WINS FOR JUNIORS MINORS AND UNDER 16's, Under 13's and UNDER 12's

 We may be heading for the second half of October but action is still very much to the fore on the playing fields. In the last week our under 16 Football team and Junior C Hurling side have had great championship wins while the Minor Hurling team captured the League Title. As well as these wins both the under 12 and under 13 hurling teams captured league Titles

RESULTS

Bride Rovers 4-10,  Aghinagh 0-07 (Rebel Og East u 16 FC Final)

Bride Rovers 1 10 Whitechurch 0 4 (rebel Og u 13 H League Final)

Bride Rovers 3 20 Watergrasshill 0 18 (Rebel Og East MHL Final)

Bride Rovers 3 13 Douglas 5 2 (Premier u 12 Autumn H League Final)

Bride Rovers 1 13 Sarsfields 1 10 (East Cork JCHC semi final)

DETAILS.

Bride Rovers 4 10 Aghinagh 0 10.

History was made at Ballinlough on Sunday week last with the club capturing its first ever Rebel Og East Under 16  football title.  Over the last number of years this group of players have excelled in the playing fields of Cork capturing several hurling titles at East Region and at County level.  On this occasion it was the big ball that came to the fore .  Having defeated Bishopstown and Passage in the quarter and semi-finals respectively after two great performances they went into the final with great hopes but in their way was a strong football club from West Cork.  From once referee Brian Coniry through up the ball both teams battled hard for possession. Aghinagh opened the scoring with a point to be cancelled by a Tom Murray free.  The Rovers were playing well in all positions and when Eoin Roche raced through for a goal mid way through the half the Rovers were 1-5 to 0-2 ahead.  As the half developed the Rovers were taking control. A big moment came when Tom Murray was fouled in the penalty area.  Up stepped team captain Conor Barry to expertly convert the spot kick  The Rovers scored some great points during the half including 0-3 from the boot of Cian Hogan to lead at the short whistle by 2-7 to 0-3.  To say the match was over at this stage was an understatement but it was indeed a very comfortable lead at the interval.  Aghinagh fired everything at the East Cork team in the opening minutes of the second half but a tremendous defensive display  from the Rovers kept the score to the minimum with goal keeper Ben Hogan being rarely tested. Both teams added a brace of points before the Rovers took complete control adding further goals courtesy of Griffin O'Keeney and Conor Barry.  To run out comfortable winners by 4-10 to 0-07.  This was an excellent team performance from the 19 players on the panel as they gave it their all over an absorbing hours football. So history was made with a first Rebel Og juvenile football title coming to the club and now we move on to a County semi-final in a week or two. 

 Path to the final: Bride Rovers 3-10, Bishopstown 2-10;  Bride Rovers 2-11, Passage 0-11; Bride Rovers 4-10, Aghinagh 0-07. Bride Rovers scoring 9-31 and conceding 2-28 over the three games.  

 The history making panel and scorers were  Ben Hogan, Ruairi O'Sullivan, Matthew Quinn, Peter O'Leary, Griffin O'Keeney 1-1, Eoin Roche 1-0, Patrick O'Flynn 0-1, Kieran Kearney, Conleith Ryan 0 3, Brian Roche 0-2, Jordan Mannix,  Seamus Ahern, Tom Murray 0-1, Cian Hogan 0-4, Conor Barry 2-0, John O'Sullivan, Michael Quinlan, Shaun Knox, Oisin Roche. This was a great win continuing a great tradition of Gaelic Football in the parish. Back in the 1860's and 70's before the GAA was formed 'Rough and Tumble' Football was very popular in the parish with games regularly played at Knockeen and also at Toberneague. In 1889 Rathcormac won the O Brien Board Cork County Senior Football Championship.

Back in 1994 we won the East Cork under 16 double, winning both the Hurling and football championships that season. The players involved were E. Linehan, J. Dorgan, N. Fitzgerald, M. Prendergast, M. Kearney, T. Power, B. Barry, L. Cotter, R. Hegarty, R. Cahill, S. Ryan, J. O Driscoll, P. Hazlewood, T. Moloney, L. Hanrahan, K.Hogan, P. O Donoghue, D. Hoskins, D. Barry.

 MINORS WIN LEAGUE.

 Bride Rovers 3 20 Watergrasshill 0 18.

At the end of July our Minor Hurlers faced Watergrasshill in the quarter final of the Rebel Og East Region championship. On a grand night for hurling before a fine crowd in Pairc na Bride we seemed to be flying in the first half.  Early on we led by 2 4 to 0 2 but at half time we were just two points ahead. In a dramatic second half the Hill got on top. Scores were level with ten minutes to go but in the end we lost by 2 12 to 2 8. It was a game where we were well in control but fair play to the Hill on a great comeback. That was nine weeks ago. Since that July evening Watergrasshill went on to win out the Championship in both the East Region and the County. This was the backdrop then to the Rebel Og East Minor Hurling League Final in Castlelyons last Saturday with Watergrasshill chasing a treble and the Rovers looking to show that the championship result wasn't a fair reflection on the teams ability. In a keenly contested and high scoring game we came out on top by an impressive margin of 11 points - 3 20 to 0 18. It was point for point early on in the game with DJ Cahill, Jesse Barry O Keeffe and Eoin Roche getting some great scores. With 18 minutes gone it was 4 points apiece. Then we went on a scoring spree notching 1  7 before half time while the Hill added just two points - Jesse scoring the goal for us. Our defence played really well in the first half and started many scoring movements.  We were under pressure in the first ten minutes of the second half with four unanswered points from the Hill. Sensing they might do what they did ion the second half of the championship tie they came in waves but our backs were very brave. Goals from Brian Roche and Shane O Flynn helped us to gain real momentum. We got points from all angles -in total nine players scored. We won by a margin of eleven points 3 20 to 0 18. A great win, with tremendous heart, courage and skill displayed by every player. Well done on a magnificent victory. After the game Sean Twohig, on behalf of Rebel Og East presented the winners trophy to an inspiring captain Jesse Barry O Keeffe who thanked the players and selectors and called for three cheers for Watergrasshill. Well done to team mentors Denis Ahern, Bernard Kearney and Eddie O Callaghan.

TEAM PANEL & SCORERS. D. Browne 0 1, P O Flynn, J.O Sullivan, C. Coleman, E. Roche 0 2, S. O Connor 0 1, J. Connor, DJ Cahill 0 3, G. O Keeney 0 1, J. Mannix, J. Service, J. Barry O Keeffe 1 9 (0 5 frees),  B. Roche 1 1, C. Ryan 0 1 , SO Flynn 1 0, I. O Donoghue, C. Barry, B. Hogan, P O Leary, K. Kearney, L O Flynn. Back in 1992 when Denis Ahern was also a selector we won this League in East Cork and went on to win the County Competition also.

JUNIOR C HURLING SEMI FINAL.

Our Junior C Hurling team have qualified for the East Cork Final for the third year in a row. At Carrignavar on Sunday morning our third XV took on Sars' fourth team in the semi final. We were missing a number of players through injury Having already won the East Cork Junior A and B titles Sars were going for a Junior treble but our lads were determined to put in as big effort. We got off to a flying start and white flags from Pat Walsh (2), Alan O Keeffe (2), terry Broderick (2) and Gavin O Flynn and Jim O Connor gave us an  08 to 0 1 lead after  quarter of an hour.  Quick thinking from terry put Alan in for a goal and we led by 1 9 to 0 4 at half time.  The midday sun was now blazing down and twas more like July than October. The sweltering conditions were energy sapping. Sars started the second half in flying fashion and had doubled their tally in ten minutes. We found it hard to get into the game but eventually a point from Terry put us further ahead.  When Sars got a goal in the last few minutes it was a nervous finish but we held out to win by three points 1 13 to 1 10.    in those last few minutes our backs were under severe pressure but weathered the storm.

The team and scorers were as follows;  Dylan Browne, Thomas Kearney, Pa O Driscoll, Brian Lahive, Barry Collins, Barry Murphy, Jim O’Connor, James Murphy 0-1, Stephen Boyce, Gavin O ‘Flynn, Pat Walsh 0-2, Alan O’Keeffe 1-4, Terry Broderick 0-6, Donal Ryan, Sean Cotter, Damian Healy, Sean O’Brien and Daniel Lane. The final against Midleton was fixed for next Saturday but we have several players going on holidays so the Final may go off.

 TWO JUVENILE TITLES.

On what was one of the busiest weekends of the year for the Club at all levels it was great to see both the under 13 and under 12 hurling teams pick up Rebel Og League Titles at the weekend. First into action at noon on Saturday were the u 13 team. They travelled to Whitechurch to take on the home team in the A League Final. Whitechurch had won 7 games and the Rovers 5 in this League which qualified both for the final. On Saturday the team gave a great display shooting some great points to win by 1 10 to 0 4. After the game Brian Mulry of Rebel Og East presented the Rovers captain Jacob Powell with the trophy.

On Sunday then we were at home to Douglas in the Final of the Premier Autumn under 12 Hurling League. Earlier this year the Rovers and Douglas were two of the top teams in the Summer League with Douglas defeating the Rovers in the semi final in the first week of September. Sundays game was a high scoring thriller with the Rovers captained by Conor Hazlewood winning by 3 13 to 5 2. ell done to all the players and mentors involved with these young teams. The under 9 hurling team also had a game on Saturday, having a good win over Watergrasshill at home.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The four numbers drawn on last Tuesday Oct the 4th   were 4, 14, 18 and 28   and there was no winner of the €5000 Jackpot. The winners of the five €30 lucky dips were 

Mossy O Sullivan Kildinan,Claire Lynch Dungourney,Tom Murphy Bartlemy and,Barry Hazlewood  Rathcormac,Liam Cahill Moulane.

The Lotto Jackpot for Tuesday October the 11th th was €5200

A weekly ticket for the Club Lotto costs just €2 and every ticket sold helps with the day to day running of the Club. Tickets are on sale every day in local business outlets and of course from Club Members. Tickets can also be purchased online also at locallotto.ie

CORK GAA CLUBS MEMBERS DRAW.

The 25th Cork GAA CLUBS members draw was launched recently by the GAA President at Bishopstown GAA Club.  The Draw has three main aims -

1  Investment in games development and coaching

2  Risk free funding for clubs

3. Capital projects support

Tickets cost €100 per annum with a guaranteed 45% contribution to the draw members club rising to 58% on agreed target achievement. So for every ticket the Bride Rovers Club sells a minimum of €45 comes straight back into our funds

Since its inception in 1992 communities all over Cork County and City have benefited by more than €19 million in funding their local club developments. Amongst the projects which the Members Draw Income has supported are; Dressing Room and Pavilion development, All weather pitch development, Floodlighting pitches, and the purchase of additional land for other facilities.

The income also helps to finance the Club's playing activities for the year. This year the Bride Rovers Club is hoping to increase the numbers we have in this Draw. The Prizes are magnificent and include cars, holidays, vouchers and huge cash prizes. The cost of €100 can be paid in one sum or half yearly and also by Direct Bank Debit and/or standing order. If you are interested in joining please contact any Club Member. The September and October draws take place on Friday October the 28th.

COUNTY FINAL SUNDAY.

Last Sunday was  one of the biggest days in the annual Cork GAA Calendar - County Final Sunday. Both the Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling finals were played at Pairc Ui Rinn in front of a crowd of nearly 12,0000.  First up was the meeting of our near neighbours Fermoy and Bandon in the PIHC Final. This was just Fermoy's second season at Premier Intermediate level and having defeated Cloyne in a replayed semi final they were confident going into Sunday's game. It was Bandon who dominated the opening twenty minutes of the game and they seemed well in control. Then Fermoy took over at either side of the half time break and reduced the deficit to just two points. Just when it seemed Fermoy were beginning to dominate Bandon took over and finished strongly and for the first time since the 1970's they'll be up at Senior Hurling level for 2017. The only Bride Rovers connection with the final was Liam Lane of Kippawn, Bartlemy.  Liam was one of the four umpires of referee Nathan Wall. Our Imokilly neighbours Erins Own bid for a fourth Senior title against County Champions Glen Rovers seemed well on track in the second half when four points on the trot from Eoghan Murphy put them two ahead. Then Glen Rovers and Cork star Pat Horgan took over with five great scores to put the Glen three ahead. Erins Own had a late goal chance but it went over the bar and the Glen retained their crown.

BEST WISHES TO PA.

On next Sunday Club Referee Pa O Driscoll takes charge of the County Intermediate Football Final between Bandon and Rockchapel in Pairc Ui Rinn.  Best wishes to Pa and his team of officials.

TWITTER.

We have now exceeded the grand total of 2000 followers on Twitter so well done to everyone who follows the activities of Bride Rovers in this way.  

 RETURNED .

During the summer Fr Seanie Barry, Fr Gus O Driscoll and Fr Fachtna O Driscoll were all back home from their missionary duties. They have returned to Kenya, London and Rome respectively and we hope they have settled back after a pleasant break.

 BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS:

Rathcormac Tyres

Veolia Environmental Services.