Championship Weekend.

It's a massive Hurling championship weekend for the Club with both Junior and Senior teams in action. This is truly the hurling time of year. Last weekend the focus of the country was on Thurles where Cork scored a brilliant double. Now it's back to local action this weekend before thoughts turn to our new GAA Stadium the following weekend.

JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

On Saturday evening we face Erins Own in the East Cork Junior A Grade Hurling championship in Watergrasshill at 7pm. We lost to Russell Rovers in the first round after a good game. We were actually well in control of the contest  for most of the first half but the Shanagarry side pulled away in the second half. Our Junior A team has given some outstanding displays in recent years but as a 'second' tem it's difficult to keep the same team together as players are promoted to the Senior team. Erins Own have figured prominently in the closing stages of this competition in recent years. They beat Cobh this year in a preliminary round before losing to Carrignavar in Round 1. They will be a hard side to beat but our lads can take great confidence from their display in Dungourney. The game is timed for 7pm Saturday evening with extra time if it ends in a draw. We wish team and mentors all the very best.

SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

It's back to Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday for the next round of the 2017 Cork Senior Hurling Championship. We take on Duhallow who like us have won a game and lost a game in the competition. We were well beaten by County Champions Glen Rovers in a preliminary round game before defeating Avondhu in our second game. That game in Castletownroche was a stiff test for us and no doubt Duhallow will be a very strong side. Backboned by Cork senior players Nash, Ellis and McLoughlin Duhallow defeated Youghal in their first game before losing out to Sarsfields. Most of the team have won County Titles at Minor and under 21 as a Divisional side so they play more like a Club team. Duhallow have made huge strides in the promotion of hurling over the last decade and their Divisional team is very well organised. We've had some great displays this year but against the Glen we were really out of it. Against Avondhu we stepped up a gear and another similar improvement will be needed next Sunday if we are to advance in the Championship. The fear and danger of being involved in a Relegation battle is gone so now the lads can fully express themselves with their brand of hurling. We are still short players due to injury but our panel is strong so the tram picked will give of their very best. The game is on in Pairc Ui Rinn  at 2.15 followed by the Erins Own v Muskerry game at 3.30. Go for it lads.

LOTTO JACKPOT AT €13,000.

The Weekly Club Lotto Jackpot for Tuesday July the 4th was €12,800. The four numbers drawn on the night were 4, 6, 17, 24 and there was no winner.
€30 went  to Anne Cahill, Rathcormac, Caroline Fitzgerald, Rathcormac, A.M. Carey, Monanig, Maurice Dooley and Mary Shelly Rathcormac. 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.

Update on u8 activity on the Club
Activity between training and matches continues apace for the under 8 players in the Club. Last weekend we played in a football blitz in Carrigtwohill. We had two teams present  consisting of 14 players who played 3 games each. We played exceptionally well and had a great mornings fun. The development of the skills and ability in this group of players in recent months has been brilliant with hopefully we have a few "Roches" of the future within them!
There are no further blitzes until mid August but training will continue on Wednesday nights at 6:30 and Saturdaymornings at 10am. We'll be concentrating on hurling for the next couple of weeks. All young boys born in 2009 and 2010 are very welcome to come along and learn how to enjoy playing hurling and football.

 MINORS

Minor activity has resumed now with the Exams but a distant memory. Last Friday night we travelled to passage for a Minor Football game against the home side. We were defeated on a scoreline of 5 9 to 2 7. Our opening game in the Minor Hurling championship has been fixed. We are down to play Ballygarvan in Mayfield on July the 28th at 7.30pm.

 WELL DONE BRIAN AND EOIN.

Last Sunday in Thurles was a proud and emotional day for the bride Rovers Club and for the Roche family of Gearagh, Kildinan. Twins Brian and Eoin Roche played major roles with the Cork Minor hurlers in winning the Munster Minor championship for the first time since 2008. The Roches have starred with both the Cork Minors and under 17 teams this year and now have completed a Provincial double. The last Bride Rovers player to win a Munster MHC medal with Cork was Brian Murphy in 2000. That year Cork defeated Limerick in the Final in Thurles by 2 19 to 1 10. Cork contested the All Ireland Final that year, losing narrowly to Galway. Well done to Brian and Eoin and to Diarmuid, Barry and Liam from our neighbouring Clubs. Well done also to Denis Ring - what an amount of work he as has put in to Cork Minor teams over the last 3 years. The atmosphere in Thurles last Sunday was magic, it seemed that the Red and White outnumbered the Clare supporters by at least 4 to 1. The Cork Seniors made it a memorable double with Colm Spillane of Castlelyons starring once again. Both teams are now in All Ireland semi finals in Mid August -it will be a short road to Dublin!

CORK under 17 HURLERS.

Eoin and Brian Roche next turn their attention to the All Ireland under 17 Hurling semi final. Cork will meet |Galway on July 27th, another day on the road for the Bride Rovers Supporters.

WILLIE COTTER RIP.

In March 1932 Bride Rovers Junior hurlers defeated Gurtrue in the first round of the East Cork Junior Hurling Championship. That was the week when Willie Cotter was born. His parents were Laurence Cotter and his wife Margaret (nee Hoskins) of Baneena, Bartlemy. The Bride Rovers Club had been formed just four years previously, in the Autumn of 1928. From the time he first played Minor with the club in 1948 until he last played Junior B hurling in the early 1970's Willie was an ever-present on teams with our Club. He wasn't just a player, he served as a selector on many teams and as supporters went he was one of the best. He didn't win many medals during the late 40's or the 50's but he was so thrilled and proud to be involved in the 1966/68 and 69 winning teams. He was always fine and relaxed, never a cross word was heard from him and in victory or defeat he came out smiling. Willie Cotter was one of the stalwarts of community life in Bartlemy for over six decades. He served every voluntary organisation in the parish selflessly and was great neighbour. He took immense pride in seeing the Club prosper in recent years, progressing to Senior level. Willie was in poor health with several years and died last Friday. He was waked at home and taken to Bartlemy Church on Sunday. On Monday he was buried in Gortroe cemetery with his late wife Betty. Not far from his final resting place are his cousin and sparring partner Bill Ryan and men who wore the green, white and gold with him -Moss and Paddy O Regan and Tony O Brien. Rest aisy now Willie, you have fought the good fight, ran the good race and kept the faith. We extend sincere sympathy to Willies son Laurence, daughter Isabella, son in law John and his grandchildren.

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 until July 19th. With the All Ireland Hurling Quarter Finals fixed for Cork on Sat and Sun July 22nd and 23rd this a great chance to have a top class ticket for these games.

MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2017.

Membership fees for the 2017 season are still 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

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres

                                                                      Fermoy Print & Design

                                                                      Veolia Environmental Services.