Club Notes.. - 2019-04-23 16:25:00
Seniors defeated after a mighty game...
At Riverstown on last Saturday evening we faced Douglas in the first round of the Cork Senior Hurling Championship. On a balmy evening we lost out by a margin of six points. It was a great game of hurling though strange in the way it developed. We dominated the game in the first quarter. Then Douglas held us scoreless for nineteen minutes. We were well on top again early in the second half and the city side didn't register a score until the 45th minute. With six under 21 players starting and two more coming on it was a brave performance but not good enough to deny Douglas the win.
William Finnegan had our opening point and Barry Johnson raised a second white flag after Paddy O Flynn was fouled. Daniel Dooley scored our third point. It was noticeable early on that that our backs were coping fairly well with the threat of the Douglas forwards. A great point from Ryan Prendergast and another from Barry saw us 0 5 to 0 3 ahead at the end of the first quarter. The contest then turned completely around with Douglas getting on top. They hit over eight unanswered points to lead by 0 11 to 0 5 at halftime. The wind wasn't a factor in the game but Douglas just seemed to create massive space for their lively forwards. It was do or die in the second half and in fairness our lads responded well. That third quarter of the game was as good as I've ever seen from a Bride Rovers team in any grade. With Brian Murphy controlling the defence our lads swept forward in waves. Points from Barry, Conleith, Brian and Barry Johnson again brought us right back into the game. Wm Finnegan and Daniel Dooley had possible goal chances but both were denied. With just seven minutes to go we were only two points behind and our huge following urging on the lads. The game then swung the way of Douglas. They hit three points in a row and then got a gaol when everyone thought it was a free out for a blatant push. A Barry John son goal from a free reduced the margin but time ran out and Douglas won by 1 18 to 1 12. It was a hard defeat to take after a good display. While all our forwards scored our tally of just 6 points from play wasn't a true reflection of the possession we had. Douglas are a good side, they got 1 13 from play. We can take a lot of positives from the game however though we'll have a long wait for the next game in the Championship. Our opponents could be Midleton, Newtownshandrum, Newcestown, Ballymartle, Erins Own, Carrigtwohill, Ballyhea or Killeagh -nothing easy in that lot! Team and scorers S. Knox, J. Pratt, E. Roche, F. Collins, L. Forde, B. Murphy, C. Ryan 0 1,. S. O Connor, P. O Flynn, M. Collins 0 1, D. Dooley 0 1, R. Prendergast 0 1, B. Johnson 1 6, W. Finnegan 0 1, B. Roche, K. Kearney, DJ. Cahill.
Under 15 Hurling.
We played our second game of our league campaign last Wed at home against Ballincollig with both teams missing a few key players it was a chance for all our younger players to get a run and all played well we ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 5-17 to 1-8
Panel frank, Cormac, Liam, Denis, Nicky, Conor, Ronan, Cillian, David, Adam H, Cillian B, Adam W, Eldon, Josh, Ryan, Adam H ,Ronan O Riordan, Ben Knox
Our next game is down for May 1st at home to St Nicks in u15 football league also best of luck to our minors who play hurling championship this Wednesday vs Inniscarra
Under 12 Croke Park blitz
On last Thursday the 18th April the u12- team twenty four strong, their families, supporters and coaches all rose early and met in Rathcormac at 7am to board their bus to bring them to a pitch where the u12 team never played before, Croke Park. Although it was early the excitement was palpable as renditions of “People always ask us … who we are … “ and “When I play for the county” were repeated over and over again at higher and higher octaves as we got closer to Croker. To save their voices and empty some excited bladders we stopped off at the Manor Stone junction. After refuelling the bodies we headed for the hallowed ground.
As we made our way towards the Stadium the cheers started getting louder and all the faces lit up as the bus drove along Clonliffe Road and entered the stadium finally parking up at Cusack Stand end. We all disembarked and the lads ran past the entrance to the Museum and up the steps and into the stadium where they stopped and took in the view as their dream of playing on the pitch where up to now only their heroes played, was getting closer and closer.
We were met by Croke Park officials who explained where to go and what time to be ready for, they were brilliant and answered all the questions. The boys had their official team photo taken and this was, for many, the first time stepping on the sacred pitch. Our first game was against Cappawhite, Tipperary, reffed by one of our own, Ronan O’Riordan ! Our thirteen lads as expected took a bit of time to adjust to their new surroundings but soon got into the game. 11 minutes a side goes by so fast it was over before we all knew it and came out on top 3-2 to 3-0. Now it was the turn of the lads who didn’t play in the first game to step out onto pitch and do battle with De La Salle, Waterford. Ronan refed again and again nervy start by our lads but a few goals steadied all our nerves and we finally came out on top 3-2 to 2-2. After a well earned break for refuelling and re-enactment by some of the two games, the last game awaited, Bruff, Limerick, was the opposition. Great close game and each team trading scores but Bruff managed to pip us 2-2 to 2-3, we put it down to too much refuelling !!! The Two Johnnies sang their “famous song”! “When I play for the county “ and our lads sang along. Next on the agenda was a tour of Croke Park, which included a visit to the dressing room and warm-up room. They then ran out the tunnel and up to the Hogan stand where they received a massive cheer from their many supporters.
With hundreds of pictures and videos taken we all bid farewell to Croke Park and on the bus journey home reminisced about this very special day which we all enjoyed watching a very special group of lads play hurling for Bride Rovers and my god they all did the club so proud. Memories for life. We all hope that one day, they will grace Croke park again in the Green, White and Gold of Bride Rovers and the Red and White of Cork. On Saturday it was back to our own pitch for a home game.. We met Cobh in the u 12 league and won by 9 10 to 2 7. On next Sat April 27th we are away to Carrigtwohill at 3pm. Hurling training at Pynes Field tonight Thursday at 7pm.
Under 14 Hurling League.
We played Aghada at home on our first outing on Saturday 20 April. Aghada were a strong team and on the day outplayed us. We lost by 5 points to 3-10 in the finish but we are already focussing on our next game at home to Ballincollig on next Friday 26 April. Antrim have been confirmed as the County we will be hosting for the Feile in early June.
UNDER 21's IN COUNTY.
Our East Cork winning under21 Football team are down to play the County Quarter Final on this coming Saturday April 27th. Our opposition are Ballyhooley/Castletownroche combination Ballycastle Gaels. At the time of writing no time or venue had been finalised. Best of luck lads.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
