1947

Bandon’s first title in eighteen years

Goals win final

==========================================

South-West Junior Football Draws 1947

Dohenys v Bandon, Drimoleague v Clonakilty, Bantry v Castlehaven , O’Donovan Rossa v Carbery Rangers.

SW Junior A Football Championship 1947

Round 1 - Carbery Rangers 3-3 O’Donovan Rossa 2-2 March 30^th in Castlehaven

In a scrappy game, the heavier Rangers’ side made better use of their opportunities. In the closing stages the defence also played well under a lot of pressure from the Skibbereen men, who were playing their first championship game under the name “O’Donovan Rossa.” While Rangers had the advantage at midfield, the Rossa half back line covered very well. Although playing against the wind, Skibb led at half time by 2-1 to 1-3, the Skibb goals coming from Gerald Carey, one of the best players on the pitch, and T. O’Driscoll, the Rangers’ goal coming from Murray. Although Skibb did a lot of pressing in the second half, especially in the closing stages, it was the Ross forwards who looked more dangerous. A pair of goals, the second from Lane, gave Ross victory on a score of 3-3 to 2-2. The referee was Paddy O’Mahony, Castlehaven. (teams)

Round 1 - Bandon 2-2 Dohenys 1-1 March 30^th in Enniskean

A large crowd attended this thrilling game in very soft conditions. In a game that got over-robust at times, Bandon won because they showed more cleverness in attack, the winning score being a fine opportunist score. Dohenys led by 1-1 to 1-0 at half time, the scores coming from Moriarty and Farr. On resuming, D. O’Brien pointed twice to put Bandon into the lead and with Dohenys applying fierce pressure in the last quarter, Bandon broke away for a superb goal, scored by Burrowes. Final score was 2-2 to 1-1 and the referee was S. Howe, St. Mary’s.

Round 1 - Bantry Blues 2-3 Castlehaven 0-1 April 6^th in Skibbereen

A strong wind played havoc with all attempts to play good football, the forwards on both sides being guilty of some stray shooting. Even Bantry, though clearly the superior footballers, were unable to handle the breeze. They also fell victim to the strength of the Haven men, who were particularly good at spoiling tactics, especially in the second half against the wind. Even the best of Bantry’s forwards. Tim Cotter, was unable to overcome the opposing defence. Castlehaven kicked their only point in the first half from Minihane and Bantry answered through Fitzgerald. The score at half time was 0-1 each. A pair of goals in the second half by Do’Connor and another outstanding display from veteran Tim Cotter saw Bantry emerging winners by 2-3 to 0-1. “Cotter slipped past a back and ‘sold a dummy,’ flicked to Murphy who notched a very clever point.”

The referee was Con O’Leary, Skibbereen

Round 1 - Drimoleague 4-3 Clonakilty 2-0 June 8^th in Burgatia, Rosscarbery

Playing against a strong wind, Drimoleague played a lot of ground football as well as hand-passing and this helped them to trail by only five points at half time. Faster and combining better than their opponents, the “Scorchers” confined Clon to two goals, from Downey and Walley, while kicking a solitary point themselves. It was 2-0 to 0-1 at half time. Two goals and a point by Twomey and then a goal and a point by Young saw Drimoleague hitting the front in the second half before a Clon rally was halted by a fourth “Scorchers” goal. Best for the winners were Grace at full back, Deane at midfield and both Young and Twomey up front. Clon’s best were Tim Downey, Mickie Nugent, R. McGrath, P. Marron, T. O’Regan and sub, Frank Walley. Final score was 4-3 to 2-0. The referee was Sgt. John Holmes, Carbery Rangers.

Semi-final - Bandon 2-6 Drimoleague 0-1 July 13^th in Enniskean

Bandon led by 0-4 to 0-1 at half time. The referee was Gus Keohane, Enniskean. (team)

Semi-final - Bantry beat Carbery Rangers Sept 6th

SOUTH-WEST JUNIOR A FOOTBALL FINAL 1947

August 31st in Dunmanway

Bandon 3-2 Bantry Blues 0-10

On a glorious fine day in front of a large crowd the sides served up a thriller which went right down to the last kick of the game. The only fault to be found in a game played at a fierce pace despite the heat, was the erratic shooting from both sides.

Reigning champions, Bantry, had the better of the opening exchanges, registering three points but missing many more. Bandon began to settle and drew level with a goal. It was end to end stuff before Bandon kicked two points to lead at the break by 1-2 to 0-3.

Again Bantry dominated the start of the second half and soon drew level with a brace of points. It was anybody’s game now but the Blues seemed to be heading for victory when they built up a lead of four points midway through the second half. They also had a goal disallowed.

Bandon were not to give in easily and the game ended in a welter of excitement. Again Bandon picked off a goal to get back into the game but when Bantry responded with a point, it seemed the title was again heading for Bantry. But a two-point lead is a dangerous thing in any game and in the very last minute Pat O’Riordan became the Bandon hero when he outfoxed the full back and goalkeeper to notch a clever winning goal for Bandon. It finished 3-2 to 0-10.

Robert Buttimer, Dohenys, was the referee.

Bandon: J. S. McCarthy (capt..), J. O’Mahony, M. O’Mahony, J. Walsh, D. O’Donovan, P. O’Neill, J. O’Crowley, D. Cahalane, D. O’Brien, D. Cahalane, G. Mccarthy, P. O’Riordan, Séamus de Búrca, Mícheál Ó Liatháin,, Donncha Slyne.

Bantry Blues: D. Murphy (capt..), P. Daly, T. Harrington, M. Fitxgerald, J. Keane, D. O’Connor, J. Mahony, J. Walsh, M. McCarthy, G. Hurley, P. Donovan, T. Cotter, C. Hazel, M. Riordan, D. McCarthy.

County Championship

Bandon were billed to play Urhan in the county championship in Bantry on September 14^th but on the day the Beara side failed to turn up. Bandon lined out and on hearing that the Urhan transport had broken down on the way to the game, they stayed on the pitch until 4.30pm. When there was still no sign of the Urhan players at that stage, the referee, Tim Cotter of Bantry, awarded the game to Bandon.

Bandon and Brian Dillons met in the county semi-final in Innishannon and Nov. 16^th but with eight minutes remaining incidents occurred on the sideline during which a Dillons’ player was seriously injured. The game was abandoned, with Bandon leading by 3-8 to 1-4 at the time. At the subsequent county board meeting, following an inquiry, both teams were ruled out of the championship. The Bandon club then appealed the decision to the Munster Council and their appeal was upheld the match being awarded to Bandon. However, the county board then decided to appeal that decision to Central Council but the decision of the Munster Council was upheld and Bandon were allowed to proceed in the championship.

Strangely, Bandon were now paired with the army team. Collins, in another county semi-final but this game was not played until February 8^th, 1948. The game was played in Douglas on a water-logged pitch and, playing with the wind, Bandon led by 1-0, scored by Russell, to 0-2 at the break. Collins totally dominated the second half to win by 4-4 to 1-0. Collins later lost the final to Castlemagner by 0-6 to 0-3.

=====================================================================================

County Junior Football Final 1947

Castlemagner 0-6 Collins 0-3 at Ballyclough

==========================================================

"Football is a game for those not good enough to play hurling."

Tony Wall, Tipperary