BY JOHN MURPHY

BANTRY Blues manager Joe O’Donnell could not hide his pride after watching his side time their run to perfection and capture the RCM Tarmacadam Junior B Hurling Championship crown at Castletownkenneigh.

‘Look, we didn’t start the year well,’ O’Donnell admitted, reflecting on a campaign that grew in strength as it went on.

‘But we regrouped, and we have in our team some fine players. They answered the call, we came good today, and that’s what it’s all about – especially pleasing when you get a result against a talented Bandon side. They were the best we’ve met in recent times.’

O’Donnell, a figure long synonymous with Bantry hurling, dismissed any notion of his club being ‘sleeping giants’ in Carbery.

‘We were in the county final two years ago and were beaten by Lisgoold, a fine hurling team. We’re not slumbering giants – we’ve fine young hurlers coming through, and some stalwarts like Connie and Seánie O’Leary and Arthur Coakley have given great service. And Alan O’Sullivan, what a goalkeeper – he lives in the GAA pitch. You saw what he meant to us today.’

While Bantry is a dual club, O’Donnell acknowledged the challenges and benefits that come with football’s dominance.

‘We have plenty of hurlers, a big town, a big club, but like many others, football is the number one priority. It’s something we have to live with. Still, it’s possibly an advantage in one sense – those footballers are experienced, they don’t panic, and that’s a key factor.’

Attention now turns to the county series, and O’Donnell’s enthusiasm for the next challenge is clear.

‘Wins like this are huge morale boosters for hurling in Bantry. We’re looking forward to the county series now. We’re physical, we’ve got craft, and that’s helped by the higher standard we meet in football. We’ll have no problem lining out again this weekend.’