WEST Cork Sports Star Special Achievement Award winner Richard O’Regan of Bandon AFC was both delighted and taken aback as he accepted his richly deserved accolade at the Celtic Ross Hotel.

The Bandon AFC chairperson’s tireless work has been central to driving inclusivity and strong governance within the club, efforts that culminated in the prestigious FAI Club Mark award.

However, O’Regan’s influence stretches well beyond Bandon AFC’s impressive playing facilities, with the instantly likeable figure widely respected across the county for his selfless commitment to community life.

Receiving this year’s West Cork Sports Star Special Achievement Award still came as a surprise to O’Regan, who admitted it required a double-take when he first learned the news on his smartphone.

‘I found out about it just before Christmas when I was heading out for dinner with my girlfriend Kate and I got a text from the Celtic Ross Hotel’s Helen Wycherley,’ O’Regan told The Southern Star.

‘I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I had to read the text twice! I was saying, “What is this about?” I was delighted and, when I calmed down, it was just a great feeling.

‘I’m still in a bit of shock because there are plenty of other worthy people around West Cork who could have received this award.

‘I am delighted though, and receiving the Special Achievement Award is a really proud moment for me.’

O’Regan was quick to pay tribute to the support he has received from family, friends and the Bandon AFC community, a club he has become an integral part of over many years.

Special Achievement Award winner Richard O'Regan (Bandon AFC) and Kate Murphy enjoying the West Cork Sports Star Awards. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘I’ve got my family here with me tonight and my girlfriend Kate too,’ the Bandon AFC chairperson added.

‘Bandon AFC has a table here at the awards as well. Look, I’ve had many, many years involved with the club and there are some wonderful people doing great work there. I’m just delighted to be part of that and to see the club progressing.

‘So, it has been a great night, not just for me, but for Bandon AFC as well. To have the work and development that has gone on within the club over recent years recognised is fantastic.’

There was no shortage of congratulations for O’Regan at the gala awards evening. Team of the Year winners Kilbrittain, along with Paudie Palmer Youth Award recipient Adaora Nnaemeka of Bandon AC, were among the first to acknowledge an individual who has made such a positive and lasting impact within local communities.

‘It’s an honour for me to be around these wonderful sports stars from different sporting fields,’ O’Regan admitted.

‘The Kilbrittain hurlers, who are on some roll, actually have a lot of Bandon AFC members involved, so we have a good connection with them.

‘I used to coach Philip Wall, Kilbrittain’s captain, so I know him quite well.

‘I’m very, very happy for Kilbrittain and for all the other sports stars here tonight.

‘Adaora Nnaemeka is a past pupil of the school where I’m now teaching, Bandon Primary School, so it was great to meet her and to congratulate her on all the success she’s having.’

O’Regan also took the opportunity to acknowledge the person who nominated him for the award.

‘Tonight is a proud moment for me, but I want to say a special thank you to Brendan Cullen from Bandon AFC, who is the person who nominated me,’ he said.

‘He’s captain of our senior team and someone who has done huge work on behalf of Bandon soccer club. I’ve soldiered alongside him for many years, going back to when we were coaching U12s in the West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League.

‘We started that in 2008 and we’ve been working together on different projects ever since. Brendan is a fantastic guy and I really wanted to note my thanks to him for the nomination and for giving us this proud moment tonight.

‘I also have to mention all the fantastic Bandon AFC club committees I’ve worked with down through the years. Those committees have done incredible work, including the one during my time as chairperson. I would have been lost without them.

‘They are absolutely fantastic people and, to this day, they continue to do great work on behalf of our club and our local community.’