Season's Greetings to One and All...

Well it's Christmas season and a time for reflecting on the year nearly gone by. It was  Charles Dickens who coined the  phrase 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' and how apt these words are for us in Bride Rovers in this month of December 2018.  Just ninety years ago a group of Gaelic games enthusiasts from the then existing two Clubs in the parish came together to found the Bride Rovers Club.  The man elected first Chairman was Dan Barry NT. He died at a very young age in June 1930. It was terrible blow to the Club but a few months later the Club won the first ever East Cork Junior Hurling Championship title. I was in my first year as Club Secretary in 1975 with club stalwart David John Barry Chairman -David John was involved with the Club since the 1930's. In June as our under 14 footballers were playing a championship game in Castlelyons David John took ill and died at the match.  It was truly the end of an era for the Club and robbed us of a great administrator. There was a feeling of gloom and sadness all over the parish. Pat O Connor took over as Chairman and that autumn Pat captained our Junior B Hurling team to a great Championship win. This year we lost three people who had given years and years of service to our Club. The deaths of Mary O Dowd, Jim O Donovan and Dan Quill shocked and saddened us all- not just the GAA members and players but the entire community. In a variety of roles over a long time span Mary, Jim and Dan were integral, valuable and valued members of the Bride Rovers 'family' because our GAA Club, like so many others, is much more than a Sport Organisation. We play, train, win, lose, celebrate and grieve together. That's the way it has been since 1928 and so it goes on. Of course the family and close friends of the bereaved feel the loss more acutely -especially at this time of year, but in truth the bonds, friendships and camaraderie that is part and parcel of the Bride Rovers Club mean we all miss these great people who have contributed so much to Parish life in our community. They have helped build up our Club and that great spirit that is displayed by all our teams and supporters. Personally I think a great debt of gratitude is due to all involved with our Club teams this year. Against a backdrop of sadness they have put in sterling performances especially over the last ten weeks. County Championship titles in Minor and Under 21 Hurling has meant 2018 is one of our best ever years. Our performances in the East Cork u21 replay and Minor Replay were absolutely brilliant. Winning the Premier 2 Minor league and then capping it with the under 21 Title shows the absolute passion we have for Gaelic games.  People outside our own Parish remark about our younger player, yes they are great but remember it's a union of players, selectors, trainers and coaches that brings fitting rewards on the playing fields of this great County. We delight in our successes and that of our under 14 team in winning a Premier League title but we must always be prepared to put in even more work. We are lucky that so many people are 'buying in' to our Under Age player development work. It's great to see people from the parish who have played with the club working alongside others who never donned a jersey. What is most heartening of all is the way so many individuals from all corners of Ireland who have come to live in our community have got involved in every aspect of the Bride Rovers movement. Truly 'many hands make light work' and we always extend a "Cead Mile Failte" to each and everyone who is willing to get involved in promoting the GAA in our Community.

As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas Season and look forward to 2019 we extend warmest greetings to one and all. To those who mourn their family losses we can only say that everyone in Bride Rovers are thinking of ye in a special way at this time. We extend our deepest sympathy also to the O Connell family of Clykeel on the death of Mai. One of nature's nicest people Mai O Connell was a larger than life presence in our community. Ever smiling Mai was one of those people you'd always be happy to meet and chat with. Mai's mother was Mary Bridget Mulcahy of Clykeel who married James Peter O Donnell of Tourin, Cappoquin, Co.Waterford in 1930.  Mai later inherited the ancestral acres in Clykeel and married Pat O Connell from Ballyhooley. Over the last forty years the O Connell family were involved in every aspect of community and sporting life in Rathcormac Parish. The tradition forged by Mai and Pat has been handed on the next generation and Batt, Cora and Mark are the type of people any parish community and voluntary organisation can be truly proud of. Mai lived life to the full, she was so proud of her Decie background and loved every aspect of the GAA. To her family and devoted grandchildren we extend our deepest sympathy.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot on Tuesday December the 11th was €20,000 and the four numbers drawn were  3, 5, 11, 32, there was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Eoin Crowley, Liam Frizzell, Sligo, Danielle O'Leary, Eva Walsh and  Grainne Leahy.

For last Tuesday night December the Jackpot was €20,000.  Thanks to all who support the Lotto Draw each week. The Income from the Lotto is vital in the day to day running of the Club. The Tickets are just €2 but every €2 is a great help. You can buy the Bride Rovers tickets from Club Members, in local business outlets and online at locallotto.ie An Annual Ticket costs just €90 and would be an ideal present for any GAA supporter. Next week the Lotto will be held on Thursday December the 27th and for the first Lotto Draw in 2019 the date will be Wednesday January the 2nd. Make sure you get your tickets in time.

WELL DONE BALLYDUFF.

Congrats to Ballyduff Upper on their great win in the West Waterford Under 21 Hurling Final. Last Sunday at the Gold Coast Pitch the Reds defeated Brickey Rangers by 0 12 to 0 7. Ballyduff now go forward to the County Final- probably next weekend, against Roanmore or St. Mollerans. Best of luck in the Final lads.

Harty Cup Draws.

St Colmans College Fermoy have been drawn against De La Salle Waterford in the Harty Cup Quarter Final. The full draw and fixture list is as follows;

A) Midleton CBS v Our Lady’s Templemore
B) John The Baptist Hospital v Thurles CBS
C) St Colman’s Fermoy v De La Salle Waterford
D) Christian Brothers College v Nenagh CBS

Semi-Final Draws

X) St Colman’s Fermoy/De La Salle Waterford v Midleton CBS/Our Lady’s Templemore
Y) Christian Brothers College/Nenagh CBS v John The Baptist Hospital/Thurles CBS

Dr. Harty Cup Quarter-Finals – January 9th
Dr. Harty Cup Semi-Finals – January 26th
Dr. Harty Cup Final – February 16th

The St Colmans v Midleton CBS O Callaghan Cup Final was postponed on last Friday night because of the weather conditions and won't be refixed until probably after the conclusion of the Harty Cup.

COUNTY FINAL DVD's.

A DVD of the County Under 21 Final Bride Rovers v Cloughduv will be available shortly priced €20. You can order a copy by contacting Club Runal Daniel Lane at 087 2070100.

CORK GAA MEMBERS DRAW.

Well done to Maurice Kearney and Daniel Lane who both won  €150 Vouchers last week in the December Cork GAA Members Draw.

WELL DONE GER.

Well done to our Clubman Gerard Lane who was re elected as Cork Representative to the Munster Council for the coming year. Gerard was elected on the First Count having received 440 votes and will be joined by Ballyhea's Michael Byrne.

The full line up of Officers for the Cork GAA Board for 2019 is as follows;

Uachtarán: Michael Barry (Delany's)
Cathaoirleach: Tracey Kennedy (Killeagh)
Leas-Cathaoirleach: Marc Sheehan (Aghabullogue)
Cisteoir: Diarmuid Gowen (Fermoy)
Runaí: Kevin O'Donovan (Kilmeen/Kilbree)
Riarthóir Sinsear: Diarmuid O'Donovan (Glen Rovers/St. Nick's)
Oifigeach Caidreamh Poiblí (PRO): Joe Blake (Adrigole)
Oifigeach Oiliúna (Coaching Officer): Ronan Dwane (Aghada)
Oifigeach Forbartha (Development Officer): Pat Horgan (Midleton)
Oifigeach Gaeilge/Cultúir: Risteard Ó Murchú (Lyre)
Oifigeach Leanaí (Children's Officer): Des Cullinane (Glen Rovers/St. Nick's) Central Council Delegate: Bob Ryan (Inniscarra)
Munster Council Delegates: Gerard Lane (Bride Rovers), Michael Byrne (Ballyhea)

It was night of change for Cork GAA. Frank Murphy stepped down as County Runai after forty five years. Our new Runai is Kevin O Donovan and we wish both Frank and Kevin all the best for the future.

THE AVONDHU.

Once more we wish to thank our local newspaper 'The Avondhu' for the outstanding service it provides each and every week to all the GAA Clubs in our area. Well done and Happy Christmas to all the management and staff for their courtesy throughout the year.

CLUB SONG.

Recently many followers have been looking for the 'original' Club Song as written by Billy Barry of Mondaniel in the 1930's. It has been sung many times over the years and thankfully it got a few airings this year; 

Come, listen a while; I will tell you the story
Of heroes and hurlers well tested and tried,
Of a team from East Cork that's been covered with glory;
They come from the fair lands along by the Bride.
Right bravely they fought, all opponents defeating,
The big and the small ones, the old and the new.
So loudly we sing, with our hearts proudly beating,
The Rovers for ever, Bride Rovers Abu.

The Healys watched goal - and `twas safe in their keeping;
The Murphys and Hogan were well to thefore.
O'Leary and Shea were the scores ever heaping;
The Barrys and Ryans sent in more and more.
Hanan, Daly and Leahy kept pressure unending;
Ned Hoskins, our captain, no ball could get through;
Yes; here was a team, gallant, bold and unbending,
The dauntless young Rovers - Bride Rovers abu.

Three years in succession the tale we repeated;
In Midleton town in each final we fought.
And now once again - all opponents defeated;
We've gained the prized laurels, so eagerly sought.
Great sporting tradition from sires we inherit;
Rathcormac has reared men - and Bartlemy too.
Whose feats oft the crown of the victor did merit.
Their deeds now inspire us; Bride Rovers abu.

Yes, we play the game as true sportsmen should play it;
To temper or rashness not lightly we yield.
We give knocks and take them but none can gainsay it;
We're manly, straightforward, and fair on the field.
And again the bright mantle of victory is o'er us;
We are champions once more in 1932;
So now, one and all, let us join in the chorus,
The Rovers for ever; Bride Rovers abu.

Christmas Greetings.

In extending our Christmas greetings we think in a particular way about all those Bride Rovers people who are  far away from the Banks of The Bride at this time, scattered all over the world. Ye are in our thoughts and prayers at this special season.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are;    Rathcormac Tyres

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