'Donovan, B. Walshe, P. Connor, L.O'Brien.

Canniffe The Schemer

The late '50's were rather lean years if judged by cup successes. It was a period of team building and membership grew sufficiently to enable the club to put out a minor, or underage team, in 1954. This astute move on the clubs part ensured a supply of reliable players, many of whom served the club very well over the years. Tommy Canniffe, Fox's Street, was the scrum half par excellence and many a mediocre fly-half was made to look good on the service this dynamic man provided. In later years he concocted a win for Bandon against a glib city side by the most unusual expedient seen on a rugby pitch. Bandon were having the better of things but were unable to score from play. They tried many ploys from which they hoped to force the opposition into conceding a kickable penalty but all to no avail. Then as the game was drawing to a close Canniffe, from the base of a scrum, whipped out a stray pass which the backs failed to catch. The opposition stormed up to boot the ball to safety only to find, to their consternation, that what they thought was the ball was, in fact, a dried cow turd. The ball was safely nestling at the No. 8's foot and Bandon scored from the result penalty.

Donough Coughlan also started with the minor team of '54 and crowned a brilliant rugby playing career, during which he played on successful County Cup and O'Neill Cup winning teams, by propping in the minor side that won the Minor League in 1972, 18 years later.

Taffies

The highlight of the rugby season then was the Easter Weekend games against the touring sides. Known as the Welcome Wales Week' many Welsh rugby teams availed of the cheap rates offered in this tourist promotion. Ogmore Vale were frequent visitors and, although each tour was greeted apprehensively by the towns hoteliers for good reasons, they afforded Bandon the opportunity to learn and play top class rugby and afterwards relax, socialise in a convivial rugby atmosphere at the dinner held in their honour.

Briton Ferry, a particularly destructive breed, whose mementos of Bandon included a complete bathroom suite, toured in 1955. Bandon invited a number of Internationals to play in the game and, afterwards, a 'grand dance' was held in the Devonshire Arms at which Dodo Downing's Quartet supplied the entertainment.

Bandon: C. Lehane, D. Coughlan, M. Donegan (U.C.C.) J. Phelan, T. Canniffe, D. Barry (Munster and Constitution) B. Walsh (Sunday's Well) T. O'Sullivan, D. Crowley (Ireland and Constitution) L. O'Brien, P. Nutting (London Irish and Constitution) S. O'Dea (Constitution) P. Whelan, M. Madden (Ireland and Sunday's Well) B. Wain (U.C.C.)

Lam O'Brien of North Main Street, gave trojan service to the Club both as a propforward and Committee member throughout the fifties and early sixties. Having forgotten his shin guards at one game Liam improvised by stuffing the Sunday newspapers inside his socks and, although they may have appeared ungainly, they proved very effective.

Doctor Tom Neville, the old Munster forward, was another great administrator in the fifties. He investigated the possibility of insuring the club's rugby teams - a discerning provision unheard of at the time, but which has recently been made compulsory for all clubs by the I.R.F.U. A local wit suggested that the reason for the high premiums was due to the fact that his sons, Anthony and Grattan were playing at that time. A story which adds credence to this observation happened in 1960 when Grattan was the Club Captain and Tony was refereeing the game. Grattan was playing in the back row of the scrum and, despite the pleas of his backs, he refused to let the ball out of the scrum. As Grattan deftly dribbled the ball at his feet, Tony launched his boot at his exposed posterior and ordered him to let out the ball. Grattan retaliated and was promptly sent off.

In the early sixties there were eight country clubs competing in Junior Competition: Mallow, Cobh, Bandon and Skibbereen in Cork, Tralee, Killarney and Castleisland in Kerry and Abbeyfeale. An away match to any of the latter constituted a days journey and sometimes more. John Doyle recalls a game in Castleisland: 'Castleisland were only. starting at the time when we met them in the County Cup in Castleisland. We went out on the pitch thinking it would be a soft one for Bandon. When they came on the pitch three of them had no boots on, just socks. The forwards were wearing ordinary berets with a big elastic tying them around their chins as scrum caps. I need not tell you our hopes rose even further when we saw this outfit. In the first scrum there was a shout, 'Squeeze Castleisland', and we were shoved half-ways back the field. One of the players: without the boots, kicked penalties from near the half-way line. We were beaten 16-3. When we arrived back at the pub in which we changed there was no water and we had to buy flagons of cider to wash outselves'.