The Bantry Blues GAA Club

Whats happening in the Club-

12th of July, 2001

Bantry Blues and Cork football legend Declan Barron literally "got a big lift" on Thursday night last, when he walked into The Badgers Bar to discover that a surprise birthday party had been organised to celebrate "the big Five-0". The unassuming star, who brought so much pleasure to so many in his hey-day, when, together with Donal Hunt, dubbed 'the terrible twins', they shattered so many opposing 'greats' with their football par excellence. Dec took it all in his stride, not one to be a real party animal himself.

Surrounded by family, friends, working colleagues at Whiddy Island, and well-wishers, he was the recipient of a Rynhart sculpture presented to him by Fr. Michael Kelleher, on behalf of Bantry Blues GAA. Local character Michael Wiseman, whose inimitable footballing commentary could cause serious job jeopardy to Ger Canning or Michael Lyster, had everyone rolling in the proverbial aisles, as he extolled Dec's GAA prowess with a velocity and eloquence akin to some of Barron's own greatest kicks ! Repartee, banter, and tales and reminiscences of scores and the famous Blues' midfielder's eagle-high soaring catches, entertained well into the night, making it memorable for all concerned

GAELSCOIL FOOTBALL 10th of June 2001

Gaelscoil Bheanntraí's boys' football team recently played in the final of their group of Sciath na Scol in Dunmanway. This was Gaelscoil Bheanntraí's first year participating in Sciath na Scol and it was a tremendous achievement to reach the final. Alas, the team was beaten, despite a valiant effort.

Team members during the league were, Pádraig Ó Dubhshláine, Diarmaid de Bhál, Stiofán Ó Cohláin, Seán Ó Níll, Seán de Barra, Dónal Ó Súilleabháin, Muiris de Buitiméir, Criostóir Ducker, Seán Ó Cathasaigh, Aodhán Ó Muirthile, Seosamh Ó Dúnadhaigh, Concubhair Mac Aonghusa, Diarmaid Ó Luinneacháin, Gearóid Ó Murchú, Peadar Ó Súillebháin, Piléb Tessyman, Donogh Ó Súilleabháin, Daithí Ó Dálaigh, Marc Ó Subhshláine, Tadhg Ó Dúnadhaigh. The Gaelscoil also fielded a girls' football team which took part in the INTO Mini-Sevens and Sciath na Scol (13-a-side) during the year.

Team members were, Sinéad Ní Dhunadhaigh, Róisín Ní Mhaolchathaigh, Deirdre Ní Chárghaigh, Síle Ní hUrdail, Lianne Ní Chárthaigh, Jerrí Ní Chróinín, Fibhlís Ní Shúilleabháin, Máire Ní Mhaoláin, Bríd Ní Laoghaire, Sighle Máire Ní Mhathúna, Linda Ní Dhúnadhaigh, Michelle Ní Chaoimh, Éimear Ní Laoghaire, Orianna Ní Sheaghdha.

BANTRY BLUES GAA NOTES - 11th of June , 2001 .At Clonakilty last Monday evening, Bantry Blues senior football team took on the the home team in the Kelleher Shield. Clon ran out close winners on the score 1-13 to 1-14. A number of very questionable referreeing decisions by the local réiteoir against the Blues throughout the game did not help the Bantry cause. The County Board should appoint neutral referees to take charge of all these games to avoid parochialism and controversy and it is their responsibility and theirs alone. However, Bantry had ample opportunities in the second half to win this game. They will need to up their game performance considerably if they expect to be serious contenders for this year's county title. They need to keep their discipline at all times.

On tomorrow (Friday) evening at Aughaville, Bantry Blues' junior footballers take on St. Colm's in the first round of the West Cork championship. Kick off is at 8 p.m. Mentors ask that all Bantry supporters come and support the Blues. Subject to confirmation, Bantry Blues play Castlehaven next Saturday at Wolfe Tone Park at 7.30 p.m. in the Kelleher Shield. Check locally for confirmation.

Lotto draw for £2,000 on June 11, 2001, not won. Numbers drawn 4 ,7, 16 ,18. Consolation prize winners: £100, Mary Joy, Ardnageehy, Bantry; £40, Eileen Murray, Ballylickey; £20, Joan Crowley, Snave; £20, Maura Venn, Seskin; £10, Pat Hurley, Church Road; £10, Tess O'Mahony, Barrack Road. New jackpot, £2,200, at Denis Lucey's Bar on June 25, 2001.

BANTRY BLUES GAA -17th of May, 2001.

Played 7, won 5, lost 2. This is the up to date record of the Bantry Blues senior footballer's progress in this year's Kelleher Shield. During the past couple of weeks the 'Blues' have been busy. On May 1, Bantry travelled to Ballyvourney to play the home side and won convincingly on the score Blues 1-12 Naomh Abhán 0-6. On May 5, Bantry played Castlehaven at Moneyvolihane. Again, the Blues were victorious on the score of 1-11 to Castlehaven 0-11. On Saturday night last, May 12, Bantry played host to Bishopstown at Wolfe Tone Park and ran out worthy winners on the score Bantry 1-10, Bishopstown 0-11. Next Saturday night at Skibbereen, the Blues continue on their Kelleher Shield campaign by playing O'Donovan Rossa. The Skibbereen side and Nemo Rangers are the only teams to have beaten Bantry in competition to date.

This game, in Skibbereen, will be a stiff task for the Blues, but Bantry are playing very good football at present and with a full team are capable of beating any team in the county. It is wonderful to see Eamon McCarthy and Padraig Regan back in the fold after a considerable absence through injury. Both are exceptional footballers with vast experience and are working on their fitness levels at present. Jeremy Canty has played in the last two games and his injury problem seems to have cleared up. He has played well in both games.

The Blues have not as yet fielded their best fifteen in the Kelleher Shield, through circumstances beyond the control of the players and mentors. Injury, inter-county duty and work commitments are the causes of absence. This however opens the door to players on the fringe to prove their ability to the selectors at this level. Great credit is due to all the players for their commitment and to Enda Ronan, Paddy Minihane and Mark Delaney for all the positive results so far this year.

One must not forget the 'unsung hero' of the squad, i.e. Dan O'Sullivan, who deals with the injuries as they arise on the field of play. "Danno" is a man of great commitment, dedication and expertise and has been a great servant to the Bantry football cause over the years. This column has been reliably informed by Bantry Senior mentor Paddy Minihane that Bantry were the first winners of the Kelleher Shield way back in 1913. Maybe it is time to bridge that gap?

Bantry Blues junior football team plays St. Mary's at Wolfe Tone Park on Friday night at 8 p.m. Bantry Blues U16 footballers played two league games recently. Against Gabriel Óg, they were trailing 1-6 to 0-2 at half-time. However a very spirited fight-back in the second half by the Blues found them on level terms at the finish on the score of Bantry 1-12, Gabriel Óg 1-12. Against Bandon in the next game, Bantry went on a goal scoring "blitz" as Donagh Hurley, Seamus O'Donovan and Keith Cotter each found the opponents' net. This paved the way for a comfortable and comprehensive Bantry win on the score Blues 3-10, Bandon 0-5.

Panel, Danny Murray, John O'Sullivan, Kevin Harrington, Kenneth Deane, Brian Andrews, Brian Keohane, David Keohane, Dermot O'Connell, Alex Hamilton, Mark Cronin, Joseph McCarthy, Colm McCarthy, Padraig Sheehan, Keith Cotter, Seamus O'Donovan, Donagh Hurley, Gerard O'Donovan, David Birnil, Paul O'Shea, Ray Minihane, Patrick Collins, Liam Lynch, Niall Williams. Team mentors are Paddy Clifford, Fr. Michael Kelleher and Kevin Healy.

Bantry Blues under 12 football team had a very good win recently in the league against Clonakilty on the score Bantry 3-11, Clonakilty 3-0. However, there was much disappointment for the players, mentors and supporters on Sunday evening last when the young Blues side made their exit from this year's championship. The game against Dohenys, was played at Drimoleague. Final score was Dohenys 2-8, Blues 0-7.

Bantry did not deserve to lose by this margin as the Doheny keeper had an inspired game between the uprights. He deprived the Blues time and time again. However, overall, the Doheny team were the masters of this game, and many of the Blues' prominent players did not sparkle. Under-age training is at Wolfe Tone Park. U10 and U12 every Saturday at 3 p.m. U12 football also every Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. St. Goban's College, Bantry, deserve all the accolades for their great victory in the final of the Cork under 14 schools' football championship recently. They took on Charleville in the final and ran out worthy winners on the score of St. Gobans 3-5, Charleville 3-3. Club lotto news, jackpot figure of £3,000 was not won on May 14. Numbers drawn were 8, 14, 25 and 27. Consolation prize winners were: Mary Harrington, Adrigole; Mary O'Sullivan, Gortnascreena; Noreen Casey, Newtown; Bernie Coughlan, Dunbeacon; Patrick Edwards, O'Donovan's Hill; and Martina Connolly, Reenrour East. Next draw will be on May 28 at The Snug Bar. The jackpot figure is £3,200.

BANTRY BLUES GAA 23rd of April, 2001.-

A wonderful fight-back in the second-half booked Bantry Blues their passage into the third round of the T.S.B. football championship at Ovens recently. After a very indifferent and disappointing first half display against Aghada the 'Blues' arose from the ashes to play great direct football in the second half to eclipse Aghada's first half superiority and run out deserving winners at the finish on the score, Blues 2-10, Aghada 0-12.

Bantry's first half display was ragged and mistake-ridden. The back line was "at sixes and sevens" and outplayed by the Aghada forward line, who were much faster to the ball. Had the Aghada forward line availed of all their first half scoring opportunities, Bantry would have had a much higher mountain to climb in the second half. However, to their credit, the 'Blues' got their act together in the second-half and the rest is history. The retirement of Bantry centrefield player Jeremy Canty through injury was a severe blow to the Blues, midway through the first half. A player of his stature was indeed a great loss to the Bantry cause so early in the game.

At the interval, Bantry trailed by 0-8 to 0-2 and the Blues' supporters were given very little to cheer about up to then. Whatever was said in the dressing-room at half-time had the desired effect and Bantry took the initiative straight away in the second half. Damian O'Neill and Graham Canty at midfield and Philip Clifford at full-forward "shone like beacons" also Sean (Macker) McCarthy at centre-forward. They lifted the team with great displays.

Damien O'Neill, when he got possession at midfield through immaculate fielding, was always looking to use the ball intelligently. He rained in high accurate balls to Clifford who won possession, scored two great goals and was unlucky when another shot on goal was diverted over the bar by the Aghada keeper. O'Neill and Clifford were a class act and played major roles in this great win. They seem to have a wonderful football understanding between them. Graham Canty also had a massive game at midfield. The Bantry back line upped their game in the second half. Andy O'Shea played very well when he was moved into a more central role at centre-back. He looked much more at home here and this is his best position.

Other backs to shine in the second half were Timmy O'Mahony, Niall Twomey and Gerdi Barry. Mark O'Connor has had better games in the blue jersey, but he will bounce back. He is still a great player. Des McAuley dealt effectively with everything that came his way. Sean McCarthy had a very good game in his new position, i.e. centre-forward. He scored four great points from play and was always dangerous when he got within striking distance of the posts.

Alas, Bantry's "Achilles' heel", indiscipline erupted towards the end of the game. Two players were sent off which left the 'Blues' with thirteen men. If the events that happened occured earlier in the second half, it could have had a telling effect on the final result. Players who lose control and get involved to this extent, should realise that it is the team that will suffer afterwards, as a result of such actions as these indiscretions could have been avoided. However, it was not a dirty game overall and some great football was played.

Under-21 At Dunmanway on April 17 Bantry Blues under-21 team played Newcestown in the second round of the championship. Newcestown were the victors on the score of 1-9 to 0-10 in a game that was there for the taking for Bantry. However, they failed to take their chances up front and bowed out of this years championship as a result. Bantry Blues GAA lotto draw on April 17 for a jackpot of £2,600 produced no outright winner.

Numbers drawn were 11, 22, 23 and 27. Consolation prizes were won by: Helen Connolly, Gortroe; John McCarthy, Slip Grove; Michael Wiseman, Caher; Bart O'Leary, Ballingeary; M.J. McCarthy, Drimoleague; and Ruth Levis, Ballydehob. Next draw is on April 30, at the Bantry Bay Hotel for a jackpot of £2,800.

Graham Canty was captain of the victorious Cork under-21 football team, who became Munster champions last Saturday by beating champions Limerick at Kilmallock. It was a wonderful honour for the player and he repaid this by playing a true captain's part in the victory with an outstanding display. His brothers, Jeremy and Niall, are also prominent playing members in the 'Bantry Blues' club. Jeremy plays for the senior team and Niall plays with the under-21 team.

TO DISCUSS £3,000 PAYMENT - Bantry Town Commissioners are to set up a sub-committee to meet with Bantry Blues GAA to discuss the annual £3,000 payment which has now fallen due. The commissioners said it was "a condition of the sale" of the local authority-owned site to the GAA that £3,000 would be paid each and every year for twenty years. The contribution was supposed to be used to offset annual insurance premiums for the playground that was developed adjacent to the GAA grounds. The sub-committee was proposed after some members of the commissioners complained that two members of Bantry Town Commissioners attended a GAA meeting without authorisation. But it was with the knowledge of the chairman, Mr. Sean Baker, and other commissioners, that Mr. Thomas Barry and Mr. Eugene Cronin attended the GAA meeting. Mr. Barry said he thought it important to "open the lines of communication" with the GAA about the annual allocation and the feelings of the town commissioners. During the discussion, Mr. Thomas O'Donoghue said the matter was very straightforward. "They owe us money", he said, "and they should be here telling us why they won't pay". There was a heated discussion, but it concluded when Mr. John Connolly suggested that they set up "a good working meeting between the GAA and the commissioners". The matter arose when the GAA wrote to Mr. Deasy asking for the annual contribution to be waived. At that time, Mr. Deasy indicated that he would have no objection in principle to the Town Commissioners agreeing to this. He pointed out that the Town Commissioners had not suffered any increase in public liability insurance because of the opening of the playground.