Great Win For Seniors..

Our Senior Hurling team got off to a winning start in the 2016 County Championship at sun-splashed Ballynoe on Saturday night last. An eight point victory over Youghal was well deserved for after the first ten minutes there was really only one team in this game as our lads hurled very well and dominated the contest. It was back in the autumn of 2003 that we last clashed with Youghal in a major championship hurling clash. It took two games then to decide the team to go forward to the County Intermediate Final. We won the replay in fine style and went on to win the County. We had four survivors from the 2003 team Dinny Fitzgerald, Sean Ryan, Brian Murphy and Brendan Walsh while Youghal had the Ring brothers and John Grace. In the build up to Saturday night's game many neutrals expected a close 'local derby' type game while some tipped Youghal as likely winners. In fairness I'd say that no Bride Rovers team ever went out in championship so well prepared as the side led out by Brian Murphy on Saturday evening.  The setting was just perfect- great weather, a perfect pitch and a huge shirt-sleeved crowd. We got off to a blistering start. Barry Johnson opened our account with a pointed 65 in the second minute and shortly after that the same player hit a long dipping shot in and the green flag was waving, we were ahead by 1  1. Youghal's reply was swift, a point followed by a goal from Cork Hurler Bill Cooper left the teams level. After this our lads tore into the contest with a vigour. The defence was excellent and with plenty ball going in to the forward line the points began to come. Points from Daniel Dooley (free) and Stephen Glasgow were sandwiched between two white flags from Richard Whitty to put us ahead 1 5 to 1 1on the quarter hour nark. Youghal got one back from a free before Daniel Dooley and William Finnegan extended our lead to five points. Youghal made it 1   3 before we reeled off four in a row from Barry Johnson (2) frees, Richard Whitty and Michael Collins. As the first half hour came to an end Youghal scored their fourth point but Barry Johnson had the last say with a long-distance free to leave us ahead by eight points at the short whistle. The lead was well deserved because we had dominated the contest for over twenty minutes. We started the second half as we had finished the first. Five points inside ten minutes put us 1 17 to 1  5 ahead. Those white flags came from Barry -three points, one each from play, a free and a sixty five and a point apiece from Shane Walshe and Richard Whitty. All over the pitch we were winning most of the duels playing a fast, crisp, disciplined brand of hurling to which Youghal simply had no answer. In the closing ten minutes Youghal scored some good points but we took our tally of white flags to twenty one with scores from Michael Collins , Daniel Dooley, Barry Johnson from a free and our final point in the 61st minute fromRichard Whitty. The final score was Bride Rovers 1 21 Youghal 1 13. It was great team performance with Donncha Carr and Brian Murphy very solid down the middle. Our corner backs and wing backs did what defenders should do and frequently helped out in attack. Our midfielders and forwards were very economical so we didn’t chalk up a large tally of wides. Overall it was the work-rate of the nineteen players who took part in the game was most impressive on the night. All the long hours of training put in since last December were very evident in the game. Youghal admitted afterwards that they played poorly on the night but much of the credit for that goes to our determination. Well done lads on a great display and well done to Joe, Daniel and Willie and all the backroom team. Under the new county Championship format our win over Youghal has several implications for the Club;

1 We will meet Avondhu in the next game

2 We are guaranteed at least two more Championship games in 2016.

3 We are guaranteed Senior Status for 2017 and 2018 so all in all the win over Youghal was a mighty boost for the Club, well done to all concerned.

Team and scorers v Youghal; Dinny Fitzgerald Lisnagar, Ryan Prendergast Ballinwillin, Donncha Carr Desert, Shane Kearney Barnahash,  Mike Kearney Ballybrowney, Brian Murphy Raheen, Shane Walsh Shanowen, Barry Johnson Ballyda, Jason Pratt Knocknaboola,  William Finnegan Quarter Lane, Sean Ryan Mondaniel, Daniel Dooley main St., Michael Collins Mullentoura,  Stephen Glasgow Shanowen, Richard Whitty Ballinwillin.

Subs Mike Liddane Kildinan, Shane O Connor The Rock, Brendan Walsh Ballinakilla and DJ Cahill Gracelands.

Scorers; Barry 1 8, Richard 0 5, Daniel 0 3, Michael 0 2, Stephen, William and Shane W. 0 1 each. Thanks to the St Catherines Club for perfect arrangements and PRO john O Mahony for an excellent programme.

Well done to neighbours Fermoy and the Hill on their championship wins over the weekend.

SENIOR & JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUES. 

After the hectic tussle in the championship last weekend it's back to RED FM SHL games for the next few weeks. We have an away game V Killeagh on this coming Friday night June 3rd and a home game v Ballyhea on next Tuesday night June 7th.

In the East Cork Junior Hurling Leagues we also have two games. On tonight Thursday June 2nd we are away to Erins Own in Caherlag at 7.30 in Div 1. On Saturday June 4th our third XV travel to Rostellan to take on the home side at 5.30 in Div 3

JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3.

We played Erins Own at home on Monday night May 29th  in the division 3 league. There were 23 players available on the night, while the opposition were struggling for numbers. We welcomed Damian Healy from Kilenaule  Co. Tipperary who played his first match for the club. It was a beautiful evening for hurling and we got some very good scores from eight players. We were up 2.9 to 1.4 at half time and won on a score line of 3.15 to 1.9. Our next match is away to Aghada next Saturday at 5.30pm. 

Panel and scorers: Alan O’Keeffe, Thomas Kearney, Brian Collins, Brian Lahive, Adrian Buckley, Pat Walsh, Barry Collins, James Murphy, Eoin Murphy (1.3), Sean Cotter, Jamie Buckley (0.1), Podge Noonan (0.5), Terry Broderick (0.2), Donal Ryan, Donal Pyne (1.0), Damian Healy, James Barry (0.1), Leon O ‘Flynn (0.2),Jim O’Connor, Ciaran O Grady, Jack Kearney (0.1), Gavin O ‘Flynn, Mossie Dooley.

UNDER 16 PREMIER HURLING LEAGUE.

Inniscarra 1-15 Bride Rovers 3-11

Our most recent U 16 premier 1 game took us to Ballyanly to play Inniscarra. This turned out to be another great game and we came away with the win.
We started well when a long ball into the corner by Griffen found Brian and he netted from close range. Inniscarra themselves came into the game and scored some very good points themselves. Despite playing very well throughout the half we found ourselves down by 4 points at the break. An extremely encouraging team talk at half time saw the boys come out and play some great hurling in the 2nd half. A goal by Conleith got us back into the game and the full back line withstood fierce pressure. Matthew was doing a fine marking job on their most dangerous player and with Jordan running from end to end the scores kept coming and the scores were level on 3 occasions.
The last few minutes were nail biting and the game looked lost with time almost up and we were down by a point. But this is a never say die team and a long free in found Brian on the 21 and he took on the defence and goaled from close range to win the game for Rovers.
Much credit must go to the trainers Alan Fitzgerald and Pat Walsh who always seem to get the very best out of the team.
The panel on the day : B. Hogan,R. O Sullivan ,P.O Flynn,P' O' Leary,J. Mannix, M Quinn,G O' Keeney Sullivan,K.Kearney,C. Barry 0.01,C Ryan 1-01,C Hogan 0.02,E.Roche,S.Ahern,J.O' Sullivan,C. O'Callaghan,S. Knox,M.Quinlan,O' Roche,J.Buckley,Brian Roche 2-08 (5 frees)

UNDER 16 FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

Bride Rovers 2-08  Sliabh Rua 2-06.

Bride Rovers recently played Sliabh Rua and Rovers dominated from the start but yet did not convert possession into scores as the final scoreline shows.

There were some fine performances and scores on the day.

The panel on the day : B. Hogan,R. O Sullivan 0.01 ,P.O Flynn,P' O' Leary,J. Mannix, M Quinn,G O' Keeney Sullivan 0.01,C. Barry 0.04,C Ryan 1-00,C Hogan 0.03,E.Roche,S.Ahern,J.O' Sullivan,S. Knox,M.Quinlan,O' Roche,Brian Roche 1-00

Aghada 2-11 Bride Rovers 2-04.

On the night this was a fair result but it must be said that many of the team under performed. Aghada played some great football and will surely be near the top at the end of the season. Conor was in great form on the night scoring 1.04 and Griffen got the other goal.

The panel v Aghada was : B. Hogan,R. O Sullivan 0.1 ,P.O Flynn,P' O' Leary,J. Mannix, M Quinn,G O' Keeney Sullivan 1.0,C. Barry 2.4,C Ryan,C Hogan,E.Roche,S.Ahern,J.O' Sullivan,S. Knox,M.Quinlan,O' Roche,Brian Roche

Many of the lads will shortly be starting the Junior Cert Exams and we wish them all the very best with their studies. Best wishes too to those sitting the Leaving Cert.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for Tuesday May the 23rs was €5000. The four numbers drawn were 1, 21, 22 and 25 and there was no jackpot winner. The winners of €30 each were Brenny O Driscoll, Martin Murphy, Barry Browne, Denis Ahern and Sean Murphy. Tickets are just €2 each and can be bought in local businesses, from Club members and online at locallotto.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. .

LADIES CLUB BUSY.

The Collection of old clothes etc takes place at Rathcormac Hall this Friday night June 3rd from 7.30 until. The Ladies Club are Holding a 6Km Run/ walk in Bartlemy starting at 12 noon - 12.15 for the Walkers, please support.

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 instalments 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.

 WELL DONE SCOIL BRíDE.

Well done to the schools hurling team who captured the Sciath na Scoil title in Pairc Ui Rinn on Tuesday morning last. Team captain Edmond Cashman and Vice Captain Jake O Flynn led their team to a 2 8 to 1 7 win over Scartleigh NS, well done to all concerned.