Dear friends:
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of another season at Bandon RFC. Last weekend’s sponsored walk, barbecue and awards marked a fitting end to another great year for the club, both on and off the pitch.
Any review of the season must start with the playing side. Bandon RFC has about 300 underage playing members and more than 50 adult players. The teams are managed by dozens of coaches, who freely give up much of their time and energy to helping players reach their potential.
In terms of achievements on the pitch in 2025-26, pride of place goes to our U18.5 team, who retained the Pan-Munster Cup, the most prestigious trophy in Munster underage club rugby. For the club to win this trophy two years in a row is a massive achievement, and we look forward to many of the players representing our adult teams with distinction in the years ahead.
Our other Youths teams were highly competitive in their Pan-Munster and South Munster competitions, and their commitment and performances augur well for the future of the club. We also continue to generate strong numbers at Mini level, and it is great to see so many children enjoying their introduction to rugby.
The club also congratulates the growing number of players who represented Cork and Munster at underage level during the season. Several players also went on to represent Ireland. Niamh O’Mahony, who started her rugby journey with the Minis in Bandon, represented the Ireland Women's U18s at a Six Nations Festival in April. In fact, many of the U18.5 players who retained the Pan-Munster Cup were on the same Mini team as Niamh. The club is equally proud of another alum from that Mini's team, Lewis Lenihan, who represented Ireland in a Schools international against Wales in March.
On the adult side, our J1s enjoyed a very successful season. The team finished strongly in the Munster Junior League, securing a top-four finish and qualification for next season’s All-Ireland Junior League. The J1s also reached the finals of both the County Cup and the Munster Junior Challenge Cup, narrowly missing out in both. With the recent success at underage level, an exciting young squad is emerging, and we expect this team to go from strength to strength in the coming seasons.
Congratulations to the players who reached J1 appearance milestones during the year, most notably Scott Kingston, who made his 250th appearance for the club, a great testament to Scott’s ability and commitment. Scott was also one of five Bandon J1s to start for Munster Juniors in their recent away win against Leinster.
Our J2s also enjoyed a strong campaign, reaching the final of the Dave Dineen Cup, where they narrowly lost to Sunday’s Well. Maintaining a strong adult playing group remains hugely important in allowing the club to field two competitive adult teams.
The club would like to express its sincere appreciation to the coaches and managers of both adult teams. A special word of thanks goes to Regis Sonnes, who is departing Bandon RFC to manage the Spanish Women’s team. Regis has been a huge presence in the club in recent years and has been instrumental in transforming how rugby is coached at Bandon RFC. He will be hugely missed, though I have no doubt we will continue to see that huge smile and iconic beret around the club in the years ahead. A bientôt, Regis!
During the season, we were proud to welcome many rugby clubs to Bandon RFC. Special mention should go to Dromore RFC, who travelled from County Down in October to take on Bandon in the All-Ireland League. The day was marked by a wonderful pre-match lunch attended by members of both clubs.
We also welcomed the French masters team, Le XV Des Copains D’Abord, who took on a collection of Bandon RFC legends in a highly entertaining game.
Fundraising remains a key part of both the day-to-day running of the club and the delivery of capital projects that will ensure Bandon RFC continues to provide a sporting and social hub for the community for decades to come.
With this in mind, the club would like to thank everyone who has supported Bandon RFC financially throughout the year. We now have c. 300 adult members and hope to continue growing that membership base.
Our Monster Auction has become one of the club’s key fundraisers, and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of both donors and buyers. We would also like to thank our club sponsors: ODM Financial Advisers, Carl O’Mahony & Co. Solicitors, O’Connor Coaches, Poachers, Dan Moloney’s Butchers and CastleRock Homes.
We would also love your support for the upcoming Golf Classic, kindly sponsored by Nyhan Motors, which takes place at Bandon Golf Club on June 19th. Places for teams of three are filling quickly, so be sure to book your spot and enjoy a great start to the midsummer weekend.
Many people also support the club by volunteering their time and energy to make sure that the club runs smoothly, in areas like hospitality, clubhouse and grounds maintenance, parking (especially on cold Saturday mornings in the middle of winter) and generally helping out. It has been wonderful to meet so many of you and to see first-hand the extraordinary work done by so many people to support this great club.
The end of the season also marks the end of my term as President. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve in the role over the past year. Vice President Jimmy Coughlan has been a tremendous support throughout the season, and I would like to wish Jimmy every success as he takes over as President for the coming year.
Best regards,
Eamon Guinevan,
President, Bandon RFC
#BeBlueBeBandon
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of another season at Bandon RFC. Last weekend’s sponsored walk, barbecue and awards marked a fitting end to another great year for the club, both on and off the pitch.
Any review of the season must start with the playing side. Bandon RFC has about 300 underage playing members and more than 50 adult players. The teams are managed by dozens of coaches, who freely give up much of their time and energy to helping players reach their potential.
In terms of achievements on the pitch in 2025-26, pride of place goes to our U18.5 team, who retained the Pan-Munster Cup, the most prestigious trophy in Munster underage club rugby. For the club to win this trophy two years in a row is a massive achievement, and we look forward to many of the players representing our adult teams with distinction in the years ahead.
Our other Youths teams were highly competitive in their Pan-Munster and South Munster competitions, and their commitment and performances augur well for the future of the club. We also continue to generate strong numbers at Mini level, and it is great to see so many children enjoying their introduction to rugby.
The club also congratulates the growing number of players who represented Cork and Munster at underage level during the season. Several players also went on to represent Ireland. Niamh O’Mahony, who started her rugby journey with the Minis in Bandon, represented the Ireland Women's U18s at a Six Nations Festival in April. In fact, many of the U18.5 players who retained the Pan-Munster Cup were on the same Mini team as Niamh. The club is equally proud of another alum from that Mini's team, Lewis Lenihan, who represented Ireland in a Schools international against Wales in March.
On the adult side, our J1s enjoyed a very successful season. The team finished strongly in the Munster Junior League, securing a top-four finish and qualification for next season’s All-Ireland Junior League. The J1s also reached the finals of both the County Cup and the Munster Junior Challenge Cup, narrowly missing out in both. With the recent success at underage level, an exciting young squad is emerging, and we expect this team to go from strength to strength in the coming seasons.
Congratulations to the players who reached J1 appearance milestones during the year, most notably Scott Kingston, who made his 250th appearance for the club, a great testament to Scott’s ability and commitment. Scott was also one of five Bandon J1s to start for Munster Juniors in their recent away win against Leinster.
Our J2s also enjoyed a strong campaign, reaching the final of the Dave Dineen Cup, where they narrowly lost to Sunday’s Well. Maintaining a strong adult playing group remains hugely important in allowing the club to field two competitive adult teams.
The club would like to express its sincere appreciation to the coaches and managers of both adult teams. A special word of thanks goes to Regis Sonnes, who is departing Bandon RFC to manage the Spanish Women’s team. Regis has been a huge presence in the club in recent years and has been instrumental in transforming how rugby is coached at Bandon RFC. He will be hugely missed, though I have no doubt we will continue to see that huge smile and iconic beret around the club in the years ahead. A bientôt, Regis!
During the season, we were proud to welcome many rugby clubs to Bandon RFC. Special mention should go to Dromore RFC, who travelled from County Down in October to take on Bandon in the All-Ireland League. The day was marked by a wonderful pre-match lunch attended by members of both clubs.
We also welcomed the French masters team, Le XV Des Copains D’Abord, who took on a collection of Bandon RFC legends in a highly entertaining game.
Fundraising remains a key part of both the day-to-day running of the club and the delivery of capital projects that will ensure Bandon RFC continues to provide a sporting and social hub for the community for decades to come.
With this in mind, the club would like to thank everyone who has supported Bandon RFC financially throughout the year. We now have c. 300 adult members and hope to continue growing that membership base.
Our Monster Auction has become one of the club’s key fundraisers, and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of both donors and buyers. We would also like to thank our club sponsors: ODM Financial Advisers, Carl O’Mahony & Co. Solicitors, O’Connor Coaches, Poachers, Dan Moloney’s Butchers and CastleRock Homes.
We would also love your support for the upcoming Golf Classic, kindly sponsored by Nyhan Motors, which takes place at Bandon Golf Club on June 19th. Places for teams of three are filling quickly, so be sure to book your spot and enjoy a great start to the midsummer weekend.
Many people also support the club by volunteering their time and energy to make sure that the club runs smoothly, in areas like hospitality, clubhouse and grounds maintenance, parking (especially on cold Saturday mornings in the middle of winter) and generally helping out. It has been wonderful to meet so many of you and to see first-hand the extraordinary work done by so many people to support this great club.
The end of the season also marks the end of my term as President. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve in the role over the past year. Vice President Jimmy Coughlan has been a tremendous support throughout the season, and I would like to wish Jimmy every success as he takes over as President for the coming year.
Best regards,
Eamon Guinevan,
President, Bandon RFC
#BeBlueBeBandon
