It's Senior Hurling Championship time again and for the thirteenth year in a row we take our place in the Top Grade of Cork Hurling Competitions. Back in 1998 we defeated Freemount to capture our first ever Cork Junior Hurling title. In 2003 we defeated Inniscarra to win the Intermediate title and since then we've plied our trade at Senior Level. It's been a roller coaster of an adventure, from avoiding relegation to being pipped at the post from winning the County. They have been great years with some wonderful displays of hurling in typical Bride Rovers fashion. It's not easy participating at the very highest level in the biggest County in the country but we have competed very well over the years. On Saturday night in the first round of this year's championship we meet Youghal in Ballynoe. This will be the Seasiders' third year at Senior level and as we know any team from the Imokilly Division will provide formidable opposition. Our hopes of progress this year have been by injuries especially the serious injury sustained by Cian O Connor some weeks ago. In the Senior Hurling League we've had mixed fortunes winning five games but losing vital games to Blackrock, Midleton and Erins Own. As we know only too well League and Championship are miles apart  in terms of pace and skill levels. Overall despite the injuries our preparation has been good but the game on Saturday night will be very much a fifty/fifty affair. Best of luck to the lads and the management team. The game is fixed for Pairc Naomh Caitrionaigh in Ballynoe at 7.30pm (ETime if necessary)-go for it lads.

Junior Hurling League Division 3.

Our third adult hurling team began their League campaign last Friday night in Pynes field with a home game against St Catherines second team. Conditions were not May-like but both teams served up a good display. We trailed by two points at the break and despite a great effort in the second period we lost out by a single score 2 6 to 1  10. For the eighteen players who took part it was a great performance on the night, well done lads. Team and scorers;  Daniel Lane, Tomas Kearney, Brian Collins, Brian Lahive, Barry Collins, Pat Walsh, Adrian Buckley, Jamie Buckley, James Murphy, Owen Murphy (0-1), Jesse O Keeffe, Sean Cotter, Ciaran O Grady, Donal Ryan (1-1), Podge Noonan (0-3). Subs Used: Donal Pyne (0-1), Jack Kearney (1-0), Leon O Flynn.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The weekly Lotto Jackpot for Tuesday May 17th was €4800. The four numbers drawn were 5, 8, 11 and 17  and there was no winner. The winners of thirty Euro each were John Joe Carey, Jack Connor - both of Monanig, Annette O Flynn, Daniel Roche LAYA and M & R Cotter Mondaniel.. The Jackpot for Tuesday May 24th was €5000. Tickets for the Lotto are just €2 each and can be bought from Club members and in local business outlets or online atlocallotto.ie

Astro Turf 

Our Astro Turf facility is proving very popular at the moment and some slots are still available. The schedule is on the Club websitewww.briderovers.ie 

Anyone wishing to book, change or cancel their slot, please contact  Daniel Lane 087 2070100 or  James Bermingham 086 8350741. .

 CORK V TIPPERARY.

A damp day and a damp squib of a match was the general verdict of last Sundays contest in Semple Stadium in Thurles. Tipp looked brilliant but Cork never got into the game where the sweeper system just didn’t work at all. Now it's the 'back door' route for the Rebels, they wont be in action until July so a lot of thinking and training remains to be done.

Membership Fees for 2016.

Club Membership Fees for the 2016 season are now overdue. The fee for Adult Players is €100. For Student Players and non playing ordinary Club members the fee is  €50. For OAP's the fee is €20.  Membership Fees can be paid to the Club Treasurer or any Club Officer or Team mentors. If anyone wants to pay the membership fee in two installments or more  arrangements can be made to facilitate this.

Twitter and Website. 

So many people at home and abroad are now very hi-tech when it comes to keeping in touch with the activities of the Bride Rovers Club. The online editions of newspapers are growing in popularity. Meanwhile you can follow the Club on twitter at twitter@ BrideRoversGAA or on our own website at www.briderovers.ie

Any news items or general items of interest are very welcome for inclusion and can be sent to Gerard Lane.

Joe Mc Donagh RIP.

For the second time in a few weeks we lament the death of a former GAA president. In early May Wicklow man Jack Boothman passed away and then last Friday Galway's Joe MC Donagh died after a short illness at the age of 63. Joe was a great hurler with his club and county and was the youngest man ever elected as GAA president. He was an outstanding leader of the GAA at a time of real change. He was brilliant company to be with. Just two weeks ago he was asked for his 'Greatest Ever GAA Moment' he didn’t mention winning an All Ireland medal with Galway or becoming GAA President' -no his own Club was what meant most to him. Joe replied "Winning the Galway County Junior B hurling Championship final in 1996 was the best of all, I played full-back and Conor my son was at centre back" That was the spirit of Joe, a true gentleman. Wherever and whenever 'The West's Awake' is sung in the future the name of Joe McDonagh will be evoked as we'll recall him singing in Croke Park on that September day in 1980. May he rest in peace.