Bride Rovers

Newsflash.... SHC v Newtownshandrum on Sat Sept 1st in Mallow

Super Seniors..

In our fourteen years playing in the Cork Senor Hurling Championship we've seen the good days and bad days with some fantastic wins and also some heart wrenching defeats. We won matches by narrow margins and lost games similarly but seldom had an easy victory. Last Sunday we travelled to Midleton to take on old rivals Na Piarsaigh and we came away with a fantastic win on an amazing scoreline of 2 24 to 17 points -a margin of thirteen points. Three times we had met the side from the Northside of the city, in 2004,2012 and 2014 and on each occasion we were defeated so it was with a hope more than confidence that we travelled to Clonmult Memorial Park on Sunday last. The Cork SHC opened in April this year and with both ourselves and Na Piarsaigh having lost our first rounds so last Sunday's game was the 'last chance saloon' to remain in the 2018 Championship. It was like old times going to Midleton for a big game and we took the field just after St.Finbarr's had defeated Killeagh in another SHC game. Over the years the Rovers have often been regarded as slow starters but a great time to come from behind. It was so different in Midleton on Sunday. Our lads were well prepared and highly motivated and tore into the game with in a terrific manner. After a superb opening twelve minutes we led by 1 8 to 0 3. Two points from Daniel Dooley came at either side of a superb effort from Barry Johnson from a free gave us a tonic start. When Shane O Connor raised the green flag we were well on top. Our defence was superb and with the forwards winning plenty ball we really took over. Further points from Brian Roche, Barry Johnson 0 2 (0-1 free), Daniel Dooley and Einne O hEochaidh put us really in the driving seat. Though the city side hit three points to make it 1 8 to 0 6 we continued to score and Jerome O Driscoll saved a great shot from Rourke. Points from Ml Collins, and Shane O Connor in the 25th minute saw us 1 10 to 0 8 ahead. Then nearing half time came a vital score. Our Galway full-forward Einne won a great ball but was quickly surrounded by Na Piarsaigh defenders but using his football skills he kicked the ball to the net -we were ahead by 2 10 to 0 8. In the remaining time before the break the city men added two points but we hit similar scores from Daniel and Brian Roche to leave us ahead by 2 12 to 0 10. It was an amazing thirty minutes of hurling really with superb defending and some mighty scoring. We were well in control of the match but we felt that Piarsaighs would come with a big effort in the second half. Cork Senior Christopher Joyce had the first score of the second half but we responded well with Brian, Daniel and Barry (free) all raising white flags to leave us up by 2 15 to 0 13 after the third quarter. We were hurling well all over the field and growing in confidence. We had a huge following who grew in vocal terms as the game wore on sensing a famous victory. Nine points in the last fifteen minutes were a great reflection of our superiority, with some brilliant scores. Na Piarsaighs kept seeking goals to narrow the gap but great defensive work from Brendan Walsh and Brian Murphy down the centre allied to tigerish defending from the corner and wing backs ensured no easy scores. After the conclusion of a seventy minute game we were winners on a scoreline of Bride Rovers 2 24 Na Piarsaigh 0 17. What can we say only well done to all the players on the panel and tp Pat Walsh and his management team. If any player ever epitomised the spirit of Bride Rovers it is Walshie, well done lads. I saw at least ten of the 1968/69 Junior team at the game -a proud day for them and for the club half a century after that 1968 Junior win. A lovely touch was provided when the team was clapped off the field by our supporters after the match.

Team & scorers J. O Driscoll, E. Roche, B. Walsh, F. Collins, J. Pratt, B. Murphy, S.Walsh, S. O Connor 1 1, B. Johnson Capt 0 6, 5 frees, M. Collins 0 1, C. O Connor 0 2, D. Dooley 0 7, 0 2 frees, J. Mannix, E. O hEochaidh 1 2, B. Roche 0 5. Games often have added importance and this one certainly had -it was kind of 'four-hander' 1 we are into the last 16 in the Co SHC,2 we have no Relegation worries,3 guaranteed Senior Status for 2019,4 two more Senior League Points. In the SHL we just have one game ,v Bishopstown left to play but we will easily have a 'Top 8' place to qualify for the knock-out stages of the League.

JUNIOR LOSE OUT.

After the excitement of Sunday afternoon in Midleton it was off across country to Pairc Naomh Caitrionaigh on Sunday night for the East Cork JAHC game v Killeagh. Having lost out to Sars in our opening we hoped to progress against Killeagh. With several players being promoted to the senior team however we faced a daunting task. So it proved in Ballynoe with Killeagh proving much too strong for us. They were on top from the start and in control; all over the field and won by 2 24 to 1 8. In fairness to our lads they never gave up and kept hurling away but the men in green go forward to meet Lisgoold in the quarter final. Well done lads and to Oliver and his backroom team. Team: Frank Hogan, Jack Connor, Brian Collins, Tadhg O Sullivan, Mike Liddane, Brian Collins, Donncha Carr, Ryan Prendergast, Stephen Boyce, Liam Forde, Conor Barry, DJ Cahill, Sean Ryan, Jesse O Keeffe, Damien Buckley. Subs Used; Griffin O' Keeney, Stephen Hackett, Adrian Buckley

REBEL OG MFC

Bride Rovers 3.9 Cobh 4.13 Our minor footballers travelled to Dungourney on Monday night last to play Cobh in round 2 of the Premier 2A football championship. Having defeated Granard Gaels in the opening round in the end of March, it was nearly a 5 month break before this eagerly awaited match took place. The opening exchanges were close but Cobh were strong in all sectors and dictated the opening half. A Fergus Sheehan goal before half time gave the Rovers hope as they trailed at the interval 3-8 to 1-5. A big improvement by the Rovers in the second half as it was obvious the long layoff had a big effect on the first half performance. Goals in the second half by Conor Barry and Cian Hogan brought us back into the game and were seen to play some of their best football at this stage. But hard as they tried we couldn't get on top and Cobh held out to win on a score of 4.13 to 3.9. A positive from the game was that the Rovers limited Cobh to 1.5 in the second half and added 2.4 themselves to shade the last thirty minutes over their East Cork rivals. An injury to Griffin O'Keeney towards the end of the game was an upset to all and we wish him a speedy recovery. We now go on to play neighbours Fermoy at the end of the month.

Panel:Ben Hogan, Rory O'Sullivan, Matthew Quinn, Michael Quinlan, Oisin Roche, Eoin Roche, Griffin O'Keeney, Kieran Kearney, Conleith Ryan 0 2, Conor Barry1 5, Cian Hogan 1 1, Seamus Ahern, Shaun Knox, Fergus Sheehan1 0, Brian Roche 0 1, Thomas Makec, Jordan Mannix, John Buckley. We also wish paddy O Flynn a speedy recovery.

CO SHC DRAWS.

On Monday night at Pairc Ui Rinn the Draws for the County SHC last 16 were made and we were paired against Newtownshandrum. It's a tough draw but at this level there are no easy games. This tie will probably be played the last weekend of August -August 31st or September 1st.

B GRADE FOOTBALL FINAL.

On Saturday next we contest the East Cork B Grade Football Final. Our opponents are Russell Rovers and the game is fixed for the Ballinacurra venue at 3.30. We played Glanmire, Glenville and Ballinacurra in a Round Robin Format to qualify for this Final. Our opponents Russell Rovers will be favourites as they already had a good win over us in a Div 3JFL game in Shanagarry. Best of luck lads go for it.

LOTTO STANDS AT €20,000

The four numbers drawn for our weekly Lotto on Tuesday August 15th were 3, 6, 19, 32 and there was no winner. The Jackpot for 14/8/2018 was €20,000 The prizes of €30 each went to Aidan O'Mahony, James Ronayne, Luke O'Flynn, John Murphy Moulane and Maisie Murphy, Fermoy 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.

CLEAN UP NIGHT.

Any Club members and supporters who can give an hour of their time next Monday night August 20th please come to the Pitch at 7pm for a Major Clean up of the facilities -many hands make light work.

ALL IRELAND SUNDAY.

It's only mid August but next Sunday is All Ireland Hurling Sunday. For nearly eighty years the GAA have built up the tradition of September as 'All Ireland month', now all's changed, utterly changed. It just doesn't have the same ring to it or even feel about it but in Croke park on Sunday next Limerick will face Galway for the Liam McCarthy Cup. All over our parish there are Maroon and White and Green and White flags proudly fluttering identifying the ancestral roots of the people living here. It's a great week for them. All of 45 years have elapsed since Limerick last won the title- during that period Galway have claimed the McCarthy Cup four times and as reigning champions they will be confident of repeating that success. I wasn't in Croke park in 1973 but saw Kilkenny dethrone Limerick twelve months later. When Galway made the breakthrough in 1980 my abiding memory of the day was not the game which Galway won by 2 15 to 3 9 for Limerick but the aftermath. I was on Hill 16 and stayed for the presentation of the trophy. Joe Connolly made his speech as Gaeilge ar fad. There then followed a spine tingling moment when the late Joe McDonagh sang his special version of 'The West's Awake'. Let's hope for a great game, a draw and then we can have a real September Hurling Final!

ALL IRELAND u21 HURLING FINAL.

Isn't it crazy really? Playing the All Ireland u 21 Hurling Final in Limerick at half 5 of a Sunday evening - the day the Pope is in Dublin. For a proud Hurling County like Tipperary I though it was just very poor sportsmanship that they refused to toss between Thurles and Pairc Ui Chaoimh for the Final venue. In either venue I'd say you'd get a crowd of close on 30,000 -will there be half that in Limerick? We wish Cork the best and especially Brian and Eoin Roche who are on the panel.

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