BANDON A. F. C.

Passage United travelled to Bandon on Sat last for a second round CSL U15 cup game V Bandon  .The last time these two sides met was back in October  in the  national Cup when on that ocassion passage ran out  victors on a score line of  2  - 1 ..Bandon were without (due to injury )ace goalkeeper Matthew MacNamara on that ocassion which was a big loss .Hopes were high that with a full squad on this ocassion and Mattie back in form that this was going to be a close encounter .
Bandon had defeated Richmond 3 - 0  in their first round CSL Cup game and were now looking to take on the challenge of Passage .
The Bandon squad consisted of : Alex O Donoughe ,Matthew MacNamara ,Shane Harte ,Conor Nyhan ,James Goulding ,Darren Holland ,Jamie Hunt , Roy O Donovan ,Ross Moynihan (captain) Joe Lynch ,Eoin Ryan ,Barry Collins ,Ryan Thomas ,David O Donovan and Conor O Neill.
The pitch  considering the recent weather was in reasonaly good condition and held up well for the game which was played at a very lively and competitive pace .
Bandon started the better despite the fact that Passage play 3 divisions above them in the U15 League.David O Donovan came close for Bandon on the 10 minute mark , the Passage defence was well orgnised and despite the Bandon pressure few chances arose .Passage had their chances in the first half also but again due to an excellent Bandon defence of Conor Nyhan who was outstanding in his reading of play , tackling  , James Goulding in his speed and reactions kept shots on  the Bandon goal to a minimum  .Any shots taken were at distance and held safely by the hands of Mattie MacNamara .Shane Harte and Darren Holland were kept busy on  both wings taking no chances playing safe and secure .
As the first half was drawing to a close Bandon knew they had the measure of passage and we were growing in confidence .Eoin Ryan and Barry Collins were coming out best on  most of the exchanges in the middle of the field , While both wings  Joe Lynch  and Ross Moynihan were finding a way forward bringing Conor ONeill more into play .Bandon Finished the stongest at the end of the first half - side went in scoreless at half time .
The second half sarted as hectic as the first with Bandon again putting on the pressure .Conor O Neill forced a corner on the 50 minute mark which Shane Harte swing in sweetly , the passage goal keeper came under pressure , failed to  secure the high ball and Conor Nyhan who came up for the corner was there to tap it home .Bandon were 1 up and deservedely so .Passage despite a goal down wanted their revenge and only for the Bandon goalie being sharp  and on his toes denied them on more than 3 ocassions .Passage  putting more up front gave Bandon more chances , Barry Collins came close for bandon on the 70 minute mark as did David  O Donovan minutes later .Ross Moynihan forces a brillant save from the passage keeper on the 75 minute showing that Bandon were not a spent force .
Despite this Passage rallied and spent the last quarter of the game pressurising Bandon goal area .Passage shots on goal were increasing and when James Goulding had to limp off for Bandon in the last 8 minutes a draw looked a likely outcome .Roy Lordan was introduced on the wing and Dave Tyner reorganised the  Bandon back line for the remaining minutes to hold passage at bay .There were 5 minutes  on top of the full time for Bandon to hold out for and hold out they did in a spirited finish Bandon came out on top , and won on a scorline  of 1 nil thanks to the Conor Nyhan goal .
Bandon may have been playing above their league status but it goes to show what can achieved when belief sets in - belief which Dave Tyner has put into this squad taking them into the last 16 .Bandon meet the winners of Kilreen and Kanturk in the next round and should Bandon come out of that one we would be set for a local darby against Inishvilla who are now in the premier division .