Great Hurling as Seniors win and Juniors Lose..

It was hectic hurling championship weekend for the Club with both Senior and  Junior teams in action. The Senior team overcame Avondhu after a gripping game on Saturday evening. On Sunday night our Junior  A Team were beaten by six points by Russell Rovers after a brave performance. Both teams displayed admirable skill and plenty spirit, well done to the 36 players involved.  The Seniors now advance to the last 16 in the County Championship while the Junior team will await a back-door game in East Cork. A word of thanks to our supporters who travelled to Castletownroche and Dungourney in huge numbers.

Cork County Senior Hurling Championship.

Bride Rovers 1 19 Avondhu 0 19.

Castletownroche was the magnificent setting on Saturday evening for our Round 2B game against the North Cork Divisional side Avondhu.  We met Avondhu here last year in Round A clash which meant the winners and losers progressed to different stages of the competition. We actually ended up getting a bye to the Quarter Final which we lost to Douglas. This year it was a 'winner take all' clash and slán leat for the loser. On the same weekend earlier in the year we were well beaten by County Champions Glen Rovers while Avondhu barely fielded a skeleton team before going under to Carbery. During the two weeks before the game we all heard rumours that Avondhu wouldn't have a team but this was never going to be the case. True they hadn't trained much collectively but the clubs of all the North Cork players are all still involved in Championships at different grades so fitness and hurling skill was never going to be lacking. So it proved as we were put to the pin of our collars to win this one.

Brian Coniry of Crosshaven threw in the sliothar at 7.30 and we were on the attack from the start. It fell to Barry Johnson to open the scoring with a good point from a free. Michael Collins collected a great clearance from Liam Forde before he doubled our tally. Avondhu looked very dangerous on the attack and after four minutes Fermoy's Liam Coleman showed his accuracy when opening the Divisional side's tally from a free. Over the hour Coleman hit eight points from frees and 1 from a 65. The game took a turn in our favour in thee sixth minute. After great defensive work by Shane Kearney and Brian Murphy Barry Johnson was up in a good attacking position when fouled. Team captain Daniel Dooley sent the resultant free all the ways to the back of the net 1 2 to  0 1 ahead. Coleman raised two more white flags before Richard Whitty and Stephen Glasgow pointed to leave us 1 4 to 0 3 ahead. Avondhu took their tally to 6 points but two frees from Barry kept us 1 6 to 0 6. Avondhu then hit four-in-a-row from Charleville's Jack Barry, Clyda's Chris Buckley, Kilworth's Noel McNamara and Liam Coleman.. We hit a total of seven wides in the first half as our forwards were under constant pressure from the North Cork rearguard. With our full-back line covering well in front of Dinny Fitz  we enjoyed plenty possession but never looked like building up a substantial lead. Three great points from Ryan Prendergast, Richard Whitty and Daniel Dooley saw us 1 10 to 0 10 in front approaching the short whistle. Avondhu trimmed our lead to the bare minimum with the last two points of the half to leave us 1 10 to 0 12 ahead. Considering we had twice held a four point lead we probably should have been further ahead but the challenge of the Avondhu men was very forceful right throughout the game. Liam Coleman leveled the game soon after the throw in and then Avondhu went ahead for the first time. Substitute Stephen Condon from Harbour Rovers shot a great point. While Barry Johnson struck an equalising point straight away the game seemed to swing in Avondhu's favour for most of the third quarter. We lost our way a little as the Divisional team powered into the contest. Points from the Fermoy duo of Liam Coleman and Kieran Morrisson saw them lead by 0 17 to 1  12. With a June exit from the Championship staring our lads in the face they did what this team is renowned for - they simply tore into the game and every player upped the ante with great, crisp hurling. We took control at midfield and in the last quarter we raised the white flag seven times.  From the backline Shane Walsh sent over a beauty as did Cian O Connor after a great passing movement. Michael Collins and Richard Whitty added scores before Dinny sent over a free from a hundred yards out. Daniel Dooley from a free put us up four but Avondhu hit two points to see us holding on to a dangerous two point lead as time ticked away. Our captain restored our three point lead, 1 19 to  19 as the game went into injury time. Avondhu came looking for an equalising goal but the backs held out for an exciting win.  As was mentioned afterwards 'twas a three-in-one victory because it ensures we won't be stuck in a relegation battle, we go forward in the championship and we are guaranteed Senior status for 2018 and 2019. Well done to the nineteen players who took part in the game and to all the panel and Joe, Tom, Daniel and William and the other backroom staff. The 'experts' said it would be easy but there's nothing easy in Senior Hurling and the boys from North Cork clubs gave a huge effort for Avondhu on the night.

Last year we had a six point winning margin but a win is a win. Now we will have to await the Draw for the next round where we will be joined by the other clubs that won a game and lost a game, while the teams that have already won two games are a step ahead of us.

Team & Scorers; D. Fitzgerald ( 0 1,free), T. O Sullivan, Donncha Carr, S. Kearney, L. Forde, b. Murphy, S. Walsh(0 1), C. O Connor (0 2), B. Johnson ( 0 4, 3 from frees), S. Glasgow (0 1), D. Dooley Captain ( 1 4, 1 2 from frees), R. Whitty (0 3), M. Collins ( 0 2), S. Hackett, R. Prendergast (0 1) Subs; J. Mannix, S O'Connor, M. Liddane, DJ Cahill. The weekend of July 15th/16th is probably the earliest date for our next game in the Championship.

When we played Avondhu last year our team and scorers were as follows;  D. Fitzgerald (0 1), R. Prendergast, D. Carr, S. Kearney, M. Kearney, Brian Murphy Captain, S. Walsh (0 1), B. Johnson (1 8, 1 6 frees), J. Pratt, M. Collins (1 1), R. Whitty (01), S. Glasgow, W. Finnegan, D. Dooley (0 3, 0 1 free), S. Ryan.

Subs DJ Cahill, M. Liddane, S. O Connor. 

I was in Ballyhea Monday night and met jack Russell and his former Ballyhea team-mate Willie Shanahan.  We had some mighty hurling talk. Jack follows every game the Rovers play and with his own club now Senior - they play Bishopstown next, he is as enthusiastic as ever about the greatest game on earth.

East Cork Junior A grade Hurling Championship.

On Sunday night we travelled to Jamsey Kelleher Park in Dungourney to take on Russell Rovers in the first round of the 2016 East Cork Junior A Championship. With twenty one players already having played Senior championship we still fielded a strong team for this tie against the Shanagarry/Ballycotton side. We started very well though playing against the breeze with Owen Murphy and       Jason Pratt dominating at midfield. Frank Hogan helped with his massive puck outs and a great Brennie O Driscoll goal after ten minutes put us 1 2 to 0 2 ahead. With Damian Buckley scoring some good frees and raising a green flag from a penalty we led by 2 5 to 1 7 after twenty five minutes. At half time it was level pegging, Bride Rovers 2 6, Russell Rovers 1 9.  The other Rovers got a great start to the second half with four unanswered points before Owen and Damian reduced the margin to two after ten minutes. Russell Rovers then got on top and scored five more points to our two, from two frees by Damian.  That left the final score at Russell Rovers 1 18 Bride Rovers 2 10. It was really a top class display from our lads considering we were up against a strong 'first' team. Well done lads- we will know on next Sundayevening who our opponents will be in the next round.

Team v Russell Rovers Frank Hogan, Fergus Collins, Brian Collins, Tomas Kearney, Jakub Macak, Brendan Walsh, Barry Collins, Jason Pratt, James Murphy, Stephen Pratt, Damien Buckley, Owen Murphy Sean Ryan, Brennie O Driscoll, Jake Tobin. Subs: Jack Connor, Colm Howard, Jack Kearney. Well done to Oliver and Dave for all the work with this team. We are unbeaten after six games in Div 2 of the East Cork JHL. We have 3 games left to play, at home to Youghal and away to Cloyne and Midleton.

East Cork  JHL Div.3

WE played Killeagh in our opening game of the Division 3 League Campaign in Rathcormac last Friday  It was a good contest with the visitors winning by 1 19 to 2 12.  The team V Killeagh was as follows:   Maurice Dooley, James Barry, Jim O’Connor, Shane O’Flynn, Brian Lahive, Gavin O’Flynn, Colm Howard, Colm Power, Stephen Boyce, Jerome O’Driscoll, Alan O’Keeffe, Terry Broderick, Dylan Browne, Richie Cahill, Donal Pyne, Ian O’Donoghue, Ciaran O’Grady and James Murphy. We were fixed to play Dungourney, away, last night Wednesday June the 28th but as they were unable to field this game went off.

Minor Games.

With the Exams now over it's back to the playing fields for the Minors. Unfortunately for us our scheduled Minor Hurling League game v St Colmans on Monday night last went off. We are fixed to play passage in Minor Football, away on Monday next July the 3rd.

BUSY DAY ON SATURDAY FOR JUVENILES.

Next Saturday July the 1st promises to be a very busy day for our juvenile Club. Our under 11 hurlers will be on the road early, travelling to Celbridge, Co Kildare for a big Tournament. Meanwhile at Pairc na Bride four under 14 teams will contest a Tournament for the Teresa Walsh Memorial Cup.

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 fro 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.

Celbridge Tournament. Four groups of three teams will participate. We are in Group B with the following timetable;

10.30 Celbridge v Naonh Barrog

11.20 Naomh Barrog v Bride Rovers

12.10  Bride Rovers v Celbridge.  Best of luck lads and safe travelling to all.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for Tuesday June the 20th was €12,400 and the four numbers drawn were 6, 9, 23,28 -there was  no winner
€30 each to; Paudie Collins, Mullintoura, Karie O'Leary, Ballyreidy, TN Barry, Gneeves, E&P Healy, Terramount, Liam Cotter, @F.Redz. 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.

Minor Hurling Championship Cork v  Tipperary.

On tonight Thursday June the 29th Cork minor hurlers face Tipperary in the Munster semi final at Semple Stadium in Thurles. It's a proud night for our club with the Roche twins Brian and Eoin wearing the Red and White of Cork. It's the first time since 1933 that we've had two players  on the Cork Minor team. Best of luck to ye lads and to all the Cork panel and mentors.

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.

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

In 1966 Bride Rovers won the East Cork Junior B Gradew championship for the first time ever. For the 1967 season the team went up to A Grade and Castlemartyr were the team we were drawn against. The Reds were very strong at this time having contested the 1963 and 64 County Junior Hurling finals, winning in 1964 with a one point victory over Cloughduv. The first round game v Castlemartyr was played in Midleton.  The Rovers were 4 1 to 1 4 behind at half time. The second half of a high scoring game was even enough with Castlemartyr winning in the end by three points, 7 3 to 5 5. They went all the way to the East Cork Final, losing to Killeagh after a replay.  1967 did bring Tournament success to the Club however defeating Fermoy (5 6 5 3)  and Castlelyons (5 10  4 5) in the Rathcormac Final. The teams in that Tournament were;V Fermoy, P.Hoskins, T.Walsh, P.O Regan, T. Barry, D. Cotter, P. Murphy, B. Hogan, T. O Riordan, T. Maher, T. O Brien, S. Murphy, B. O Connell, E. Hoskins, D. Canty, J. Gettings. Subs B. Dorgan, D. Foley, D. Murphy and Willie Cotter.

V Castlelyons. J. Gettings, T. Walsh, W. Sheehan, M. Twomey, P.Murphy,S. Murphy, B. Hogan, T. O riordan, T. Maher, J. Meade, S. Barry, P. Hoskins, F. Meade, J. Barry, E. Barry. Subs; W. Cotter, D. Shelley, D. Murphy, P. Sheehan and Derry Cottter.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres

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