Under 16s win County.

Bride Rover's made history at the Tom Creedon Memorial Park in Macroom on Sunday when our U16 footballers captured the Rebel Óg U16A County title at the expense of West Cork champions Urhan, from the Beara Peninsula. This was the first football success at County level for the parish since Sunday the 8th of September 1889 On that day Patrick Murphy of Raheen led the Rathcormac Senior Football team to a three points to one victory over city side Nils in the O Brien Board County Final. Well after a wait of 127 years a County Football crown has been brought back to parish.  Bride Rovers had victories over Bishopstown and Passage in the earlier rounds and defeated Aghinagh in the Eastern final. On their way to the County final they had a hard fought win over North Cork Champions Granard Gaels. That County Semi Final was played in Killavullen on Saturday October the 15th, two months ago.  Since then preparation for the final had been difficult. Of our panel of nineteen players fourteen have been involved with the Colaiste an Chraoibhinn and St Colmans hurling teams and had been training with their schools sides constantly. In fairness though James, Joe, Martin and Don had an amount of time invested in this team over the summer. Then came the news that Kieran Kearney was very sick last weekend. Kieran should have been in his sick bed but the Kearneys are made of sterling stuff so Kieran took his place on the starting team. Our opponents Urhan are from the Gaelic football heartland of West Cork and with their sole concentration being on football we knew we'd have a serious challenge. So it was East versus West in last Sundays showdown and the large attendance were not disappointed as two well-prepared teams served a pulsating hours football.  Bride Rovers enjoyed the early exchanges but for all their chances could not get on the scoreboard with midfielder Conleith Ryan coming closest with his goal chance flashing narrowly wide. In fact it was Urhan in their red jersies who hit the target first with a long-range point this was followed by a similar score to go two up.  A great Bride Rover's move yielded a goal when corner forward Kieran Kearney finished from close range.  Urhan replied with a point and then were awarded a penalty, which they duly converted. That left the West Cork side 1 3 to 1 point ahead though we had the lion's share of god chances.  Conor Barry replied with a point before the interval to leave the half time score Urhan 1-3, Bride Rovers 1-1.   Our absence from the competitive football pitch probably told in that first half, we had plenty possession but our wides tally was alarming.  Still there was no panic at half time -we had been in situations like this in some of the earlier games and came out on top. The clear message was to keep up the massive effort right throughout the team and the scores will come. In the second half Bride Rovers were quickly into their stride with Kieran Kearney kicking an early point -so much for the flu!  Conleith Ryan who moved to full forward obliged immediately with a similar score to tie up matters.  From here on it was all Bride Rovers and they kept adding points courtesy of Griffin O'Keeney, Conor Barry and Cian Hogan. Though Urhan replied with the odd point, the Rovers held the initiative all through.  The Rovers defence was excellent with some great defending. Time and time again defenders worked the ball out cleverly and set up their mid fielders and forwards with some great ball. The line in the Rovers Anthem "when hot grew that fight those hearts grew more eager" was seen to great effect in Macroom last Sunday. Griffin O'Keeney had the final say to finish off a great afternoon for the East Cork side when he kicked a superb point from some forty meters from out near the sideline with five minutes remaining. Urhan threw everything at the Rovers over the remaining minutes but they held firm to fashion a marvellous victory and go into the history books with a first football title at County level.  Bride Rovers 1-10, Urhan 1-6.  This was an excellent team performance with Ben Hogan never putting a foot wrong in goals, Matthew Quinn at full back was a tower of strength with Ruairi O'Sullivan and Peter O'Leary excellent in both corners.  The half back line of Griffin O'Keeney, Eoin Roche and Patrick O'Flynn were outstanding all through with the mid field pairing of Brian Roche and Conleith Ryan winning the day over their opponents. Jordan Mannix was a revelation at centre forward while Tom Murray on one wing had the game of his life and also chipped in with an excellent point. Seamus Ahern on the other flank covered every inch of the Macroom pitch going back as an extra defender on many occasions and cleared some great ball while the inside line of flu victim Kieran Kearney, Cian Hogan and Conor Barry had a marvellous hour. John O'Sullivan too had a mighty game-clearing ball after ball out of defence while Shaun Knox and Michael Quinlan can too be proud of a massive achievement.  All in all it was a brilliant team performance from a very talented and disciplined bunch of players. The County  cup was presented to team captain Conor Barry from Rebel Og's PRO, Donal Whooley, amid loud applause. It was proud moment for Conor and he spoke very well, one could see what this win meant to him and all his team mates. For team management James Ahern, Joe Barry and Martin O'Sullivan it was a proud moment for this trio as they had put huge work into this team in football over the last numbers of years, it was a dream come through.  For parents and supporters it was a joyous occasion and a big thanks to all who travelled to the mid Cork town to support their local heroes.  A big thanks also to Don Connolly who has provided his services free gratis as physio and first aider at every football championship game this team played during the year. 

Thanks also to our photographer Basil O'Sullivan for all the photos he took during the campaign, to Donal Roche for organising the matches, etc. throughout the season and very a big thanks also to Donal and Eileen Roche for arranging some lovely gear for the County Final -a truly  historic occasion.  

Scorers;  Kieran Kearney 1-2, Conor Barry 0-3, Griffin O'Keeney 0-2, Tom Murray, Conleith Ryan, Cian Hogan 0-1 each.

 Panel: Ben Hogan, Ruairi O'Sullivan, Matthew Quinn, Peter O'Leary, Griffin O'Keeney, Eoin Roche, Patrick O'Flynn, Brian Roche, Conleith Ryan, Tom Murray, Jordan Mannix, Seamus Ahern, Kieran Kearney, Cian Hogan, Conor Barry, John O'Sullivan, Shaun Knox, Michael Quinlan and Oisin Roche.

When the cheering had eventually died down the lads togged out. Then it was back home through Mid Cork, Cork city and into East Cork.  A bonfire was waiting in Bartlemy where a rendition of 'Bride Rovers Abu' was sang with pride before the team headed to Rathcormac for more celebrations and well earned refreshments. It was mighty achievement by a grand bunch of players who have given us so much joy over the last few years. Well done lads.

GLEN AGAIN IN 2017.

The Annual Cork County GAA Board Convention was held in the Nemo Rangers complex last Sunday. With no elections and just two motions it was a business like but low key gathering of Cork Gaels.  Our Clubman Gerard Lane continues as County Chairman for the third year in a row. After the Convention the 2017 Championship draws were made and we got our old rivals Glen Rovers. They beat us in the County quarter final in 2915 and have gone on to win two County titles in a row. Any side chasing a three in a row will be very difficult opposition. The winners face Sarsfields while the losers face the losers of Avondhu v Carbery. There's nothing easy there but as some politician quipped a few years back. "Ye're playing Senior Hurling now"! Roll on 2017.

MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2017.

Players €100

Non Player adult membership €50

OAP membership €20.

Gym Membership €100.

All Membership and Gym Fees can be paid to the Club Treasurer Dan Quill or any Executive Committee Member.

CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for Tuesday December the 6th  was €6800 and the four numbers drawn were 6, 7, 12 and 29  and there was no winner. The winners of €30 each were Brid Hartnett, Ballyreidy, JJ Carey Monanig, Aileen O Mahony c/o SPAR, Esther & Paddy Healy Terramount, Tom O Flynn Rathcormac.. The Jackpot for Tuesday December the 13th was €7000. Tickets for the weekly Lotto are just €2 each and they can also be purchased online at locallotto.ie An annual Lotto ticket would be a nice Christmas present - the present that goes on for a year!

Well done St Colmans

It was nerve wracking towards the end of normal time last Wednesday when it looked like curtains in the Harty Cup for St Colmans against Flannans of Ennis. Fair play to the Fermoy College players, they came back to get a draw and then won well in extra time. The draw for the quarter finals is to be made this week. Over the last three months in Harty, Dean Ryan and O Callaghan Cup the St Colmans hurling teams have given us some marvellous displays of our ancient game. Well done to all the teams.

CORK GAA MEMBERS DRAW.

The Bride Rovers Club will host the December Draw in Rathcormac Hall on Thursday fortnight December the 15th.  This will be special occasion for the Club and the Draw Committee. Refreshments will be served on the night and also a special raffle for those in attendance.

.ASTRO TURF BOOKING.

All bookings of the two Astro Turf playing areas are to be made by contacting the Club Runai Daniel Lane at 087 2070100.

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DATES TO REMEMBER;

Thursday Dec 15th ;December Draw Cork GAA draw, Rathcormac Hall.

Tuesday Dec 20th Christmas Lotto.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres

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