Bandon Win All Ireland Under 19 Title

Great scenes of celebrations at Naas as Bandon won the All Ireland Under 19 title in front of a large contingent from West Cork.

Bandon 15, Navan 3.

A magnificent start by Bandon which saw them race into a 12-0 lead after twelve minutes laid the foundation for this victory.

A magnificent break up the wing by Mighty Okafor saw the Bandon winger burst through several Navan tackles to score in the corner after five minutes.

Seven minutes later Christian Mulcahy got in for second try after good work by Ieuan Walters and Richard Walsh converted.

Navan through everything at the Bandon defence at the start of the second half but the West Cork defence held firm and the Leinster side’s only reward was a penalty by Colm O’Reilly.

Substitute Oisín Healy came close to scoring a third try for Bandon late in the game and a penalty by Richard Walsh wrapped up victory which saw scenes of great jubilation by the large colourful Cork support at the final whistle.

One man who would have loved to have seen this day was one of the club’s great figures in Niall O’Driscoll who sadly passed away this season but this great success is certainly a fitting tribute to him.

Scorers Bandon: M Okafor, C Mulcahy tries, R Walsh con, pen.
Navan: C O’Reilly pen.

Bandon: D Healy; C Mulcahy, K Desmond; G O’Leary, M Okafor; J Murphy (c), R Walsh; I Walters, K O’Donnell; Ben Hunter; Robert O’Sullivan; Hurley, C Jackson; E Phelan, G Robinson; C Barry, D Coffey, M Beechor. Replacements for Bandon: O Healy for C Mulcahy 38, R O’Sullivan for J Murphy 66.

Navan: T Pretorius; M Connolly, H Hester, G McGrane, A Beggy; C O’Reilly, J Condie; B McGovern, S Healy, C Stafford; E Noonan, O Molloy; A Keating, M Clarke, J Wall. Replacements for Navan: U McAdam for Keating 6, C Farrell for M Clarke 22, O McGrane for S Healy 22-27, D Fox for O Molloy 32.

Referee: S Douglas (IRFU).