Championship Action on the Double...

Well Tipp and Waterford are 'bate', there's a lot of hay saved so it's back to the important matter of the Club championships this weekend. We are doubly involved with both our Senior and Junior hurling teams in championship action. For the Junior team who face Russell Rovers it's the first time out while the Seniors, having lost to Glen Rovers in a preliminary round game, face Avondhu in a vital tie. First into action will be the Senior team on Saturday evening when they travel to Castletownroche to meet Avondhu. Last year we had a similar fixture which we won. The backdrop was different thought in 2016 as both Avondhu and ourselves had won our opening games so the Castletownroche game meant both the winners and losers still went forward in the Championship. It's different this time around as we lost to  the Glen and the North Cork Divisional side lost to Carbery. Since our defeat to the Glen the panel has regrouped well but unfortunately we've picked up a few serious injuries which make this game a much more difficult assignment altogether. We've had a couple of good league wins but we must expect a big challenge from Avondhu on their home soil. The game has half seven throw in on Saturday night so let's hope for a huge vocal support on the night. It won't be easy but go for it lads.

Less than twenty four hours later our Junior A hurling team is in East Cork championship action. We travel to Dungourney to meet Russell Rovers in a first round game. This being our second team we will go in as complete outsiders. We were relegated to Div 2 of the League for this year and so far have a had a great run in this competition. Our Shanagarry opponents however are unbeaten in Div 1 of the East Cork League. Our Junior team is a nice mix of experienced and younger players so go for it lads.

JUNIOR HURLING.

The Junior A team had two games last week as the real summer weather came to stay.

Skehenarinky were visitors for a challenge game which we won. Then on last Saturday night we travelled to the Youghal GAA Club ground at Magnier's Hill to play St. Itas from Gortroe in a JHL Div. 2 game. We won this contest by  0 18 to 1  11. Team; F. Hogan, T. Kearney,B. Collins, F. Collins, B. Collins, B. Walsh, K. Macak, J. Murphy, J. Pratt, S. Ryan, D. Buckley, C. Howard, J. Connor, B. O   Driscoll, J.Mannix, B. Lahive, P. Noonan, S. O Flynn.

U 13 Hurling.

Bride Rovers 1 10 Douglas 0 4.

On Wednesday evening of las week Douglas were visitors for an Underr 13 Premier League game. It was cold and dark evening but our lad played some great hurling. In a low scoring first half a goal from Ben Knox proved to be a vital breakthrough for us. We led by 1 4 to 0 1 at the break. Douglas started the second half in whirlwind fashion mounting several attacks but good defensive hurling from our backline kept the city forwards at bay. We tacked on a further six points while Douglas added three. It was a good win in difficult conditions. Well done lads. Next up for the u 13 team is an away game against Midleton on Wednesday next June 28th.

Theresa Walsh Memorial Under 14 Hurling Tournament.

On Saturday July the 1st the club will stage the Theresa Walsh Tournament for under 12 hurling commencing at 10.30 am. Theresa died last year after a ling illness. She was a great and proud member of the Bride Rovers Club. 'Match on -will travel' was her motto for so many years as herself and Ollie travelled, literally, the length and breadth of the  country following Rovers teams from under 12, to ladies to the Senior team. She was terrific character and win, draw or lose always had a beaming smile. Her legacy to our Club is in her children and grandchildren who are involved in every facet of Bride Rovers. The Under 14 hurling Tournament is truly a Bride Valley tournament -the countryside that Theresa dearly loved, as Ballyduff, Castlelyons, St. Catherines and Bride Rovers will take participate.

Under 9's Football and Hurling

Our under 9 football team played Glenville last Saturday. On a very warm day both teams produced top class football, full of endeavour and spirit. It is brilliant to see lads at this age wearing the green white and gold and really enjoying playing the games. On Saturday Glenville proved winners by a narrow margin.

On this Saturday coming June 24th our attention turns to under 9 hurling when we travel to Pairc Risteard Ui Chinneide in Killeagh to meet the home team.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot on Tuesday June the 13th was € 12,200 and the four numbers drawn were 9,16,19 and 31 and there was no Jackpot winner. The winners of €30 each were Peter O Keeffe, Bartlemy, Caoimhe Arnold, Mondaniel, Ashling Walsh Shanowen, Barry Murphy Raheen and Geraldine Ahern Hightown. The Jackpot for Tuesday June the 20th was €12,400.

Tickets for just €2 can be got from Club members, on local businesses or online at locallotto.ie Your continued support for the weekly Lotto is deeply appreciated.

IHC IN PITCH.

On a balmy evening Kildorrery and St. Finbarrs met in Pairc na Bride on Monday night last. Both clubs had lost their first round IHC games so this was a 'last chance' game. It was marvellous, end to end contest. Though this was the Barrs second string they had some fine hurlers on display. Kilderrery led by two points at the break but four white flags on the trot swathe city side ahead. For the last twenty minutes it a stirring game. At the end it took a superb save from teenager Ian Butler in the Kildorrery goal to save last years finalists from an early exit in 2017. At the game I met Kildorrery stalwart Tom Monaghan who was goalie on the Cork Intermediate team that won the All Ireland in 1965 - a team that featured our own Seanie Barry. One of the St Finbarrs selectors was peter Doolan, a team-mate of Seanie on the 1966 Cork Senior All Ireland winning team. Also at the game was veteran Cork comedian Billa O Connell -an avid Barrs fan. Billa had two grandsons, Bill O Connell and Eoghan Hill playing with the city side. Thanks to all who stewarded on the night.

CAR BOOT SALE.

A reminder that the Parish Devp. Fund Car Boot Sale goes ahead next Sunday June 25th.

WELL DONE REBELS.

Two played and two won -that's Cork's record to date in the Munster Championship. At Thurles on Sunday the Cork hurlers followed the win over Tipp with a mighty victory over fancied Waterford.

 It's on now to the Munster final against Clare. Games like last Sunday and the Tipperary contest typify knockout Munster Championship hurling. Isn't it absolute madness and folly to reduce this competition to a Round-robin Munster League? It is  utter stupidity in my mind, as Donal O Grady wrote recently 'They are fixing the two things that are not broken in hurling - the Leinster and Munster Championships'.

EXAMS.

Best wishes to all those who are finishing the Leaving and Junior Cert Exams.

IMOKILLY GAA DRAW.

The East Cork GAA Board are currently running a Development Draw. Tickets are €10 with prizes which include Premium Tickets in the new Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Tickets are available from Club Officers.

FIXTURES.

Sat June 24th Co SHC V Avondhu in Castletownroche,7.30pm

Sun June 25th, JAHC V Russell Rovers in Dungourney, 7.30pm.

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.

WELL DONE FERMOY.

Fermoy are back on track in the 2017 PIHC following their impressive win over Tracton last weekend.

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

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