On the road again.....

The New Year is hardly gone and the 2017 GAA season is upon us and truly we are back on the road again, looking forward to another exciting year. Training has started and on Monday night last we had the first meeting of the 2017 Club Executive. Over the years I've attended so many hundreds of meetings -long ones, short  ones, boring ones and angry ones too. Well the buzz on Monday night was unreal. It was long meeting with a huge agenda but the feeling was just marvellous as all present made plans for the year. Membership, finance, development, team coaching, Scor, Club website, the gym, sub-committees, medal presentations, football, National Schools coaching, the astro-turf, scrap collection, Sports prediction Quiz, any other business and votes of sympathy were all discussed. It was great to hear so many members contributing in a very positive manner and augurs well for the future.

 Decisions Made.

The position of Assistant Secretary was not filled at the AGM and on Monday night Pa O Driscoll was elected to this role.  We still need to appoint an Assistant Treasurer. At present we are trying to recruit suitable people to visit both National Schools in the parish on a weekly basis for the coaching of hurling and football. It would entail between five and eight hours per week. A rota of people to oversee the astro turf and lights was drawn up. A long discussion took place on the revised proposal for the 2017 Senior Hurling League. The format proposed envisages a three part competition whereby 8 games are to be played before July the 2nd on a 'non-competitive' basis. After that the teams would be divided into 2 groups of 5 and 2 groups of 4 with the top teams in each group going on to the knock out quarter final stages. It was felt that there was no link between the performances in the first 8 games and the remainder of the competition so we proposed that the top two teams in each group after the 8 game series be seeded for the rest of the League. This proposal to be sent to the Co Board. Cards for the Sports Prediction Quiz were distributed. Last years this was a great success. Tickets are just €10 each with €500 for the overall winner. If anyone predicts all 22 results correctly the winners prize is €3000. The tickets are now on sale and will be available until March 10. Thanks to Dave and Elaine Burke who have done a lot of work to make the result updating easier. The PR Committee are to look at the possibility of re-formatting the Club Website. It was agreed to have an Executive meeting on the second Monday of each month and further meeting as deemed necessary. Overall it was an outstanding first meeting and a great start for Chairman Richie O Regan. The membership of the various sub-committees is nearing completion.

 SCRAP METAL COLLECTION.

In recent years the Club has undertaken a Scrap metal Collection as part of our ongoing fundraising and it proved very successful. Though the value of scrap metal has dropped dramatically we are conscious that collecting the scrap provides a valuable service for the community. It is planned that we will have a collection at the end of next week so anyone with metal items to be disposed of please ring 087 9538077 before Tuesday January 31st next.

 SCOR.

The Scor Sinnseair (Adult) GAA Talent competition in East Cork is being held in Lisgoold on Friday February the 5th. Scor comprises singing, dancing, music, ballad group, recitation and comedy act. Anyone interested in representing the Club please contact Mossy O Sullivan at 086 8354093.

 LOTTO.

The Weekly Jackpot for Tuesday January 17th was €8000. The four numbers drawn were 6,7,9 and 28 and there was no jackpot winner.

The winners of €30 each were Nora Murphy, Bartlemy, Hannah O Sullivan, Terramount, Maura O Donovan Kildinan, Deirdre Broderick Monanig and Bridie Mannix Bartlemy. The Jackpot for Tuesday January 24th was €8200. Tickets can be purchased in local  business outlets and from Club Member or online at locallotto.ie.

 GOOD LUCK COLMANS

We extend very best wishes to the St Colmans team and mentors who meet Midleton CBS in the Harty Cup semi final on Saturday nextJanuary the 28th. The game is fixed for Mallow at 1.30. Colmans defeated Midleton already in the 'group' stages of the Harty but Midleton won when the sides met in the O Callaghan Cup Final.

 MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2017.

Membership fees for the 2017 season are now being accepted from players  and non-players. It is essential for all players to have the membership fee paid before the playing season commences. Anyone who wishes to pay the Membership Fee by instalments will be accommodated to do so.

The Fees for 2017 are as follows;

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.

 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.

 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.

Old Helmets and Hurleys.

The Bride Rovers Juvenile Club are looking for any old hurling helmets that may be lying around and hurleys no longer in use. These will all help with the National Schools and Juvenile Club Academy coaching programme. If you any of these please contact any Juvenile Club Member.

SYMPATHY. 

Sympathy is extended to Valerie Cullotty and her husband Pat and family on the death of Valerie's mother Kay O Donovan of Ballyduff Upper, Co. Waterford. The Cullotty family have played a huge role in GAA and community life in our parish. We also extend our deepest sympathy to Damien Healy and his family on the death of Damien's father Sean Healy of Ballynonty, Killenaule , Co. Tipperary. Damien was a member of our 2016 East Cork Junior CHC winning side.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres

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