Footballers Lose out in Semi...
The Junior B Footballers travelled to Kilmurry on Saturday last to take on the Carbery divisional champions, Goleen in the County Junior B Football Championship Semi Final. The Rovers had overcome Inniscarra in the Quarter Final and were hopeful of making it to the County Final however, it was not to be their day. This was a game of two halves with our lads never getting into their stride in the first half and conceding 2-06 whilst kicking over four points. Our lack of scoring in the opening half was to ultimately be the downfall. The second half saw the Rovers come out and dominate from start to finish. With seven points in a row we looked likely winners. However after bringing the game back to a three point difference after seventeen minutes, the scoring dried up and we didn't score again. Goleen went through as victors on a score line of 2-07 to 0-11 points. This will be there second County Football Final this year having lost out to Grange on the 'open' County JBFC earlier this year. Goleen will meet either Kiskeam or St. Michaels in the Co. Final. This is a youthful Bride Rovers team and 2019 has been a fantastic building block for the future with the U21s and Juniors both winning East Cork titles and both going on to with their quarter finals and lose out at County Semi Final stage. We also captured the 2018 JFL Div 3 Title. There is no doubt that this will stand well to the group and there is lots more to come in the next few years.
The team on Saturday was: Ben Hogan, Tadhg O Sullivan, Liam Forde (Captain), Jason Pratt, Jordan Mannix, Shane O Connor, Thomas Murray, Patrick O Flynn, Shane Walsh (0-01), Cian Hogan(0-01), DJ Cahill, Conor Barry (0-05), Griffin O Keeney Sullivan, William Finnegan (0-02), Conleith Ryan (0-02), Jamie Barry, Dylan Browne, Damien Buckley, Daniel Dooley, Kieran Kearney, Jason Mannix, Shane O' Flynn, John O' Sullivan, Ryan Prendergast, Brian Roche and Eoin Roche.
HEARTBREAK FOR UNDER 15's
Our under 15s travelled to Ballinlough last Saturday to take on St Finbars in the u15 premier 1 Championship semi final. In 2019 the Premier 1 Under 15 competition was ran on a League+Championship basis. A League was ran during the year with 8 teams having 7 games each. The Top 4 then Qualified for a Knock Out Championship Competition. We won six of our seven games to qualify for the semi final against the Barrs. The weather on Saturday was atrocious it rained from start to finish but it didn't matter to these two teams as they served up another cracker of a contest .It was a very tight first half with the Rovers leading at half time by just a point. Scores were really hard to come by and the second half was no different. At the final whistle it was all square. Now we were into extra time and the Barrs started very strong in the first period leading by 4 points at the break. Into the second half of extra time we found ourselves 6 points down with 5 minutes to play but in fairness to this super bunch of Rovers lads they kept going till the end scoring a goal and a point to lose out by 2 points on a final scoreline of 1 18 to 2 13. Our lads were devastated at the end but this Barrs team knew they were in a real hard battle at the final whistle with both teams out on their feet
Panel Ronan o Riordan' Cormac, Liam, Adam Hynes, Denis, Conor, Ronan O Connell, David, Cillian Tobin, Adam Hayes, Adam Walsh, Nicky, Ryan, Josh, Cillian Barry, Kieran, Louis, Ben, Jack, Eldon .Also a big thanks to Darren Cody who helped us out on the day(physio)
The Rovers and the Barrs have had a huge rivalry over the last three seasons. In 2017 at u 13 level we lost out narrowly in Togher in the League Semi Final. Last year at under 14 level the teams met three times in the Feile Final, in the Championship and in the League Final. After two defeats we won the League Final. This year in the under 15 League we had beaten the Barrs by 4 17 to 4 12. This team lost just one game in their League Programme, to Na Piarsaigh. They defeated Douglas by 3 24 to 2 3, Blackrock by 5 16 to 1 10, Ballincollig by 5 17 to 1 8, Glen Rovers by 1 18 to 1 9 and Midleton by 7 13 to 1 7. They have provided us with absolutely brilliant hurling, not alone this year, but over the last three seasons. Well done boys. Losing is tough but ye are a team of great characters and stick together, there's no doubt that great days are in store in the future.
Next fixture is at home to Midleton in the u15 football challenge cup semi final to be played on the 19th of October, no time yet.
PREMIER UNDER 21 HURLING SUNDAY.
On next Sunday we play our first ever game at Premier Under 21 Hurling level. Having won the County A Championship last year we are in a higher Grade this year. On December the 9th last year we defeated Cloughduv in the County A final in Pairc Ui Rinn on a 1 14 to 1 10 scoreline. When the 2019 Draw was made we were again paired with Cloughduv. The game goes ahead in Blarney at 3 o clock next Sunday. Our opponents have also reached the County Intermediate Final this year so will be very tough opposition. Best of luck lads.
JUNIORS IN LEAGUE FINAL.
It was confirmed at the East Cork Board last week that our Junior team will contest the 2019 JHL Div 2 Final and will be promoted for 2020. When we defeated Midleton in our last game we thought we were then in the League Final v Midleton but that's not how it turned out. We ended up with 12 League Points,, Midleton had 13 and Carrigtwohill 11. Because Carrignavar gave two walk overs all their games were declared null and void including Midleton's victory over Carrig. That took Midleton's total back to 11 so they have to play-ff with Carrigtwohill for a League Final place.
BRIDE ROVERS GAA WEEKLY LOTTO.
On Tuesday October 1st the jackpot was €20,000. The four numbers drawn were 1, 13, 19, 31 and there was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Barry Browne, Shauna & Emma O'Neill, Melanie Hayes, Niamh Barry, Yvonne Horne.
The Jackpot for last Tuesday night October the 8th was again €20,000. Tickets for the Lotto are just €2 each and can be purchased from Club Members and in Local business outlets or online at locallotto.ie
ASTRO TURF.
Our Astro Turf playing areas can be hired by contacting Maurice Dooley, Club Runai at 087 0569920.
CORK v KERRY.
The draw for the 2020 Munster Senior F championship was made on RTE on Tuesday morning last. Cork were drawn v Kerry in the Munster Semi Final. If the proposed 2nd Tier Football Championship is introduced next year it could have serious implications for Cork Footballers. At Special Congress in Cork on Saturday week the GAA attempt to bring in this new set up. Basically any teams in the Division 3 and 4 of the National League that do not get to their Provincial Final are out of the race to win the Sam Maguire. Cork, for 2020, are in Div 3 of the NFL so if Kerry beat us in the Munster semi final we're gone from the All Ireland SF championship-crazy isn't it?
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres