Bride Rovers

Honouring The Men of 1968.

On this coming Friday night September the 28th we gather in the Rathcormac Inn for a very special occasion. Fifty years, half a century, has elapsed since we won the East Cork Junior A Grade Hurling Championship of 1968. It truly a historic occasion, bridging a 36 year gap and capturing the Jamesey Kelleher Cup for the very first time. Back in the 1930's the fledgling Bride Rovers Club had won two East Cork Titles, in 1930 and 1932 but there was no cup for the winners then. The Club had contested the 1938 Final when Ned Hoskins captained the team which lost to Cloyne.

Having won the Junior B Title in 1966- just two years the Club's reorganisation, hopes were high of a breakthrough at A grade level. In the 1960's the East Cork JAHC was hotly contested with the likes of Castlemartyr, Dungourney, Killeagh, St. Catherines all in contention. The 'second' teams of Youghal, Sars and Carrigtwohill were also very competitive at this time. To reach the Est Cork Junior Final in 1968 the Club had to win three games to reach the Divisional Final;

1st round Bride Rovers 2 14 Castlemartyr 1 2

2nd round Bride Rovers 4 12 St Catherines 5 8

Semi/Final Bride Rovers 3 11 Youghal 3 5. Sarsfields beat Castlelyons by4 9 to 2 7 in the other semi final. The three weeks in August between the win over Youghal and the Final were just magical with big crowds attending each training session. Though it was Sars' second team in the final the Riverstown side were favourites. A huge crowd attended the final in Midleton on August 25th. Five minutes into the second half a victory seemed impossible for the Rovers. Sars led by eleven points, 3 9 to 1 4 but then the game changed. Two goals, from Frank Meade and Tom O Riordan and points from Pat Hoskins and team Captain Seanie Barry reduced the margin to three. With seven minutes left Sars lead was again 6 points. Goals from Seanie and Johnny Barry tied up the scores 4 10 to 5 7. Then in a welter of excitement Seanie Barry got the winning point, 5 8 to 4 10. What a win and what a comeback. After 36 years Bride Rovers were champions. In 1969 Bride Rovers retained the Title with a great win in a replay with Carrigtwohill.

Fifty years is a long stretch and unfortunately some of those players are gone to their eternal reward. We think of John Gettings, John Ryan, Tony O Brien, Davy Hogan Tony Walsh, Michel Twomey, Johnny Barry and Willie Cotter. The other players that brought glory to the Club in that Golden Era were Seanie Barry, Eddy Barry, Donie Murphy, Sean Murphy, Paudie Murphy, Liam Parle, Willie Sheehan, Pat Sheehan, Dick Shelley, Tom O Riordan John Meade, Frank Meade,Michael Murphy, Seamus Collins, Donal Lehane, Pat Hoskins, Joseph O Brien,Owenie Gubbins.

We have invited all the surviving players on Friday night as well as family members of the deceased players. It is indeed fitting that the Bride Rovers Club should honour these men who brought so much glory to the Banks of the Bride. The function in the Rathcormac Inn on Friday night starts at 8pm and all are welcome.

County Minor Final.

Our Minor Hurlers are busily preparing for the County Premier 2 Hurling Championship Final. The game against Shandrum has been fixed for Pairc Ui Rinn on Monday week October 8th at 6.30pm. Blarney and Midleton will contest the PMHC 1 Final at 8pm.

EAST CORK JHL.

Junior hurling League Div 1. St Itas 4:10 bride rovers 1:10.

Played under lights in Killeagh on last Thursday night this game was contested in very trying conditions. The first half of this game did not go well for the Rovers. The beaten East Cork finalists were well on top and we were behind at halftime on a scoreline of 3:05 to 0:02 .

But in true Bride Rovers fashion we gave a great display in the second half. The lads stormed into the game and scored 1:08 against 1:05 for St Itas. Well done to our gallant players who braved the elements and a very good St Itas team that are out in the County JHC this week. The game was played in Killeagh on Thursday the 16th of September , Team F. Hogan, B.Collins, D.Carr. J O Connor, J. Kearney, L. Forde, T.O Sullivan, J. Murphy, S. Boyce, S.O Flynn , S Hackett , D. Browne. I O Donoghue, Cian Howard, Damian Buckley, B. Lahive, Scorers, S Hackett 1 1, D Browne 0 2, C. Howard 0 1, D. Buckley 0 3. T. O Sullivan 0 1, L. Forde 0 1, I O Donoghue 0 1. Referee Jim Daly Youghal,

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

For Tuesday September the 18th, 2018 the Jackpot was €20,000 and the four numbers drawn were 12, 13, 16, 31 and there was no winner.

The prizes of €30 each went to Pat Cotter Snr. Bartlemy, Pauline O'Connor, Richard O'Regan, Barry Hanrahan and J.P.E O'Regan

This week's jackpot In Tuesday September the 25th was €20,000.

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.

Redmonds Gone.

This weekend marks the end of an era in Cork GAA. One of Cork's oldest GAA Clubs, Redmonds or 'Sporting Reds' as they were called has been wound up. Winners of several County Championships the Club has fallen on hard times and cannot get enough players to even field one adult team so the handful of mentors left have decided to wind up the Club.