BANDON JAN 1998

4/1/98


BANDON'S POT OF GOLD:



"It's a rainbow coalition," remarked Brian Crowley MEP at the February 1995

launch of the Town Park Development Plan by the Bandon Soccer Club. But this

was a coalition that delivered on its plans as you can see by a quick visit to

a now transformed Town Park.



The soccer club were and still are the major players in the development, and

the rainbow referred to, a sporting one, consists of the soccer club, the

athletic club, and the pitch and putt club. Perhaps the main coalition, that

which has made past developments possible and future ones probable, is the

alliance between the club and the trustees of the Town Park.



Phase one has seen the basics - changing rooms, showers, toilets, car park -

completed. Last season, a state of the art drainage system was installed on

the main pitch.



The progressive committee is now turning its attention to the setting out of a

floodlit training area which they hope to have ready for next season. A third

pitch will then become the priority.



Bandon AFC was founded in 1970 and now has two pitches at the Town Park. They

field three adult teams, two in the AUL and one in the West Cork League.

Minor and Under 17 sides also play in the AUL. Schoolboy teams are fielded at

four age groups: Under 12, 13, 14, and 15. A Ladies team was introduced last

season and won their division at the first attempt.



In 1993, the club re-opened the pitch and putt course (also in the Town Park)

to provide a service for the community as well as a source of income for the

club. To date, the Bandon FC Pitch and Putt Club has been a tremendous

success not alone with the locals but with many visiting Pitch and Putt clubs

and indeed with tourists.



Denis O'Driscoll is the president of the soccer club and vice-presidents are

Leslie Doyle and Liam Ellis. The officers are: Frank Corcoran (Chairman),

Donal Warren (Vice Chairman), James Nyhan (Secretary), Denis Hayes

(Treasurer), and Tim Coughlan (PRO).



Carmel O'Donovan is the first lady member of the general committee and the

other members are Barry Hayes, Tony Whelton, Eamonn O'Driscoll, Andy Cullen,

Paul O'Driscoll, Jim McCarthy, Paddy Murphy, Paddy Hallissey.