Bride Rovers

County Champions...

We won our first ever Cork County Under 21 Hurling Championship last Sunday with a marvellous win over Cloughduv at Pairc Ui Rinn. There's a great ring to that -Bride Rovers County Champions! What an occasion and what a historic day for the Club. We had never before contested a County Final in Under 21 Hurling so this win was all the more outstanding. It was a poignant day too as just a month had passed since our Club Treasurer and great Clubman, Dan Quill, had passed away. There's no doubt that Dan and Jimbob too will be remembered when 2018 is recalled in years to come. The season will also be spoken of because of the feats our Minor and Under 21 Hurling Teams..

We had a six week wait since the end of October for this Final. As it turned out our opponents were recently crowned Munster Junior Champions Cloughduv. The Mid Cork side defeated Fermoy on the previous Wednesday night by a margin of two points in Pairc Ui Rinn to set up the pairing for the Final. Despite it being well into December it must be stated that the Pairc Ui Rinn pitch was in good order- especially after all the games played there in the last month. From noon onwards the roads from the parish were busy as our supporters headed for the Boreenamanna Road venue. It was 1.15 start and luckily the day was dry. Our journey to this Final began in Castlelyons on July 20th with a win over St. Catherines. Since then we defeated Castlelyons and Carrigtwohill (after a replay) and then Newcestown and Passage West in the County Rounds.

Ben Hogan and Eoin Roche both missed the County Minor League final win over Shandrum but thankfully both were able to line out on Sunday. We had a great crowd of supporters as had the County and Munster Junior Champions. Brian Roche was in the action early on . He collected a super ball and went through on goal but his shot was saved by the Cloughduv keeper O Driscoll. Within a minute we were ahead when Brian hit over a lovely point. Almost immediately Brian Verling equalised from a free. Despite playing against a very strong breeze we were hurling well with our forwards moving well. In the sixth minute a great ball out of defence was caught by Brian Roche who sent a brilliant pass to Conleith Ryan. As he has done so often Conleith accelerated away from his marker and scored a smashing goal. Verling had another point from a free. A minute later Cloughduv were in front when Verling added to Kelleher's shot to raise the green flag. This was a big set back but in fairness our lads responded well even when the Mid Cork side went 1 3 to 1 1 ahead. We got three great points from Conor (free), Jesse and Brian Roche in the 19th minute. Points from Verling left 1 5 to 1 4 in arrears in the 20th minute. With the strong wind behind them Cloughduv had plenty possession in our defence but Team Captain Shane Walsh led by example. On two different occasions certain scores were prevented by the hurling of Matthew Quinn and Paddy O Flynn while the strong running of Griffin and Ryan was outstanding. Coming close to half time Brian Roche levelled the scores at 1 5 apiece. Kelleher put his side ahead and it was 1 6 to 1 5 at the break. After playing against the wind we were in a good position at half time but of course the wind never wins a game for any team. The first half in reality was as close as the score suggests with end to end hurling. It was noticeable that Cloughduv had more players on the 20/21 mark and physically they had an advantage over our younger side. From our point of view the wind seemed to slacken a good bit for the second half. Still just a point down with half an hour to go with a County Title at stake - what a prospect. Brian Roche levelled after good work from Jason Mannix in defence, added to by Shane O Connor. Level at 1 6 each. Two frees were pointes by Verling and they edged 1 8 to 1 6 in front. As the going got tough DJ Cahill battled hard and won a free that Conor pointed. It was really nip and tuck now towards the three quarter stage. Kieran Kearney was unlucky with a chance as the game was evenly balanced. Eoin Roche and Shane stayed well on top at midfield but the Cloughduv tactic of a 'defensive sweeper' seemed to be working as their No 7 mopped up a lot of ball and took a few 'Stephen Cluxton' type short passes from the keeper. Then when the need was greatest all the Rovers team just upped their hurling by a few notches. It wasn't so much that Cloughduv tired, I thought, but that the fitness and determination of out lads really surfaced. Conor Barry added points as did Brian. As we enteed the last ten minutes it was obvious that we were keeping our defensive shape as Paddy, Griffin and Ryan were in command. Griffin got a hard knock on the hand but battled on bravely. It was 1 9 for both sides when Conleith Ryan swung over a lovely point to put us ahead for the first time since early in the first half. We were ahead by 1 10 to 1 9 going down the final straight. Cloughduv did level once more in the 49th minute. Cian Hogan came on and was immediately involved in the action. After that we took over and brilliant white flags from Conor and Brian saw us build up a four point winning margin. In realty it was only when we went four ahead that one sensed this was going to be Bride Rovers Day. For long stages of this match as the teams traded score for score a victory seemed unlikely but the grit, spirit and will to win came to the fore. At last Castletownroche referee Justin Murphy blew the final whistle and we were County Champions. What a feeling and our players, subs, management team and supporters gave vent to their emotions. Yes it was emotional for so many reasons. It's ben a tough year with the deaths of Mary O Dowd, Jim O Donovan and Dan Quill so we've mourned a lot. Now once more we could cry with joy and laugh and hug and sing -that's what it's all about. The lads got a massive reception as they came to the Covered Stand for the Cup Presentation by County Chairperson Tracy Kennedy. Tracy congratulated the team and Club on winning the Under 21 crown as well as the Premier 2 Minor Title. Then she presented the Jim Sarsfield Memorial Cup to delighted Bride Rovers Captain Shane Walsh -a great moment in the 90 year history of our Club. Shane thanked his team mates, selectors and supporters and led three cheers for Cloughduv. After that it was a case of 'Come listen a while and I'll sing ye a story, of hurlers well tested and tried..'

It was just a superb game and a game in which our lads played great hurling. In fairness to the Ground Staff at Pairc Ui Rinn the pitch was in great order for nearly mid December. This was a great win for a great bunch of lads. They have talent and superb hurling but a great attitude and commitment also. Since March they have trained and shown great determination. It could all have ended in Lisgoold in the drawn East Cork Final. Leading by a goal with time up when Carrig levelled. We expected the final whistle but there was more time. Carrig won a free- if scored we were gone and Carrigtwohill East Cork Champions, luckily the free drifted wide and we lived to fight another day. We beat Carrig in the replay and then Newcestown, Passage and now Cloughduv to win our first ever County Under 1 Title.

Team & Scorers; Be Hogan, Jordan Mannix, Shane Walsh(Capt), Matthew Quinn, Paddy O Flynn, Griffin O Keeney, Ryan Prendergast, Shane O Connor, Eoin Roche, Conor Barry ( 0 7, (0 4 frees)), Brian Roche ( 0 5 ), DJ. Cahill, Kieran Kearney, Conleith Ryan (1 1), Jesse O Keeffe (0 1), Sub Cian Hogan.. Well done also to Seanie, Jake, Jack, Shane, Ruairi, Colm, Seamus, Craig, Oisin, John and Michael who are on the panel. They say behind every good team is a great backroom team and in fairness we in Bride Rovers had a superb group in charge of this team. Brian Murphy, Fergus Collins, Barry Hazlewood, Stephen Glasgow, Daniel Lane, Richie O Regan, Paul Howard, Barry Johnson, Jammy Barry, William Finnegan, Conor Hazlewood and Davy Barry all played vital roles in winning the East Cork and County Titles this year. On behalf of the Club and Parish a huge 'thank you' for all your great work. DVD's of the game can be ordered from Daniel Lane for €20, please ring 087 2070100. Congrats to Fr O Neills on their extra time win over Midleton in a thrilling Premier 1 Final.

JIM SARSFIELD CUP.

This cup was first presented last year when Inniscarra were the winners. The Trophy commemorates the lat Jim Sarsfield of Watergrasshill. Jim's mother was from Bartlemy -a sister of Johnny and Jerry Roche of Ballyda. Jim gave a lifetime of service to Watergrasshill GAA as well as serving as a County Councillor. He was a great character

Thanks to all the Clubs and individuals who have sent us messages of Congratulations. They are deeply appreciated.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The four numbers drawn on Tuesday Dec 4th were 6, 25, 26, 27 . There was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Robert Ryall, Oliver O'Connor, Whacko c/o The Hut Bar, Julianne O'Connor, Mike Carey. A weekly ticket for the Club Lotto costs just €2 and every ticket sold helps with the day to day running of the Club. Tickets are on sale every day in local business outlets and of course from Club Members. A yearly Lotto Ticket costs €90. Tickets can also be purchased online at locallotto.ie The Christmas Lotto draw will be held on Tuesday 18th December in The Rathcormac Inn.
As well as the 5 x €30 consolation prizes, there will be 5 x €50 prizes plus lots of spot prizes including Bottles of Wine, Spirits, Chocolates, Vouchers and other seasonal prizes. Get your tickets from members or local business outlets. If your not in you can’t win.

CORK GAA CONVENTION.