Double Glory in Croke Park...

 The Saw Doctors had a hit a few years back with the song 'To Win Just Once', all about facing obstacles and winning against the odds. The last two lines of the song are

Time is passing so come on
And face the ball, the game is on

 well in Croke Park last Sunday the Cork Under 17hurling team faced up to all the obstacles presented by Dublin and came out on top by a margin of two points. It was a historic even an emotional day for the Bride Rovers Club as for the first time ever it was two Bride Rovers players who made that joyous walk up the steps of the Hogan Stand to accept the All Ireland trophy. Since the start of the Munster campaign Cork manager John Considine and his selectors have rotated the Captaincy between different players. For this historic, first ever Under 17 Final Brian Roche was given the honour and along with his twin brother Eoin they raised the trophy for a gallant and talented Cork team. The twins have had an unbelievable season with Club, College and County. Over last winter and spring they starred with the St. Colmans Harty and Dean Ryan teams in extended seasons. Then since April they have proudly worn the Red jersey of Cork with both Under 17 and Minor teams. They give their all to Club and County-this was well illustrated recently when they played the All Ireland u 17 semi final v Galway in Thurles on a Thursday night, Under 21 with us v Aghada on the Saturday and two nights later played Minor for the Rovers v Ballygarvan.

With the Minor Grade at Inter County reverting from under 18 to under 17 next year the All Ireland Under 17 competition was introduced this year for boys who would 'miss out' next year on representing their County at Minor level. For Cork it has been a phenomenal success with Eoin and Brian starring all the way and donning the Minor jersey as well. Cork had wins in Munster over Limerick (0 16 to 0 6), Tipperary (2 22 to 2 9) and Waterford (3 13 to 1 12). The Munster Final in Fraher Field, Dungarvan was on April the 25th and Cork's next game was this night forth night in Thurles against Galway. After a cliff hanger Cork qualified for the final. It was huge honour for the Cork lads to play in Croke park on Sundaylast against a Dublin team after a great Leinster campaign which culminated in beating Kilkenny in the Provincial Final.

It was bit surreal in Croke Park at half 11 last Sunday. A near empty stadium yet the sense of anticipation was huge. I heard a comment that " there were more in Croke Park from the Rovers than supporting Dublin" and in fairness we had close on 50 there to support Brian and Eoin and the Cork team. With a good sprinkling of the two minor teams on show it was always going to be close game -since early this year the news on the 'hurling grapevine' was that the Dubs fancied their chances of taking this title. When they opened up an early three point lead things looked ominous for Cork but the young Rebels fought back well. After Dublin goaled from a penalty Cork responded brilliantly and Castlemartyr's Joe Stack raised a green flag at a vital stage before half-time. The second half was a ding-dong battle. As usual Eoin and Brian were central to the play; blocking, hooking, passing the sliotar and they both starred in Cork's narrow  1 19 to 1  17. It was great win for a mighty bunch of lads. In fairness this was no overnight success with the foundations laid through the Development Squads in recent years. My first visit to Croke Park was in 1972 and since then I have been lucky to witness many Cork players lift All Ireland trophies for Club and County but last Sunday was so special. Why do we give days, weeks, months, years and decades of our lives to the GAA? Days like this make it all worth while. In recent years at Club Level Bride Rovers have had fantastic wins and every player starts and finishes with the Club but to lead Cork to an All Ireland is truly fantastic. As Brian and Eoin came up those steps last Sunday there were tears in many Bride Rovers members eyes as we were there to see history being made. Well done to Brian and Eoin, wonderful ambassadors for the Club and of course to Donal, Eileen and Emma

Congrats to all the Cork players especially Eoin Davis of St Catherines, Aaron Barry Walsh of Carrig, Midleton's Tommy O Connell and Sean O Sullivan, Joe Stack of Castlemartyr, Shane O Regan of the Hill and Sars' Killian Murphy. John Considine, Donal Burke and Sean Crowley deserve great credit for the management of the team.

On next Sunday it's back to Croke Park for Brian and Eoin with the Cork Minors. The Cup was presented to the Roche brothers by GAA President-elect John Horan. Dublin again provide the opposition in the All Ireland semi-final with Galway awaiting the winners. Best of luck lads. There will be a mass exodus from the parish on Sunday so safe travelling to all on the roads.

Two More All Ireland Medals.

On Monday at Tullamore Cork Ladies football teams had a double victory. The Senior team had a one point victory over Monaghan and the Minor team defeated Galway in the All Ireland Final. Two Bride Rovers girls Sarah Murphy and Grace Cullotty were on the team thus bringing the haul of All Ireland medals to the parish for the weekend to 4. Sadhb O Leary from Kinsale was on of the forwards on the team and is of course a first cousin of Brian, Eoin and Emma Roche, what a weekend for all the family connections.

Under 13 Hurlers in Premier 1 League Semi Final.

Our Under 13 hurling team have had a great run in the Premier 1 League. On this Saturday coming August 12th they take on St Finbarrs in the semi final in Togher at 11am. Best of luck lads.

Under 21 HC Draw.

At last Wednesday night's East Cork Board meeting the draw was made for the semi finals of the Under 21 A hurling championship. We have been paired v Watergrasshill while Castlelyons will meet Carrigtwohill. Our game is fixed for Friday August 18th at 7.30 -no venue finalised yet.

Rolling Back The Years.

In August 1995 we travelled to with our Junior B grade hurling team .Mount Melleray abbey outside Cappoquin to play the local side Melleray in a practise  game. We won the game on the night and, captained by Denis Mulcahy went on to win the East Cork Junior B Grade championship in October of that year. Last Tuesday night after a gap of 22 years we played Melleray again -this time it was our Junior C team and the game was in Pairc na Bride. The West Waterford side had one player from 1995 while Richie Cahill and Jerome O Driscoll lined out with us -what great service they have given and continue to give to the Club.

Junior B Football Semi Final.

On this Friday night coming we meet Russell Rovers in the Semi Final of the East Cork Junior B Football championship. Regraded to Junior B this year we've played very little football. On April 11th we defeated Midleton in the first round and now play the Shanagarry side in the semi final. The game is fixed for 7.30 possibly in Dungourney, the venue was not finalised. Go for it lads.

JUNIOR H L DIV 2.

At the time of writing we have a provisional fixture -to be confirmed in the East Cork Div 2 JHL, away to Cloyne on Saturday next August 12th at 7.30pm.

CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for August the 1st  was €13,600 and the four numbers drawn were 3, 8, 13 and 30 there was no winner. €30 each to Hughie Kelleher, Ballincollig, Robert Ryall Watergrasshill, Bridie Mannix Gortroe, Mary Lane Gortroe and Hannah O Driscoll Shanowen.

The Jackpot for Tuesday August 1st was €13,800.

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.

On August 17th next Erins Own meet St Catherines in the rebel Og MHC and we are to meet the winners.

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

PHILIP LEAHY RIP.

A deep sense of foreboding and disbelief shrouded North East Cork last weekend when we heard of the serious accident that had befallen Philip Leahy of Castleblagh, Ballyhooley in America. They say where there's life there's hope and so it was with a sense of hope a large crowd gathered on Friday night in the pitch in Ballyhooley in a vigil for Philip. The silence of the gathering was broken only by the odd bird singing in the nearby fields. We hoped and prayed that maybe, just maybe the genial young man might recover. Then on Sunday evening came the awful news that Philip had died. What a tragedy to befall a family that are truly 'the salt of the earth'. Young Philip was really a chip of the old block, his mother Anne's son, made in the likeness of his late, great father Phil who died suddenly just over three years ago. The three Leahy boys were sons any family would and should be proud of, reared in that wonderful rural sense of giving to club and community and being there for everyone when needed. The Leahy family of Castleblagh are synonymous with everything that is good and decent and wholesome about living in rural Ireland. Bound up in the very DNA of every activity and organisation that make up the building blocks of everyday life the Leahy family have been visited by an awful catastrophe. This week last year Philip Leahy was so proud as he prepared to captain his beloved Ballyhooley in the County Junior B football Final- next Saturday August the 12th will be exactly a year since Ballyhooley and Cobh played out a draw in the Final. Three weeks later he led his team to victory in the replay. Philip and his team were given a heroes welcome as they crossed the Blackwater bringing the Cup home. Now barely a year later that same community is united in grief and sadness as we prepare to bring Philip back home once more. It is so hard to understand and accept that we won't see his happy, smiling face and enjoy his witty sense of humour. There's an old Irish saying 'Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine' which literally means 'People live in each other's shadows', we all rely on each other. These days are an example of that as everyone in Ballyhooley and far beyond The Ford of The Apples rally round and support and help each other and the grieving family. It's a time for tears, a time for hugging, a time to talk and remember a grand young man - we were all lucky to know him, even if only for too short a time. I know I speak for everyone in our Club and Community when I extend our very deepest sympathy to the Leahy family at this time.

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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