Bantry Bay RFC Annual Awards Night
On Friday the 30th of March, the annual awards night was held in The Mariner, Bantry. The venue & band were kindly provided by Stephen & Gillian O’Donovan.
The following received their awards:
Player of the Year: Pat Murnane
Most Improved Player: David Mullins
Best Newcomer: Mike O’Donoghue
Clubman of the Year: Kevin O’Kane
There was a very good crowd present and a lively band, “The Calvinists”, to entertain the fans. Because of the short notice and the Munster/Leinster Rabo Direct match on Saturday night, it wasn’t possible to get anyone from Munster Rugby to attend.
Neill Clarke and Eugene McCarthy spoke and presented the awards. Neill thanked everyone for their great efforts during the year and stressed that continued loyalty to the club way the way forward. He complimented the senior team for keeping things going in what was a difficult year. Progress had been made with facilities at Beach and phase one was nearing completion. Showers will be available shortly, the road was put in and togs out facilities are available.
The second phase was to improve the playing surface. New rules just published mean that the club could qualify for funding for this development from the IRFU as they have relaxed the rules of leases.
Eugene gave a run down on the playing side. He complimented the adult players for sticking to the task and thanked them for their commitment and co-operation. Injuries, retirements and emigration have hit the club hard, but players have shown great courage and commitment.
At underage level, we are still in the strong growth phase. There is now over 300 players registered. Bantry under 15’s continue to have a wonderful season, making the semi-final of the league, they now play Cork Con again in the quarter final of the cup on Saturday the 7th of April at 11 O’Clock in Templehill, Cork.
The club now is strengthened by the entering of teams into Munster competition by Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai. The under 16’s made the quarter final of the King Cup and were unlucky to be beaten by Abbeyfeale 24 – 17 in Abbeyfeale.
The first and second year students won the West Munster League, in both categories. This will bring more students into rugby and the club. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Kevin Healey and the board of management of the school.
Mini rugby goes from strength to strength, and one of the highlights of the year was a blitz at Beach when there was 140 players, 60 from Christians College in Cork and 80 from Bantry, in age categories under 7 to under 12. It was a marvellous sight and a great day for players parents and the club.
Thanks was given to Stephen and Gillian O’Donovan for their work for the club and the provision of the venue & the band on the night. Apologies for the short notice, but the season only finished the previous week and some players were leaving town the following week.
