The Bantry Blues GAA Club

Build up to the County Final, 2001

Gradually they appear, cropping up in the most unusual of places.

Their presence testament to the tumultuous efforts of an elite few, upon whose shoulders the hopes of thousands are carried. From shops,schools,street corners and roads they stand out, flowing implacably in the September sun. Blue and white flags. County final fever has slowly but firmly, captivated the imaginations of Bantrys people.

Walking through this special corner of West Cork on a Sunday evening, is an almost surreal experience. Flags fly, banners rest and posters hang from the towns windows and doors, resplendent in the pale sun. Excited chatter emanating from pubs, fills the air as people look ahead to Sundays game. The days All Ireland final helping to whet the insatiable appetites of a town steeped in a rich history of GAA activity. Nemo may well start as favorites, but the mood seems to be one of quite confidence.

The bus companies are being inundated with calls from people as varied as the weather, yet bonded by their desired destination: Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Previously naked teddy bears are being fitted with jerseys, scarves and hats, their modesty covered for what's been a regular outing over the past half decade. Bantry is certainly proud of its sons, but perhaps in the hysteria, its not unforgivable to forget the enormity of the achievements of this current Bantry side. Six years, three county finals for a club whose best players in years gone by, had to be farmed out to Carbery, to experience senior football.

Personally, I've only come into contact with this remarkable team very recently and my peripheral involvement stretches to third choice goalkeeper at best. However, in that length of time, its become swiftly apparent why they have tasted so much success. For, while they may only comprise of twenty to twenty five, local men, their efforts are in sync with the mentality of the thousands, whose town they share. They encompass the close, supportive attitude of the community as a whole: all for one and one for all.

When the eulogies of this team are read out in the coming years and its players will join the masses, as supporters, a marker will be set high in the hills, for its successors to follow. It is clear that if Nemo Rangers are to overcome Bantry they will have to do so, by taking on fifteen players, who will fight as one. Behind them in the terraces and stands, will be the thousands whose efforts have transformed Bantry into a sea of blue and white, over recent days. Their cheers, critically, will cry as one voice.

For sure, Nemo are capable of ending their dreams. To dwell on the roll call of illustrious names associated with the great club, would be to fill this page. Cork football, as a whole, has benefited hugely from these men and it must be noted that if Nemo are to emerge unscathed, from Sundays encounter, they would surely be amongst the favorites to line out at Croker next Patrick's day. I wonder however, does their large portion of Cork city, share the closely knit qualities of our own historical town.

It must be something in the air for I cant help feeling surreal again, as in the distance Bantry Bay glistens in an unusual mid Autumns manner. Strange, for as I look out into the horizon, as the seagulls screech, the two most predominant colours are still, blue and white.

by Aidan Power.