Premier U21 Hurling & the AGM..

We might be nearing the last month of 2019 but action continues unabated, both on and off the Playing Fields. Last Sunday for instance saw Pairc na Bride host three games in quick succession. The final game of that triple-header saw our Junior C Hurling team qualify for the East Cork Championship Final. This coming weekend will be no less busy. On Sunday we have the quarter final of the Premier 2 Under 21 County Hurling Championship and the Club's Annual General meeting on Monday night

East Cork JCHC semi-final.

We won the toss for venue for our semi final game in the Junior C Hurling Championship against Russell Rovers. Our under 21 hurlers had a practise game in Pairc na Bride at half 11. This was followed by an East Cork ladies Football Final, Bride Rovers v Mayfield at half 1 and then the hurling game at 3 o clock. In fairness the pitch was in brilliant form, very few pitches could take three games at this time of year. The Shanagarry/ Ballycotton side got off to a flying start with two quick points. It took our lads a while to get going but a point from Dave Burke after eight minutes settled us. Russell Rovers then went 0 3 to 0 1 ahead before Dave had our second white flag. Russell Rovers then added a goal followed by a point to lead by 1 4 to 0 2. Terry Broderick hit a great point after good work by James Murphy and Oisin Roche. Two pointed frees from Dave narrowed the gap to two points. Russell Rovers went up three again before we took over for the last ten minutes of the first half. Two points each from Dave and Terry put us ahead by 0 9 to 1 5 at half time. We were in a good position after a slow start. Our defence had settled well and were in control. Terry put us two ahead in the first minute of the second half. After five minutes with no score Russell Rovers got through for a goal to go a point ahead. From a free Terry levelled the scores once more and then Seamus Ahern put us ahead once more. The game was there for the taking now as Russell Rovers tied it up again. Dave gave us the lead in the fifteenth minute and Richie Cahill hit over a great score to put us two ahead 0 15 to 2  7. With eight minutes to go just a single pint divided the teams. Our lads finished the strongest. Tomas Kearney had a goal bound effort saved but Terry hit over the resultant free and we were two ahead. Two more white flags from leading scorers Terry and Dave put us 0 18 to 2 8 ahead. Russell Rovers attacked in waves for the last few minutes. They were awarded two close in frees but our backline held out for a four point win. Well done lads on a great performance. We are now in the East Cork Final against hot favourites Cobh. They had a big win over last year's winners Carrignavar in Carrig last Sunday. We actually met Cobh in our opening Group game in Cobh on Sunday August 25th, the game ended in a draw 0 15 each. Team & scorers against Russell Rovers last Sunday ; Ben Hogan, Mark O'Connell, Damien Healy, Brian Lahive, John O'Sullivan, James Murphy, Oisin Roche, Terry Broderick (0 8), Tom Murray, Dylan Browne, Dave Burke (0 8), Richie Cahill (0 1), Daniel Lane, Paddy Croke, Seamus Ahern(0 1) Subs: Craig O’Callaghan for Daniel Lane (inj), Tomas Kearney for Paddy Croke, Paddy Croke for Brian Lahive (inj)

Our team v Cobh in August was; Ben Hogan, Mark O’Connell, Damien Healy, Oisin Roche, Jack Kearney, James Murphy, Brian Lahive,  Jake Tobin,  Pa O’Driscoll, Colm Power (0-6, 0-5 frees),  Dave Burke (0-4), Owen Murphy (0-2), Seamus Ahern,  Alan O’Keeffe (0-2, 0-1 free),Craig O’Callaghan (0-1) Subs: Patrick Croke, Ciarán O’Grady, Cian Howard.  Jack Kearney, Colm Power and Alan O Keeffe subsequently played Junior B Hurling championship. In our second game against Castlemartyr which was played in Rathcormac in October our lineout was; Ben Hogan, Mark O'Connell, Damien Healy, Brian Lahive, Oisin Roche, James Murphy, John O'Sullivan, Jake Tobin, Tom Murray, Daniel Lane, Dave Burke, Dylan Browne, Tomas Kearney, Paddy Croke, Seamus Ahern Sub: Matthew Quinn. We won that game by 3 15 to 2 11.

We now have two Junior Finals to play in East Cork, the JHL Division 2 Final v Midleton and the Junior C Championship Final v Cobh. Due to the under 21 game next weekend it's likely these Finals will go back until December at least.

Under 21 P 1 HC Quarter Final.

Having won the County u21 A Grade HC last year we were promoted to the Premier 2 Grade this year. In our opening round in Blarney we had a good win over Cloughduv. Since that game the lads have played a few practise games. On Sunday next we face Aghabullogue in the quarter final, they defeated Inniscarra last weekend and will be very tough opposition. The game will be played in the 4 G Pitch at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday night at 7.30pm. Go for it lads and let's hope for great support on the night.

Annual General Meeting .

The Club's AGM will be held on next Monday night November the 25th at 8pm in the Old National School, Rathcormac. The meeting will review the year gone by and make our plans for 2020. A reminder that all Nomination and Motion Forms must be returned to the Club Runai by this Friday November the 22nd. The AGM this year will reflect on a year of very mixed fortunes for the Bride Rovers Club. Having competed in the Senior Grade since we defeated Inniscarra in the Intermediate Final in 2003 we find ourselves taking part at Senior A  grade next year. This will be a twelve team championship played on a Round Robin basis -the draws were made last Tuesday night. In Football we had one of our best ever seasons winning the East Cork Junior and under 21 championships and the 2018 League Titles. Club Development has continued again this year with many improvements in our facilities, all of which are needed with growing playing numbers all the time. The AGM is a time for everyone, players, members and supporters to come and express views on the future of the Club . We are always looking for new members to join our club. They say 'many hands make light work' so the more working members we have the better. Please do come along to Rathcormac Old School on Monday night for 8 o clock.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

On November the 12th the four numbers drawn were 19, 29, 31, 32  and there was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Fr Sean Barry, Liam O'Mahoney, Billy Kelleher, Shauna & Emma O'Neill and Helen Arnold.

The Jackpot for Tuesday November the 19th was €20,000. Tickets for the weekly Lotto are just €2 each and can be had from Club Members, in Local business outlets or online at locallotto.ie Your support for the Lotto is deeply appreciated.

SCOR.  

The season for SCOR, the GAA talent competition is starting soon. First up is Scor na nOg for under 17 competitors. We are hoping and trying to get competitors for the East Cork Final in Lisgoold on November 30th for Singing, music, recitation, quiz and instrumental music. If you would like to represent the Bride Rovers Club please contact Mossie O Sullivan at 086 8354093 over the weekend.

CONVENTIONS.

The East Cork Convention is on Dec 4th in Killeagh and County Convention in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday Dec 8th. In East Cork Avril Geary St Itas and Patrick Mulcahy are contesting the position of PRO. At County level Tracey Kennedy and Donal Leahy are seeking to succeed Bob Ryan as Cork's delegate to Central Council.

Bride Rovers sponsors are; Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design, & Veolia.