Good Luck St. Colmans...

Next Saturday St. Colmans College Fermoy contest the Dr. Harty Cup final in Munster Senior Hurling against Templemore.  On nine occasions in the past the hurlers of St Colmans have lifted the Harty Cup- symbol of supremacy in Colleges Hurling in the province of Munster. St. Colmans won the title for the first time in 1948 after a three game saga against Jimmy Smith inspired St Flannans of Ennis. Indeed when Colmans trailed by 4 4 to 1 2 at half time a first victory looked impossible. Like so many other occasions down the years Colmans showed great spirit in the second half to win by 6 4 to 4  6. Further titles followed in 1949, 1977,1992,1996, 1997 and the three in a row of 2001 to 2003. With fourteen years Colmans have strived in vain to win the Harty Cup and on Saturday they are back in the Final.  The so-called 'experts' and pundits have made Templemore overwhelming favourites and I suppose this favouritism is justified with the talent available to the North Tipperary College. With a liberal sprinkling of last years' (All Ireland champions) and this year's County Minors they have blazed into the final chalking up huge scores. St Colmans have been impressive too with a mean defence, the Colmans team overall is much younger than the Tipp side but Colmans will give a good account of themselves on Saturday. Down the years many Bride Rovers players have starred with Colmans and on Saturday we have a total of nine players on the panel. We wish all the lads and everyone on the panel and team mentors all the very best. Back in 1920 St Colmans go to the Harty final for the first time ever - the Harty Cup was played for firstly ion 1918.  The Final between Colmans and Limerick CBS was fixed for the Mardyke in Cork on the last Saturday in May. Due to torrential rain it was postponed until Sat June 5th in the Markets Field in Limerick where the local side beat the Fermoy College on a scoreline of 7 goals to 3 goals, it was the only Harty Final ever where no point was scored. In a Cork Examiner preview of the game on the previous day the writer  used his knowledge of Latin by quoting Palmam qui meruit ferat  which means 'Let whoever earns the palm bear it'. We hope that on Saturday the palm of victory will come to St. Colmans College Fermoy.

CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING.

The second Club Executive meeting of 2017 took place on  Monday February 13th with an extensive agenda. It was a well attended and lively meeting. Amongst the items discussed were the Co Senior Hurling League, the new format for the County JAHC and JAFC, Club Lotto and Sports Prediction Quiz, work in the pitches, Publicity for the Adult and Juvenile Clubs, Scor, First Aid Course, house to house Promotional Leaflet, Astro Turf , fixtures and of course St Colmans in the Harty Cup Final on Saturday.  Ways of increasing sales of our Weekly Lotto Tickets were also discussed.

SPORTS PREDICTION QUIZ.

Last year as part of our Club Fundraising we held a Sports Prediction Quiz for the first time. It was a great success with Dave Burke getting the most of the  Predictions correct. We are promoting the Sports Prediction Quiz again this year. The Tickets are now on sale at just €10 each. The Closing date is March the 10th. The Tickets can be purchased from any Club Member.

 WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot on Tuesday February the 7th was €8600 and the numbers drawn were 3,7,17 and 19 - there was no jackpot winner. The winners of €30 each were Connie Barry, Rathcormac, Evelyn Ahern Bartlemy, Tom Murphy Bartlemy, Denis  |Mulcahy Bartlemy and Tony in Shanowen.

The Jackpot for Tuesday February the14th was €8800. Tickets are just €2 each and can be bought from Club Members, in local business outlets and online at locallotto.ie. An Annual Ticket for €90 is also available.

 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. Our Club IT Committee are presently looking at the full range of Promotional techniques available with a view to upgrading and improving our Public Relations output.

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.

2017 RED FM County Senior Hurling League Fixtures.

 Bride Rovers v Newtownshandrum In Rathcormac 5/3/2017

Bride Rovers v Erins Own in Rathcormac 12/3/2017

Bride Rovers v St Finbarrs in Togher 26/3/2017

Bride Rovers v Douglas in Douglas 9/4/2017

Bride Rovers v Sars in Rathcormac 23/4/2017

Bride Rovers v Blackrock in Church Road 7/5/2017

VOTES OF SYMPATHY.

At Monday night's Executive meeting votes of sympathy were passed to the Lane family on the death of Rita Murphy, to Mike Liddane on the death of his uncle, to the O Sullivan family of Rathaneague on the death of Anne's father John Cussen and to James Murphy Greenhall on the death of his two uncles Joe and Batt O Keeffe. Joe O Keeffe was a great supporter of the club and was very involved in the club in the late 19590's. A vote of sympathy was also passed to the Kearney family of Curraghprevin on the death of Geraldine's aunt.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS          Rathcormac Tyres

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