The under 14 ladies football team kicked off their season with a match away to Cobh on Sunday evening. This was their first game in the East Cork League. The conditions underfoot were very bad as there had been two games beforehand which, added to the amount of recent rainfall, made for a very muddy and uneven playing pitch. However, the referee called the game on and it had to proceed.
Unfortunately, due to a number of absences for a variety of reasons, Bride Rovers travelled to Cobh with just thirteen players. They expected that Cobh would play thirteen aside in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, but despite many requests before the throw-in, they refused and the girls had no option but  to line out thirteen against fifteen.
Cobh got off to a good start with an early goal and two points before Bride Rovers got on the scoreboard with a goal from Shauna. This was soon followed by a goal from Ella, a point from Shauna and a goal from Caoimhe Hazelwood. Cobh soon replied with two goals and for the rest of the first half, the teams traded scores. At half time, Rovers led by two points, a testament to their very spirited efforts in the face of their numerical disadvantage,
The first fifteen minutes of the second half continued much in the same vein as the first half with little between the teams in terms of scores. Then disaster struck when Caoimhe O'Sullivan, who had been brilliant in defence, came off with a knee injury. The Rovers were now down to twelve players, and still Cobh continued to play fifteen, and brought on subs which meant they were fresh and Bride Rovers, not surprisingly, were beginning to flag. From that point on, Cobh pulled away to win the match by a decisive margin.
Well done to the Bride Rovers' girls; each and every player gave one hundred percent. For many, it was their first time playing on a full sized pitch, and their individual work rate, team effort and collective determination reflected the true meaning of sport.

Team: Amy Kennedy, Alice Murray, Caoimhe O'Sullivan, Caoimhe Kielty, Rebecca Walsh, Naoise McCarthy, Shauna Hayes (2-2), Ciara O'Flynn, Ella Quinlan (3-0), Caoimhe Hazelwood (1-0), Niamh O'Sullivan, Grace Dorgan, Lily Murray.

SENIOR LADIES

Our Senior Ladies have their first League fixture on Sunday the 13th of March, 2016 -v - Inch Rovers in Killeagh at 4.30 p.m. All support greatly appreciated.