Senior Hurling Heartbreak..
When a team scores 4 goals and sixteen points in a hurling game you'd expect a victory. Not so in Mallow last Sunday however where we suffered a heartbreaking, sickening, defeat by a single point to Ballyhea. It was in the second round of the Cork Senior Hurling Championship but much more than a place in Round 3 was at stake. With the Cork Championships being restructured for 2020 only the quarter finalists of this year are guaranteed Senior Status for next year. This defeat means that after sixteen years we will now have to compete in the second Tier Senior A competition next year. Truly this was a game we could and should nave won. We dominated the first quarter and our 1 6 to 0 2 lead after seventeen minutes could easily have been 3 6 to 0 2 such was our dominance after an early goal from Conleith Ryan. We had superb points from in-form Barry Johnson, Michael Collins and Shane O Connor. However our failure to really put Ballyhea away early on ultimately cost us the game. In a four minute spell the North Cork side tore into the game, scoring 2 2 without reply and we were stunned completely. Points were swapped with Barry and Daniel Dooley adding to our tally. At the break Ballyhea led by two points 2 9 to 1 10 -a turnaround of nine points. In fairness to our lads they started the second half in mighty for with Barry reducing the deficit to a single point. A long ball in the 37th minute from paddy O Flynn was finished to the net by Barry and we were 2 11 to 2 9 ahead. Ballyhea got a point before we forged ahead again. Barry score 1 2 in five minutes and then a Brian Roche point put us 5 ahead with ten minutes left. Now it seemed we were in control of the match but we faded again. Ballyhea took over and scored 1 7 to leave us five behind with ordinary time nearly up. Then Barry Johnson struck for his third goal deep into injury time to leave us two behind. Then in the sixth minute of added time we were awarded a free in. Barry stepped up but unfortunately his bullet of a shot went just over the bar. The final whistle went and we were out if the Championship on a scoreline of 3 20 to 4 16. We've had many great wins and narrow defeats over the decades at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level but this was surely the worst of all. Twice in the game we had built up good leads but failed to finish off the opposition. What can I say of Barry Johnson? How many times over the years has he given brilliant displays in the green, white and gold jersey and last Sunday must rank as the best ever. He scored a magnificent 3 9 yet ended up on the losing side after a superhuman effort. I know the players and management team are absolutely gutted after this defeat. They had all put in an extraordinary amount of work since last December but now have nothing to show for it. We had huge support in Mallow on Sunday - easily the biggest support of the four teams there and the sense of sadness and utter devastation was to be seen on the faces of our fans. Ballyhea now go on to meet Kanturk in Round 3- Kanturk defeated Erins Own in the opening tie in Mallow.
Team; Shaunie Knox, Fergus Collins vice captain, Liam Forde, Tadhg O Sullivan, Shane Walsh, Brian Murphy, Eoin Roche, Shane O Connor (0 1), Jason Pratt captain, Michael Collins (0 1), Daniel Dooley (0 2), Barry Johnson (3 9,0 7 frees, 01 65), C. Ryan (1 1), Paddy O Flynn ( 0 1) Brian Roche (0 1); sub Kieran Kearney. After a great run the league it's just so disappointing to be gone from the championship so early. We've had five games in Senior Championship over the last two years with only one win, against Na Piarsaigh. On Holy Saturday night when we lost to Douglas in Round 1 in Riverstown we played well against a top class team but last Sunday we were totally on top twice and yet lost which makes the defeat even harder to take. That's sport for ya, the ups and the downs and we'll have to move on and keep trying. This has been a tough week for the players but, lads, as a parish and a Club we are very proud of ye all in victory and defeat so keep those heads up. We will have great days again.
Rebel Og Under15 Premier 1 hurling
We played Douglas last Wednesday evening in Rathcormac in the u15 Premier 1 hurling league. This was our second last game in the league and we needed a good result after our defeat to na Piarsaigh two weeks previously. We were missing a few key players due to holidays and injuries but that didn't stop our lads putting in a great performance on the night. With some superb scoring and defending we won on a scoreline of 3-24 to 2-3 putting us back on top of the league. Our final game is away to Midleton on the 4th of September. The format of this Under 15 competition is on a League basis with the top four teams then meeting for a knockout two semi finals and a final.
Panel vs Douglas Ronan, Eldon Liam, Cormac, Adam Hynes ,Cillian Tobin, Denis, Ronan O Connell, Nicky, Adam Hayes, Adam Walsh, Cillian Barry, Ryan, Josh, Ben, Jack, Kieran.
Weekly Club Lotto.
On Tuesday August the 6th the Jackpot was €20,000 and the four numbers drawn were 2, 3, 5, 7, there was no winner
€30 each to Kathleen O'Regan, Kay Sheehan, Maurice Kearney, Ann Galvin, Ian Doherty. Tickets are just €2 each and can be bought from members, in local businesses and online. 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.
Rathcormac Road Race on August 22nd.
The annual Rathcormac 4 Mile Road Race Kindly sponsored by Jump Juice Bars will take place on Thursday 22nd August in Rathcormac.
This race is being hosted by Bridevale Athletic Club & Bride Rovers Ladies Football & Camogie Club.
The entry fee is €10 and the race start time is 7.30pm
The Race HQ will be Rathcormac Community Hall.
Runners are encouraged to pre-register, this will speed up the process on the night. No payment up front, pre-register now and collect your running number on the race night and pay then.
You can pre-register the following ways:
1. Register on the day of the race in Rathcormac Hall from 6pm to 7pm
2. Pre-register on facebook by sending your Name, Age & Club
3. Pre-register on Thursday 15th in Rathcormac Hall at 7pm
4. Pre-register also by emailing your Name, Age & Club
Email: rathcormac4mile@gmail.com
The race will be chip timed and is approved by AAI. There are lots of Category prizes also. Refreshments will be served after the race in Rathcormac Hall.
Race sponsors are Jump Juice, TVM, Gubbins Construction, Finns Veterinary, Shelly Mac Fitness and Fermoy Print & Design.
Under 7 Hurling & Football.
We host a blitz on this SaturdayAugust 17th when we welcome neighbours Fermoy, Castlelyons, St.Catherines and Watergrasshill/Glenville to Páirc Na Bríde for a 10am start. Training this week is the normal time of 6.30pm on Wednesday (football) and 10am Saturday (hurling).
Junior B Hurling Championship.
We are down to play Killeagh in the Round Robin section of the East Cork JBHC on this Friday night August 16th. We defeated Sars in our first game but have lost Tadhg and Shane to the Senior team and Stephen Pratt to injury so it will be a tough encounter. No venue was fixed at time of writing.
Junior C Hurling.
We have a home game v Youghal on Tuesday August the 20th in the East Cork Div 3HL at 7.30pm. Our opening game in the Junior c H Championship is on Sunday week August 25th v Cobh.
All Ireland u 20 Final.
The All Ireland u 20 H Final Cork v Tipperary has been confirmed for the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday week August 24th at 6 o clock. Tickets for the Mackey stand can be pre purchased through the usual Supermarket outlets. We wish Brian and Eoin all the best for this game.
Leaving Cert Results.
Congrats to all who got their Leaving Cert results on Tuesday last, we hope ye all got what points ye were hoping for.
Best Wishes.
Best wishes to Castletownroche who take on Lough Rovers in the County J B Hurling Final this weekend in Pairc Ui Rinn.
JBFC Final
Our East Cork Junior B Football Final v Ballinacurra is down for decision on September the 6th
Premier Under 21 Hurling
Our first round game v Cloughduv has not yet been fixed as Cloughduv are involved in the Cork IHC.
All Ireland.
So strange to say it's All Ireland Hurling Final weekend and it only the middle of August but it's on Sunday next. Would you ever think that Tipp have won the title more recently than the Cats? but Tipp won in 2016 while Kilkenny have had a 'famine' in their terms not winning since 2015. Brian Cody aims to bring the Mc Carthy Cup Noreside for the 12th. time -his first win in charge was in 2000. Liam Sheedy guided Tipp to win the Title in 2010 and is now back at the helm. Over the years these neighbours have met 27 times in Championship Hurling at Senior level with Tipp winning 14, Kilkenny 12 and 1 draw. Because the two counties have a long geographical border the rivalry is mighty. We're lucky in the Bride Rovers Club to have got some great new members in recent years from both Counties and they are making a huge contribution to the Club. Hopefully twill be a cracker as Kilkenny go for title No 37 and Tipp bid for No 28. Safe travelling to all going to Croke Park on Sunday.
EAST CORK S/F
On Saturday we host Watergrasshill v Carrignavar in the East Cork JAHC semi final at 4.30. If you are available to help please be at the pitch at 3 o clock..
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres