Our Minor Hurlers completed a fantastic Championship/League Double on Saturday last by winning the County Minor A Hurling League Final. Last year our Minor Hurling team were defeated in the Championship by Watergrasshill in Rathcormac. We were in control early on in the game and early into the second half. Then the Hill took over and went on to record a good win. In the weeks after that game Watergrasshill went on to capture the Cork East and County Championship titles. We had also qualified to meet the Hill in the League (East) final and the game was played in Castlelyons on a Saturday afternoon in October. On the day we displayed great hurling and courage to defeat the County Champions in a mighty game. Facing into last Saturday's County League Final it was the reverse of last year. A County Championship Final meeting between the Rovers and the Hill was on the cards back in September but Kilshannig defeated the Hill in the Co Semi Final. That was the background then to last Saturday's game. The Hill defeated Kilshannig and Bandon in the Co Rounds of the MHL while we defeated Cobh.

We had expected to play this League Final the previous Saturday but eventually the fixture was made for Saturday last December the 16th at 1.30 in Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park, Watergrasshill. It seemed as if the delay of a week would prove detrimental to our chances because Tom Murray and Peter O Leary were unable to line out because of sickness and Matthew Quinn was still out injured since the Under 16 HL semi final. Luckily the day was dry and for mid December the pitch was in good condition when Dermot Kirwan (his uncle Jim played with us many years ago)  threw in the sliotar. With Seamus Ahern at corner back and Seanie Knox at corner forward we settled quickly into the game. Eoin Roche and Kieran Kearney controlled the middle of the field and kept the sliotar moving up to the forwards. The Hill free scoring forward Shane O Regan was well policed by our defence. The defining score of the half was a goal from Conor Barry which stamped our authority on the contest. John O Sullivan, Jordan Mannix and Seamus Ahern were solid in front of Ben Hogan and that meant the Hill found it hard to get any score from play. On the other side of the field our forwards were winning good possession. Cian, Conleith and Shane were always threatening and the inside line of Seanie, Eoin and Conor were well on top. We had a half time of seven points, 1  9 to 0  5 which was a fair reflection of our superiority. Still no game is won at half time and we expected a strong backlash from the Hill in the second half. It never happened due mainly to the dominance of centre back Paddy O Flynn and his wing-men Griffin and Ruairi, they mopped up everything that came near them. Two more goals were added by our forwards courtesy of Kieran Kearney and Conleith Ryan. Conor Barry was unerring in his despatching of frees over the bar.  Michael Friel, Fergus Sheehan and Peter O Leary all came on to help secure a mighty win by 3 15 to 1 8.  This was a great victory for a very brave and talented team after a very, very long season. So many of our players on this squad were involved with School and Cork teams as well as playing hurling and football at under 16, minor and under 21. Well done to the team mentors who have put in a phenomenal effort since last January. Thanks also to the players parents and of course supporters. After Dermot Kirwan blew the final whistle the County MHL Cup was presented by Coiste na nOg Treasurer Eoghan O Connor from Erins Own. Team and scorers;

Ben Hogan, Seamus Ahern, Jordan Mannix, John O Sullivan, Griffin Keeney O Sullivan Ruairi O Sullivan, Paddy O Flynn, Eoin Roche, Kieran Kearney 1  1, Cian Hogan 0 3, Conleith Ryan I 1, Shane O Flynn 0 1, Seanie Knox, Brian Roche 0 3, Conor Barry 1 7 (0 5 frees), Micheal Friel, Fergus Sheehan, Peter O Leary.

Eoghan O Connor's late father-in-law was Pat Foley from Cannon Street, Rathcormac who hurled for years with the Rovers. About twenty years ago Pat was recalling a Junior B Grade Hurling Championship game he played with the Rovers against the Hill in 1948. The game was played in Kildinan in conjunction with the Kildinan Sports Meeting. Pat was just a teenager, low in stature but he scored two goals in that game. The Hill fullback with a 'thou shalt not pass' attitude was a big, strong man- the late Mick Fenton , a grand uncle of Paddy and Shane O Flynn! Kieran Kearney's great, grandfather John Kearney was on the Bride Rovers Junior team that won the Club's first ever East Cork A grade championship in November 1930 when Leeside were beaten 5 2 to 0 1. John Kearney died in 1968 and along with his 1930 team-mates Jack Leahy, Joe Healy and Ned Hoskins is buried in Gortroe Cemetery.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for the Bride Rovers weekly Lotto for Tuesday December the 12th was €17,400 and the four lucky numbers drawn were 4, 6, 10 and 11, there was no winner The Jackpot for last Tuesday December the 19th was €17,600. The winners of €30 each were Annette Murphy, Chris Quinn, Mondaniel, Ella Barry, Knocknaboola, Ronan Hoskins, Ballinagore and Orla Dorgan, Glenagoul.  Tickets for the Lotto are just €2 each and can be bought from Club members, in local business outlets and online at locallotto.ie Your ongoing support of the Lotto is really appreciated. The Income from the weekly Lotto is vital in helping with the day to day running of the Club.

The Avondhu.

As 2017 draws to a close it is only right and proper that we pay tribute to the management and staff of The Avondhu newspaper for their tremendous coverage of Gaelic Games during the year. We are extremely lucky in this area to have such a marvellous publication in our area as The Avondhu which in fairness promotes all sports but our native games in a very dominant position. On behalf of Bride Rovers I wish to convey a sincere 'thank you' to all involved both in Mitchelstown and in the Fermoy office. We hope The Avondhu continues to provide such a great forum for the promotion of the GAA and it's Clubs. On a personal note I wish to thank for the fantastic coverage given to all our Club activities during 2017.

Happy Christmas.

A sincere and warm greeting for this Christmas season is extended to all Bride Rovers players, members, mentors, supporters and sponsors. Your vocal and financial support during the year has been greatly appreciated by all in the Club. During the year many families in our community lost loved family members and we remember them all in a very special way at this time of year. Bride Rovers is a great family and community Club. As we go into our 90th year next year we look forward with anticipation to 2018. We are always looking for new players and members -there is a place for everyone in the Club, so do join us as we move forward. Have a great and peaceful Christmas and all the very best in the New Year.

JUVENILE CLUB FUN RUN/WALK.

On  next Tuesday December the 26th, St Stephen's Day the Bride Rovers Juvenile Club will once again hold their annual Fun Run Walk in Rathcormac. It is a nice leisurely event during the Christmas season so do come along to support it.

Harty Cup Draws.

The Draw for the Quarter Finals of the 2017/18 Harty Cup (Munster Senior Colleges Hurling Championship) were made last week. St Colmans of Fermoy are pitted against Christian Brothers College, Cork.

The Quarter Final games are to be played on January 10th.

The four Quarter Finals are as follows;
A. Árdscoil Rís v Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG
B. St Colman’s Fermoy v CBC Cork
C. Our Lady’s Templemore v JTB Hospital
D. Thurles CBS v Midleton CBS

Semi-finals – 27 January A v B C v D  Final – 17 February

ASTRO TURF BOOKING.

All bookings of the two Astro Turf playing areas are to be made by contacting the Club Runaí Daniel Lane at 087 2070100

Co. Convention

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.