Thrilling Wins For Under 21s and Minors...

 'Don't talk about soccer or rugby or cricket,

Or such foreign games for they're not on my ticket;

With our old-fashioned pastime, their best we can lick it,

For all their amusements are lazy and lame,

What we want here is some frolic and fun

For Irishmen all and for everyone,

Sport with a dash in it, clatter and clash in it,

Something with ash in it, surely a game'

 Those lines from the poem 'The Game of The Gaels' were written by Phil O Neill many, many years ago. He wasn't so much condemning other sports as praising hurling and all it's skills and tradition. Last weekend many locals were lucky to be in Castlelyons on Saturday evening and in Mayfield on Monday night to witness two absolutely thrilling exhibitions of hurling. Where on earth would you get 81 scores in two games? A total of 11 70 was notched up by four outstanding teams who played to a standstill. Over the years we've often played in great games, produced outstanding hurling but lost out by a point or two like the game v Killeagh in 1971 that we lost by a point, the 1973 East Cork Final replay v Erins Own in 1973 which we lost by a point and the 2008 Co. Senior Final v Sars that we lost by a point. That's the heartbreak of sport , the 'what-ifs' and the 'maybes' but last weekend we had two great results and great credit to all the players but especially the 'magnificent Seven' , the seven lads who lined out with both teams; Ben, Jordan, Eoin, Griffin, Conleith, Brian and Conor.

Under 21 Hurling East Cork Championship.

Bride Rovers 3 19 Aghada 3 17.

What a game and what a team performance  by our under 21 hurling team last Saturday night at Pairc An tAthair Peadar O Laoighaire in Castlelyons. The teams were level on five occasions during the game as the played ebbed and flowed. We led by five point 0 7 to 0 2 after twelve minutes with our early scores coming from Conor Barry 5, four from frees, Griffin O Keeney and a point from a William Finnegan 65. Gradually Aghada began hitting over points and it 0 9 each after 23 minutes, our two points came from William Finnegan frees. Aghada went a point ahead before a great goal from Jake Tobin restored our lead. Conor put us three ahead before Aghada goaled to level the game, 1 10 each. The Seasiders had the last point of the half to lead  by 1 11 to 1 10 at the break after a mighty first half. They doubled their lead on the resumption. A spell of brilliant hurling saw Brian Roche add 2 1 without to give us a four point lead. Our backline was under pressure all the time but the defence played great passing hurling to get the sliotar out. Back came Aghada and by the 16th minute it was level again 3 12 ( our twelfth point coming from Jesse Barry O Keeffe) to 2  15. Cian O Connors penalty shot was saved and the Aghada keeper also made great saves from Brian and Cian in general play. Twice Aghada took the lead but pointed frees from Wm Finnegan kept the scores level. With 7 minutes left Aghada raised a green flag from a penalty to go two ahead , 3 16 to 3 14. It was real backs to the wall stuff now as both teams fought out the last few minutes with fierce spirit. We reeled off five points -Conleith Ryan with one from play and three from frees. His points came either side of a white flag by Ryan Prendergast. The teams were actually level at 3 1`7 each with just two minutes left but Conleith's final two points left us winners by 3 19 to 3 17. What a game of hurling this was. Well done to two great teams for such a display. Well done lads, ye did the jersey proud and well done to the team mentors Stephen, Brian, Richie, Dominic and Barry.

Team and scorers; B. Hogan, J. Mannix, R. Prendergast, T. O Sullivan, E. Roche, W. Finnegan 0 5, (04 frees 0 1 65), S. Walsh, S. O Connor, G. O Keeney0 1, C. O Connor, C. Ryan 0 4 (03 frees), J. Tobin 1 0, C. Barry  0 6(0 4frees), DJ Cahill, B. Roche 2 1. Subs J. Connor and J.B O Keeffe.

Four teams now remain in this championship, ourselves Castlelyons, Watergrasshill and Carrigtwohill with semi final draw due to be made on Wed August the 3rd.

Rebel Og Minor A Hurling Championship.

Bride Rovers 3 16

Ballygarvan 2 18.

Going into this first round championship game in Mayfield on Monday night both teams were unbeaten in the League so the expectations were that  it was going to be a very tight game. With 13 players on the age of 18 the team from the South East were physically very strong but our lads approached the game in a determined mood.

Playing with a strong breeze in our favour we had a perfect start when Brian Roche billowed the net early on. Conleith hit over a free before Ballygarvan had two points, one from a free. Then a great move upfield involving Eoin and Conleith  saw Brian hand passing to Shane O Flynn for our second goal. Points from Conor (free) Eoin and Brian made it 2 4 to 0 6 in our favour. Our full back line despite giving away height advantage played very well, hooking and blocking and clearing. A third goal scored by Conor Barry saw us 3 6 to 0 7 ahead nearing half time. Then just before the short whistle Ballygarvan goaled from a penalty to cut our eight point lead to just five, 3 6 to  1 7. With the aid of the breeze in the second half Ballygarvan hit over two early points and our lead was down to a goal. The last twenty minutes of the game were absolutely hectic end to end stuff. Conor Barr restored our four point lead from a free - his accuracy from placed balls proved vital as on four occasions he split the posts. Three times the margin was down to two points but white flags from Conor, Griffin, Brian and Shane took our final tally to 3 16 with time nearly up. We were holding that four point lead with Ballygarvan on 1 18 but in added time they scored a goal. It was all up to the referee now but we held on for a one point victory after a titanic struggle. It was sweet win for a very determined team.

Team and scorers;B. Hogan, , J. O Sullivan, J. Mannix, T. Murray, P. O Leary, P.O Flynn, M. Quinn, E. Roche 1 1, G. O Keeney0  4,  C. Hogan, C. Ryan 0 1 , K. Kearney, B. Roche 0 3, S. O Flynn  1 1,  C. Barry  1  6. R O Sullivan, , S. Knox, M. Friel, S. Ahern, F. Sheehan, C. Coleman, CO Callaghan.

Rebel Og Under 13 football semi final.

On Saturday our under 13 football team were at home to St Vincents in the semi final of the Championship. The team put on a great exhibition of attacking football from the start. Goals from Adam, Josh, Cillian Tobin(2), Cillian B and Seweryn helped the team to an easy win on a scoreline of  6 15 to 1 3. Well done lads on a great game. The ream is now through to the final against either Midleton or Bantry Blues.

Fixtures; August 9th under 14 hurling league away to Erins Own at 7.30

August 12th under 13 Premier 1 Hurling League semi final v St Finbarrs at 3pm.

CUL CAMP.

The Juvenile Club's annual Cul Camp was held last week in the Main pitch and was an outstanding success. A special thanks to Annemarie Knox who put a huge amount of work into organising the Bride Rovers Cul Camp for 2017. Thanks also to Trish O'Flynn for her help in supporting Annemarie on the administration side. Thanks to head coach Jason Pratt and also to his team of young trainers who did a great job in making the Cul Camp enjoyable for all. Finally thanks to all the parents who helped out in various ways during the week. 

The Coaches who helped out all week were :-Jason Pratt, Eoin Roche, Brian Roche, Griffin O'Keeney, Shane O'Connor, Conor Barry, Sean Knox, Shane O'Flynn, Paddy O'Flynn, Shane Walsh, Cian Hogan, Jordan Mannix, Rory O'Sullivan, Frank Hogan, Tadgh O'Sullivan, Jamie Barry. It's great to see the talented hurlers in the Club taking such an  interest in our under age players. A sincere 'thank you' to each and every one of the coaches.

BUSY TIMES FOR BRIAN AND EOIN.

What a hectic time it is for the Roche twins, Brian and Eoin! This night week they starred with the Cork under 17 hurlers in Thurles when the Rebels came from behind in a thrilling game to pip Galway in the All Ireland semi final. Then on Saturday night they lined out for us in the Under 21 championship. Two nights later they played vital roles on our minor hurling team. The next two  Sundays they travel to Croke Park for major games with Cork. On Sunday next it's the Under 17 All Ireland Final against Dublin. Dublin had a great campaign in Leinster and with so many of their Minor team in the under 17 team will be favourites. Cork have had a good four match campaign and have played some great hurling all through the summer. We wish Brian and Eoin and all the Cork side the very best on Sunday. The following Sunday then it's back to Croke Park again for the twins with the Cork Minor side who also meet Dublin.

CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for July 27th was €13,400 and the four numbers drawn were14,15, 28, 30 - there was no winner. €30 each  to Dan Dooley, Snr, Laura Murphy, Ballinahina, Donal O'Leary, Ballybrowney, Mark O'Driscoll, Castlelyons and Mary McCarthy @ Laya

The Jackpot for Tuesday August 1st was €13,600.

 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.

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

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