Defections force Bandon to battle against the odds

Bandon are facing up to a potentially tough transitional period as the Munster senior hockey leagues get underway for the 2012/13 season this weekend.

The west Cork outfit have haemorrhaged players on both the men’s and women’s side over the summer, a combination of emigration, retirements and stars moving on.

The club’s first senior Ireland men’s international, Alastair Smith, has moved to Cork Church of Ireland while Andrew Scannell (UCC), Darren Beamish (year out) and Ireland U18 tyro Scott Sullivan (Australia) are among others to jump ship. As a result, Bandon have seen their opening fixture pushed back to October 20 as they require extra time to prepare their first team.