Bandon GAA AGM

Don Desmond Runai presented another comprehensive report of the playing fortunes of our teams at the Bandon GAA AGM held in the Pavilion last Friday night.

The past year was again very successful, the highlights being the great run in the Senior Hurling Championship and the Premier Intermediate Football Championship.  Bandon won the Final of the Division 4 Football League over Castletownbere and have been promoted to Division 3.  The Junior B Football Team won Division 5 in the South West Carbery/Beara League and have been promoted to Division 4, the Under 21 B Footballers put in a brave fight in their divisional final against Kilmacabea whilst the Under 21 Hurlers were defeated by Kilbree in their championship encounter in August.

Bandon made a brilliant impact in their first year back up Senior Hurling since 1980. They had 4 victories over seasoned opponents and lost another after extra time before losing out to a very good Na Piarsaigh side in the quarter-final.  The future looks bright for this team and their coaching team of Niall O’Halloran, Don McCarthy, Paddy Cahalane and Chris Bonar were praised for moulding such a good side in the past few years.

The Premier Intermediate Footballers had a successful year, winning their league and reaching the county semi-final before bowing out to the eventual winners Mallow.  This team won 8 of their 9 contested league games, only losing to Glenville and were promoted to Division 3.  They won 3 of their 5 championship games losing out to Ballingeary in the opening round and Mallow in the county semi-final.  David O’Donovan, Niall Connor, Jimmy Gabriel, Derek O’Driscoll and Kevin McCarthy Jnr put in a huge effort with this team and winning Division 4 was just reward for their effort.

Niall O’Rourke, Joe Burke, Donnacha Burke, Anthony Nyhan and James Milner were thanked for their efforts with the Junior A Hurlers and the Under 21 A hurlers and whereas success eluded them this time it was not without a great effort by all involved.

Promotion to Division 4 of the football League was good reward for the Junior B Footballers after they received a walk-over from Ballinascarthy in the final that was to be played on the 2^ndDecember.  Don thanked the management team of Ciaran O’Driscoll, Jimmy Gabriel, Neilus McCarthy and Niall Connor.

Finally, Frank Lyons, Ciaran O’Driscoll, Garret Daly and Louise O’Regan left no stone unturned in their efforts to win the Under 21 B Football championship and after a facile victory over Clann na nGael in the semi-final they were beaten by a Kilmacabea side in a classic final at Ballinascarthy.

Alas, whilst the eagerly awaited Puc Fada/Skills Competition fell victim to the poor weather on both St Stephens Day and New Year’s Eve, it is hoped that no such issues will arise on this Friday night at 7pm at the Pavilion where the many Under 5 to Under 11 Teams will be presented with their Participation Medals.

Stephen Murphy

PRO