South Munster U15 Cadets

Saturday 21st April 2012
Venue: Skibbereen Rugby Ground,  Skibbereen

South Munster U15 Cadets 19 - Newbridge Town 17

On a bright and breezy morning at Skibbereen Rugby ground, the Munster West Cork U15’s Cadets took on a fine lively Newbridge Town team in a friendly game at 11 O’Clock.

            There was a strong Bantry, Glengarriff & Beara representation on the squad: Dylan Murphy, Sean McCarthy, Kieran O’Sullivan, Cillian O’Sullivan, Fineen Wycherly, Kevin Holland, Ian Hurley, Michael Casey, Shane Kievers, Phil Walters & Owen McIlhenny.Kieran O’Sullivan and Cillian O’Sullivan scored trys, Sean McCarthy kicked a convert.This was a really good encounter with end to end rugby. The West Cork forwards with Kevin Holland, Ian Hurley, Michael Casey and Dylan Murphy, to the fore, were stronger in the scrums and line out.

            The Newbridge side had some really classy backs and every time they got the ball they ran it, it was nip and tuck all the way and Cillian O’Sullivan got the vital try to seal victory for West Cork in a really top class game.Newbridge Town were staying locally in the Westlodge Hotel with their families. They were second in the Leinster league and five of their team are on the Leinster Cadets. We will certainly hear more of many of their players in the future.

The U15 South Munster Cup Final

Sunday 15th April 2012

Venue: Presentation College Grounds, Wilton, Cork

Bantry Bay 15 - Skibbereen 22

Played in bright sunshine, with a strong breeze blowing down the pitch, this was a game that both sides were looking forward to. Bantry Bay’s preparations were disrupted through injuries to players in the week before the match; three in all were unable to make it in time as a result of injuries.

            From the kick off, both sides showed cup final nerves, with Skibbereen settling quicker. They took their chances as Bantry Bay were slow to get into their rhythm, so after twenty minutes, Skibbereen led by 12 – 0, two tries and a fine conversion from the corner from the Skibbereen side. Bantry Bay then got into their stride and finished the half stronger, scoring a fine try after a very good build up from forwards and backs.

            Bantry’s first try came from close in driving at the Skibb line, Dylan Murphy driving in as he has done all year for Bantry Bay’s opening try. Bad luck struck again as Tadg McCarthy had to withdraw with a back injury. Bantry missed a penalty to further close the gap, so it was 12 – 5 at half time. Two very evenly matched teams playing very good rugby.

            Right after half time some great running by Mike Casey set Cillian O’Sullivan up for a breathtaking try outfacing the Skibb defence to score in the corner. Bantry stormed into the second half and, after some great running and driving, they made the score 12 – 10. Skibbereen replied with a well taken score to make it 19 – 10. Bantry narrowly failed to score another try when the ball went loose right on the goal line.

            Ian Murphy then got in to make the score 19 – 15 to set up an all action finish to the game. Skibb replied with a penalty to see out the game. The game was then poised for a cracking finish and indeed these two teams turned in a rousing finish, both sides flat out great quality play. Finally Skibbereen kicked a penalty to win out at 22 – 15.

            Bantry Bay U15’s can be proud of their season. Injuries with involved switching their front row, back row and centres meant that players had to play out of position and a Skibb intervention minutes before the start also disrupted game plans.Having said all that, this is the first Bantry team (fifteen aside) to make a South Munster Final and with ten on the special South Munster training side, there is a bright future ahead for this squad.

            I usually name some players who were exceptional on the day, but this time I just want to pay tribute to a squad who delighted us all season and only narrowly missed crowning the year with a trophy.

Team:

Joe Doyle, Kieran O’Sullivan, Dylan Murphy, Kevin Holland, Fineen Wycherly, Tadg McCarthy, Ian Hurley, Owen McIlhenny, Sean McCarthy, Philip O’Shea, Shane Shannon, Phil Walters, Cillian O’Sullivan, Thomas O’Donovan, Fergal O’Sullivan, Tristan Coakley, Shane Harrington, Arthur Coakley, Paudi O’Sullivan, Danny Hutchinson, Tony Harrington, James Murphy, Jack O’Sullivan, Liam Cronin.

The U15 South Munster Cup Semi-Final

Saturday 7th April 2012
Venue: Templehill, Cork

Cork Con 3 - Bantry Bay 5

The score doesn’t tell the full story in this game, as Bantry Bay were dominant throughout. However, full marks must go to the lighter Cork Con side, who defended very well for long periods in the game.

            Bantry forwards were very strong. They won their line outs and drove Cork Con back in the scrums. Both sides were nervous and made errors in the first ten to fifteen minutes. Bantry had to defend and Con were nearly in.

From that to half time Bantry pounded the Con line until finally after some really good handling by the backs and driving by the forwards, Tadgh McCarthy dived in to open scoring.Con replied with a penalty to make it 5 – 3. Sean McCarthy kept Con for long periods in their 22 with some very good touch kicking. Bantry created a lot of chances and the driving of the forwards kept Bantry in control, but they couldn’t get that vital score to put distance between them and Con.

            The final act of the game nearly ended badly for Bantry, when inside the Con half, a blocked down kick was driven on by Con and they established a foot hold in the Bantry 22. A nervous five minutes and a missed penalty by Con had Bantry hearts beating, but all was well and Bantry Bay emerged deserving victory.

In a game where both sides gave their all, Cillian O’Sullivan, Dylan Murphy, Eoin McIlhinney, Kieran O’Sullivan and Ian Hurley, were some of Bantrys stars. Above all this is a team effort with everyone playing their part.

Team:
Joe Doyle, Kieran O’Sullivan, Dylan Murphy, Kevin Holland, Fineen Wycherly, Tadg McCarthy, Ian Hurley, Owen McIlhenny, Sean McCarthy, Philip O’Shea, Shane Shannon, Phil Walters, Cillian O’Sullivan, Thomas O’Donovan, Fergal O’Sullivan, Tristan Coakley, Shane Harrington, Arthur Coakley, Paudi O’Sullivan, Danny Hutchinson, Tony Harrington, James Murphy, Jack O’Sullivan, Liam Cronin.

Under 15's League Semi-Final

Saturday 18th February 2012

Venue:Templehill, Cork

Cork Constitution 8 - Bantry Bay 7

The under fifteen league semi-final was held in Cork Constitution grounds on Saturday the 18th February. Bantry Bay came into this match with a team that have been improving all year. Realistically they would have been considered underdogs against the might of Cork Con. However, anyone at the game went away with a very different opinion, as the Bantry Bay boys stretched the Cork Con side to breaking point.

            Bantry were wind assisted in the first half and pinned Con Back inside their half for much of this period. They really should have built a lead as they threatened the Cork Con line with line breaks and driving mauls. Con held out through a mixture of good defence and Bantry Bay passes going astray at the vital moment. Cork Con went in at half time 3 - 0 up.

            Cork Con started the second half with a different strategy, kicking a lot of ball in the first half, they realised they were going nowhere with Killian O’Sullivan running ball back at them and making great ground. So they ran everything in the second half and dominated the first ten minutes. Bantry’s defence was tremendous during this period, the entire team tackled manfully as con ran through everything.

            Bantry Bay then got up to the pace of the game and after great mauling by the Bantry forwards, and a break by Dylan Murphy, and offload to Kieran O’Sullivan and with Ian Hurley there to drive him in, Bantry Scored their try, Converted by Seán McCarthy. 7 - 3 to Bantry.

            Then the play went from end to end. The Bantry defence was excellent, with Michael Casey and Philip Walters very sound in the middle of the pitch. Then a controversial decision by the referee changed the course of the game. Bantry were out just short of their 22 with a scrum awarded to them. The referee then over-ruled his own decision and gave Cork Con a penalty. The Bantry boys couldn’t understand this and dropped their guard. Cork Con took a quick penalty and drove to the line to score 8 - 7 to Con.

            With eight minutes left, Bantry threw everything at Cork Con, but just couldn’t break down their defence. Con ran out winners in an action packed final five minutes.

            The refs decision had a big bearing on this match. The Bantry scrum had the upper hand all day and it is probable they would have won this scrum and cleared their lines. The overturning of his initial decision came because a Bantry mentor, 20 yards away from the action, was outside the technical area. Our investigation of the rules and bye laws lead us to understand that the sanction open to the ref is to put the person behind the safety barrier, not to penalise the team on the field of play for something they had no control of.

            This left a sour taste on what was an action packed sporting encounter. Needless to mention, Cork Con mentors were as guilty as the Bantry mentors for this offence!

Team:
01 - Joe Doyle, 02 - Kieran O’Sullivan, 03 - Dylan Murphy, 04 - Kevin Holland, 05 - Fineen Wycherly, 06 - Tadgh McCarthy, 07 - Liam Cronin, 08 - Ian Hurley, 09 - Owen McIllhenny, 10 - Seán McCarthy, 11 - Philip O’Shea, 12 - Shane Shannon, 13 - Phil Walters, 14 - Michael Casey, 15 - Killian O’Sullivan

Subs:
Thomas O’Donovan, Shane Harrington, Danny Hutchinson, James Murphy, Fergal O’Sullivan, Arthur Coakley, Tony Harrington, Jack O’Sullivan, Tristan Coakley, Paudie O’Sullivan

Coaches: Tony McIlhenny & James Hegarty.
Sponsor: Vincie McCarthy (The Anchor, Bantry)   

Under 15's League Playoff

Saturday 4th February 2012

Venue: Clonakilty

Clonakilty 14 - Bantry Bay 19

This was a vital game for both sets of players. Qualification for the semi-final was at stake. It was a very high quality game, with Bantry going into a well deserved 19 - 7 lead and Clonakilty coming back to nearly snatch victory in the last fifteen minutes. Bantry holding out for the win.

            Bantry bay now qualify for the semi final in Cork against Cork Con. (Saturday 18th February 2012 in Cork Con grounds, Templehill,Cork at 12:15pm). Skibbereen play Old Christians in the other semi-final. Could there be a dream west-Cork final?

Tries: Ian Hurley; Tadgh McCarthy; Owen McIlhenny;

Converts (2) : Sean McCarthy

Team:

01 - Joe Doyle, 02 - Kieran O’Sullivan, 03 - Dylan Murphy, 04 - Kevin Holland, 05 - Fineen Wycherly, 06 - Tadgh McCarthy, 07 - Liam Cronin, 08 - Ian Hurley, 09 - Owen McIllhenny, 10 - Seán McCarthy, 11 - Philip O’Shea, 12 - Shane Shannon, 13 - Phil Walters, 14 - Thomas O’Donovan, 15 - Killian O’Sullivan

Subs:

Michael Casey, Shane Harrington, Danny Hutchinson, James Murphy, Fergal O’Sullivan, Arthur Coakley, Tony Harrington, Jack O’Sullivan

Tristan Coakley, Paudie O’Sullivan

Coaches: Tony McIlhenny & James Hegarty.

Sponsor: Vincie McCarthy (The Anchor, Bantry)