Bandon's downward spiral - has it come to an end?

In 2020, Bandon progressed to the knockouts in both the Cork Senior A Hurling and Football Championships.

Not many would have foreseen they’d be fighting for survival at Intermediate A in hurling and Premier Intermediate in football just four seasons later.

They’ve fallen far, and they’ve fallen fast.

With former Cork footballers Mark Sugrue and Darren Crowley, as well as former Cork hurler Michael Cahalane all continuing to deliver in both codes – they’ve managed to put a stop, at least temporarily, to the spiral, despite their defeat to Nemo Rangers last Saturday.

It’s taken a huge effort from the west Cork side that were a force not so long ago at senior level, and Premier Intermediate hurling champions in 2016.

“We mightn’t ever say this – but we’re a club that’s used to winning counties,” coach Ray Brennan says. “We’re not at the moment.

 “When you are in a slide, all you can do is stop it. In fairness to the players here, we might never get thanked for it, but we’ve stopped the slide at hurling and football.

We’re still at a very high level in football, but it’s a strange situation to be in after losing three championship games. What’s really shown here is the benefit of being competitive in all three games, that’s kept us up.

“There are warriors in that dressing room, fellas with serious character like Darren Crowley – the shift he put in there, we’re so lucky to have him. 

That’s what’s kept us up, I think another club might have went down.

“We came down here with the job to win the game, and we didn’t win it,” Brennan admits. “With hurling last week, staying up in both – I think you just have to deal with the situation you’re in and do what’s best for the club.

“We got over the line, we were down six at one point, we were out. But the heart that the lads showed was just incredible. In fairness, we kept going and Cian O’Mahony – a massive stalwart for the club, got a massive goal.

“We’re disappointed with the result, but we’re delighted to [still] be up.” 

Survival in both codes was essential for the Carbery side.

They’ve achieved that, and they’ve put a stop to the downward spiral that can catch any team out very quickly.

But now Bandon can look up.

A positive crop of minors, competitive at Premier 2 in both hurling and football, they’ll have more players to choose from next year.

Jack Cullinane is one that will certainly be involved with the hurlers, and James O’Driscoll is another quality prospect, this time in football.

It might seem unusual that a three-point defeat can be such a spiritual victory, but it’s a huge lift for Bandon – who will be aiming to get back on track next season.

“Coming in here today, the main thing we were saying – and not to be disrespecting any grade, the reality is the higher grade you are, the more interest the young fellas have.

“It’s less likely fellas will go on J1s or holidays, we know there’s another good team coming. We’ve fellas coming back from New Zealand and places like that, Eamonn Twomey has been out all year – one of our best backs.

HEART

“Unfortunately it was the type of year where we just had to get through it and stay where we are – and there’s no shame in that either.

“Next year, we’ll be preparing to go on and try and win counties again.

“You saw the mentality when we went six down today. Another club would have folded.” 

Conceding three goals in a row is an incredibly difficult position to come back from mentally – and that’s without the inevitable shift in scoreline.

Yet, Bandon managed to do it, and while they couldn’t get the win – they did enough on scoring difference to avoid the relegation playoff.

Three points made the difference, another goal that they could have easily conceded.

“It's just character,” Ray says. “We were disappointed against Bantry, we put in a massive shift and then when we conceded a goal, our heads went a small bit for a few minutes.

“That’s all part of it. They’ll learn from today, [we] went six down, [Nemo got] three goals in a row.

“It was very easy to throw in the towel, but they didn’t and I’m immensely proud of them.

That’s the main word – pride.

“Pride to be part of this club, pride to have this hopefully be a springboard for the next few years.”