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My Dear Friends of Bandon Rugby,

Sadly it’s the 2021/22 SEASON FINALE, and my term as President comes to an end. What a season of rugby it really was! Such a contrast to the last two seasons where so little, if any rugby was played. This season, the club as a collective, roared backed in style at every level to experience the friendship and fun of playing and winning.
And winning we certainly did! How many Cups and trophies have we won this year? Well why not come down and join us in Old Chapel this Friday starting at 6.30pm for our End of Season Bar-b-que and Club Awards night and see for yourself! Everyone is welcome to come and help us celebrate the effort of the players and coaches from Under 6’s to the slightly more mature guys such as Colm and JP! The success of a club is generally measured by the performance of the top team and this year our Junior Panel were exceptional. Losing out on a Junior A league win by a mere bonus point was cruel, but our record in the league was as good as the winners, losing just one match throughout the campaign.
As for the Junior Cup, will we ever forget that first round win at Old Chapel over Cork Constitution and THAT TRY by Josh Mahony? When John Merrick gets around to writing the next hundred years of Bandon Rugby history, that try will be the centre piece of the book! Well done Josh.
The J2’s who were ever present and part of the junior panel were exceptional this season, and sure why wouldn’t they be? Lead from the front at all times by the old war dog, Colm Hurley. Bringing home two trophies and losing out in the final of another at Musgrave Park to Cork Con shows the strength in depth that was developed by the coaches and players over the duration of the season. Great credit is due to our outstanding Club Captain Ben Ridgeway (and his dog), and our coaches Paul Barr and Eamon Guinevan. I also want to acknowledge the great work and meticulous co-ordination from Niall Mahony.

If the strength of a club is measured by the performance of its adult team, the foundation and the platform for that team can only come from one source, the clubs underage section. If this seasons underage achievements are anything to go by the future seasons at Junior level are going to be very exciting. I know I’ve mentioned on several occasions the underage Saturday mornings at Old Chapel and the level of commitment and fun that I have experienced this season but it cannot be over emphasised how important it is that we all, as parents and adults make the effort to take part and contribute in any way we can.  To the coaches and mentors of all the underage teams a very well done, but a big shout out to the multiple cup winners, the Under 14’s, the Under 16’s and last Sunday the Under 13’s. This season too we had our stars of the club representing us on the big stages, none more so than Jack Crowley who has seen plenty of action with Munster and another man following in that No. 10 shirt, Jeff Williams who recently won his first Irish cap at Under 19 level. Many congratulations to both No. 10’s, and to Rob McCarthy on his Munster achievements. Great to be present in Tralee last Saturday when J1 player James Collins O’Brien (JCB) was capped for Munster Juniors. Congraulations to all these young men who continue to inspire the younger players and make us as a club so proud of their achievements.
       
So as I finish my term as President may I again say what a pleasure and honour it has been to have spent the time with so many great people and enjoyed the company of old friends and new friends made and may I wish Bandon Rugby Club every success in the coming exciting seasons.  I look forward to seeing you all at the Rugby Club’s Golf Classic June Friday June 10^th  _ Put that date in in your diary…

Have a wonder summer!

Richard Godsil
President Bandon Rugby Club