Bandon RFC 31

Kilfeacle 0

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

BANDON booked their place in next season’s All-Ireland Junior Cup by clinching a top-four spot in Munster Junior League Division 1.

In their final league outing on Sunday, the West Cork club defeated newly crowned champions Kilfeacle to seal their place in the top four, at the expense of Richmond, who lost to Mallow.

From pillar to post, Bandon were the better team. Adapting superbly to atrocious weather conditions, their rock-solid scrum and efficient lineout gave nothing away to a Kilfeacle side that had gone 13 league games unbeaten.

Yet, it was also a bittersweet afternoon for the home side. The victory marked head coach Régis Sonnes’ final home fixture before departing to take charge of the Spanish women’s international team.

‘Régis left before and he came back again so who knows what the future holds!’ quipped Bandon team manager Dan Murphy.

‘He says he has always been made to feel at home here. Régis is easy to like and a lovely guy. A great friend of Bandon, Régis will be missed and deserves all the best in the future.’

Incessant rain and a relentless wind throughout the 80 minutes dictated an attritional contest dominated by the forwards. This was a day for ball retention, territory and patience.

Aided by the elements in the first half, Bandon struck first when Scott Kingston touched down. Despite the missed conversion, the hosts were in complete control and quickly added to their lead.

Ralph O’Mahony broke through Kilfeacle’s defensive line and surged into the 22 before offloading to Tadhg Galvin. The second row finished off a superb move, and Daniel Coughlan’s conversion made it 12-0.

Bandon continued to dominate territory as two successive kicks to the corner forced lineouts deep inside the visitors’ 22. Persistent pressure on the Kilfeacle try-line resulted in a yellow card for flanker Rian Doody, and Bandon took full advantage when Enda Phelan crossed under the posts. Coughlan converted to extend the advantage to 19-0.

Kevin Kinane and Gavin Hueston helped steady a Kilfeacle side under intense pressure until a Kevin Doyle knock-on handed the hosts another attacking platform. Following multiple phases, Tadhg Galvin went over in the corner for his second try. Coughlan’s conversion completed a dominant half and a 26-0 interval lead.

Refusing to take their foot off the gas, Bandon made the better restart. Driving menacingly into the opposition 22, they used the full power of their pack to force their way over for a fifth try, Scott Kingston touching down for his second of the afternoon.

The 31-0 scoreline remained unchanged after Coughlan’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

Kilfeacle finally gained some territory late on, only to be met by Bandon’s ferocious scrummaging and counter-rucking. When Gavin Hueston appeared set to score, he was held up over the line by heroic last-ditch defending.

Afterwards, jubilant dressing-room scenes followed as confirmation of a fourth-placed finish brought the curtain down on Bandon’s Division 1 campaign.

Scorers

Bandon: Scott Kingston (2 tries), Tadhg Galvin (2 tries), Enda Phelan (1 try), Daniel Coughlan (3 conversions).

Kilfeacle: None.

Bandon: Zack Canniffe; Matthew Crowley, Gearoid O’Leary, Ben Donegan, Colm McCarthy; Zachary Allen, Daniel Coughlan; Padraig Galvin, Scott Kingston, Rhys Hughes; Tadhg Galvin, Enda Phelan; Joshua Brady, Ralph O’Mahony, Kain Donnellan.

Replacements: Conor Egan, Jacob Brennan, Daniel Lane, Jack McNamara, Dylan Barr, Conor Nash.

Kilfeacle: James Hogan; Kevin Doyle, Darren Lowey, Muiri Lambe, Ben Farrelly; Gavin Heston, Luke Hueston; Diarmuid O’Donnell, James Ryan, Daniel Lambe; Adam Crowe, Bob Purcell; Richard Donovan, Ryan Doody, Kevin Kinane.

Replacements: Thomas Delaney, Darragh Sheehy, Caoimhin Doody, Ben White, Kelan O’Connor, Killian Noonan, Gareth Thomas.

Referee: Alex Aherne (Midleton).