Under 16 Hurlers Defeat Glen Rovers...

Because of the  shortened' season this year due to the covid pandemic many of the Rebel Og competitions have been changed in format. The Premier 1 under 16 hurlers would normally have both a League and a Championship- two separate competitions but for 2020 it will be just one an Under16 league/championship. We are in a group of 4 teams -ourselves, Midleton,  Glen Rovers and Carrigtwohill.   

Last Saturday we travelled to the Glen Field on the  north side of Cork city to take on Glen Rovers in our first league/championship game of the year.

The match was down for a 2pm throw in Unfortunately the referee was not told about the game and in fairness to him after a few phone calls he arrived on the scene at 2.45. It  wasn't ideal for our lads as it probably was the longest warm up in history 

When the game eventually got going it was a bit helter skelter and took us a while to get going. An early goal for the Glen put them in a strong position but we got four points in a row after that. We went 1 5 to a goal ahead but the Glen added 1 2 before we raised three more white flags.  At half time we were a goal ahead , 1  8 to 2  2.  The second half went a lot better for us as  we tightened up at the back and our forwards did some real damage. We dominated the last quarter running out winners on a scoreline of 4-17 to 2-8. It was a great start to our campaign. Our captain this year is Ronan o Connell, well done Ronan and all the panel. .A big thanks also  to Darren Cody, our physio on Saturday. In our Group on Saturday Midleton looked very impressive with an easy win over Carrigtwohill. Panel Ronan O Riordan, Cormac O Sullivan, Liam Collins, Eldon O Connor, Denis Cashman, Conor Hazelwood, Kieran Cotter, Davy Barry, Cillian Tobin, Nicky Kelleher, Adam Walsh, Ronan o Connell, Louis Roche, Josh Ahern, Adam Hayes, Ryan O Callaghan, Cillian Barry, Kieran Ryan, Ciaran O Dowd ,Darragh Kielty, Adam Hynes. Our next under 16 game is at home to Midleton on Aug 1st at 12 noon in Rathcormac 

 Hurling at Ballysaggart

 A windswept Ballysaggart was the venue on Friday evening last for the senior hurlers third challenge game since 'comeback'. In West Waterford, the Ballysaggart Club has progressed up to Senior level in the Decies backboned by the well known Bennett brothers. Both sets of players seemed well up for this one with championship only around the corner. Once again like the previous games the wind was a telling factor in this one. The Rovers played with the wind at their backs in the opening period but in a strange game, ended up going in at the interval three points in arrears. The second half followed the same pattern with the team facing into the wind being more productive. The game ended in an exciting climax with the draw being a fair result on the night. The Final Score was - Bride Rovers 2-17 Ballysaggart 3-14

Panel; Cian Hogan, Matt Quinn  Michael Collins  Patrick O'Flynn  Conor Barry  William Finnegan Brian Murphy Tadhg O'Sullivan Shane O'Connor Eoin Roche 

Shane Walsh Jason Mannix Jordan Mannix Liam Forde, Jack Connor  John O'Sullivan Dan Dooley DJ.Cahill . Kieran Kearney  Conleith Ryan Brian Roche .

Our first round championship game is on Saturday week August 1st in Ballincolig at 5 o clock. It's a strange time but these are strange times. We will receive only a very small allocation of Admission Tickets for this fixture. When these game were being fixed a month ago the expectation was that the attendance for 'outdoor gatherings' would be 500 from last Monday July 20th. Unfortunately this did not materialise. For the Ballymartle game just 200 can be present and that includes teams, subs, selectors, referee and his officials, Ballincollig Club Stewards and Press so the crowd will be tiny. No dressingrooms will be opened until at least August the 10th.

Update for the Under 8 Players.: 

The Under 8 boys started their season in wet conditions at Pynes Field  last Saturday. However, the clouds gave way to the enthusiasm to be back on the pitch and 22 boys were greeted with sunshine halfway through their first hurling session of the year. The lads have obviously been practising hard during lockdown and their enthusiasm and ability for "air hurling" is now to the fore. Training will be every Saturday at Pynes at 10am with football resuming this week. New players are always welcomed. Any boy born in 2012 can come along and will be catered for.

Our thanks to all players, parents and guardians for their support in filling out documentation and encouraging the boys to keep good hygiene habits down at the pitch.

Under 15 Hurling. 

Our under 15 Hurling team are back in action. They have a challenge game on Saturday next  25 July in main pitch v Watergrasshill at 2.30pm. 

Junior Hurling. 

On Saturday evening last St Itas from Gortroe came to Rathcormac for a Junior Hurling practise game. With Imokilly and Cork Captain Seamus Harnedy in brilliant form the visitors had a good win. We wiil probably be playing our first game in the East Cork Junior B Grade championship on the weekend of August 7th/9th. 

Lotto. 

Our Lotto Jackpot is at €20,000 so  join online at http://briderovers.ie/  or purchase from any of the retail outlets locally.

On Tuesday July the 14th the four numbers drawn were12,15,17 and 24 and there was no winner. The €30 lucky dip winners this week were Mick Kelleher Sandra O Flynn Eddie Barry Louie Roche and Elaine Collins. The Jackpot for Tuesday July 21st was €20,000 

UNDER 14 FIXTURES. 

Monday August 3rd at home to Ballygiblin 7pm.
Monday August 17th away to Killavullen 7pm.
Monday August 31st home to Ballycastle Gaels 7pm.
Monday September 14th away to  Clyda Rovers 7pm.  

UNDER 10'Ss TRAINING. 

Players under years of age are back practising the skills of both hurling and football. Football training sessions are on Wednesday at 6:30pm and hurling on Saturday at 10am. This age group are a great bunch who just want to learn. Winning or losing or keeping the score is of no consequence. It's all about having fun and learning to improve the many skills and have an enjoyable time. 

NEW CLUB JERSEY. 

The new Bride Rovers jersey is now available to purchase on oneills.com. Available in all sizes. Lots of other club gear is also available to purchase including Club shorts and socks which can be bought from our Club Shop. Please contact Betty Cahill 0861540902 or Kathleen Johnson -86 3807784.. 

Bride Rovers Club Gear. 

Now that we are back in action on all fronts it's important to wear the Green, White and Gold of the Club whenever possible. We have negotiated to have a full range of our Club Gear available to purchase from O Neills Sportswear. At present all sizes of jersies, t-shirts, shorts, jackets, polo shirts and tracksuits are in stock at reasonable prices.  Go to Oneills.ie and then search in the list of club names for 'Bride Rovers' and you'll see the full range. 

SYMPATHY. 

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of Joe Kearney, Fermoy and Fr. Peter Hegarty, Coolagown. Joe was President of Fermoy GAA Club and never missed a Club game. Joe was one of the select band of men from Araglen Parish in the County of Tipperary. Joe was born and reared in that part of Araglen that lies in the Premier County. Though a proud Tipperary man Joe Kearney served his GAA Club in Fermoy in every capacity over many years. He died unexpectedly last week. Bride Rovers extends sympathy to the Kearney family and also to the Fermoy GAA Club.  

It was with a sense of shock and disbelief that we heard of the sudden death of Fr Peter Hegarty of Coolagown. Born into a very large family steeped in sporting traditions Peter joined the Kiltegan fathers -the same Order as our own Fr Seanie Barry, and ministered for years in Africa. Fr Peter returned to Ireland about ten years ago -not to retire because he was busier than ever. Fr Peter was a vital Priest in counties all over South Munster for the last decade. He celebrated Masses for priests that were sick or on holidays and never said no. He was a lovely preacher and a great friend to everyone he met. His family on the Hegarty and Linehan sides were well known in the GAA, athletics and cycling circles. May Fr Peter's gentle soul rest in peace. We extend our deepest sympathy to Fr Peter's brothers and sisters, his extended family and the Kiltegan Fathers throughout the world. 

NEW SEATS. 

The new seating on the roadside of Pairc na Bride has come in for much favourable comment. Whether it's a match or a training session the seating has become a focal 'gathering place' for young and old. There is a fantastic view of the playing pitch no matter where you are sitting and great credit is due to the fantastic work of the Club's Field Committee who did Trojan work in the April til July period. 

Parish Newsletter. 

The Parish Newsletter can be emailed to anyone in the Parish who would like to get a copy. Each Saturday the latest edition will be sent out. If you wish to get a copy just forward your email address to rathcormacpp@gmail.com  Masses are now being celebrated on both Rathcormac and Bartlemy Church once more with additional weekday Masses in both Churches. 

Kieran O Connor RIP. 

Gaels in East Cork and all over the country were saddened last week when they heard that Kieran O Connor of Aghada had died. A brilliant clubman Kieran starred in the Green of his native Club before going on to play with Cork. As a member of the Cork Senior Football team Kieran won Munster and All Ireland honours as well as several National Football league titles. A committed and wholehearted defender Kieran showed that same tenacity in his battle with cancer in recent years. When diagnosed a few years back friends set up a Fund Raising drive to help defray medical and other costs. The response from the GAA Community nationwide was massive mirroring the respect and love that the wider community had for Kieran and his family. On behalf of all in Bride Rovers GAA Club we extend our deepest sympathy to Sinead, Isabelle, Ava and James, to Kieran's parents Pat and Mary to his siblings and relations and friends. 

Down Memory Lane.  

The 1950's brought little success on the playing fields of East Cork to teams from our parish but the great Gaels of the time ' kept the show on the road'. In 1956 and 1957 the under 16 hurling and football teams hit the headlines contesting three East Cork Finals in those two seasons. In 1956 the hurling team drew the under 16 final with Sars but lost the reply. This was the lineout; Donie Pyne, Tom Barry, Derry O Leary, Eddy Heskin, Pat Barry, Mike Murphy, Paddy O Sullivan, Tony O Brien, Sean Leahy, Tom McAuliffe, John Quirke, Jimmy O Brien, Brian Canniffe, Eddy Meade, Paddy Beecher, The following year both hurling and football Finals were contested in East Cork. Cobh proved too strong in the football but the hurlers won, defeating Sars by 4 1 to 2 0. 

The Football team was Mike Sheehan, Eddy Heskin, Mike Murphy, Pat Barry, John Kenny, Tony O Brien Captain, Jimmy O Brien, Sean Leahy, Sean Keating, John Gubbins, Eddy Meade, Donie Pyne, Brian Canniffe, Tom McAuliffe, John Barrett.  The victorious hurling side was Mick Ryan, John Shorten, Eddy Heskin, Pat Barry, Finbarr Neville, Mike Murphy, John Kenny, Sean Leahy Captain, Tony O Brien vice captain, Tom McAuliffe, Eddy Meade, Jimmy O Brien, John Gubbins, Donie Pyne, Brian Canniffe Paddy Beecher, James Heskin Sean Keating, Paddy O Connor. Interestingly Mick Ryan the goalie was from Watergrasshill, he was ordained later in life- Fr Michael Ryan. His brother Eamonn -later Cork Senior Footballer and brilliant Cork Ladies Football trainer, was in goals for Sars! As there was no Juvenile team in Watergrasshill at the time players could play with whatever Club they wished. I have been told that a photograph was taken of the winning team but to date I have failed to find a copy. 

Captions

1 . Declan Kearney being presented with the East Cork JHL Cup  by John Hennessy after the 1982 Final. The decider against Cobh was played in Castlelyons on Saturday September 25th at 5 o clock. The Rovers retained the title by winning on a scoreline of 3 10 to 2 6. In September 1981 we had defeated Castlemartyr in the JHL Final- our first ever league title. In the 1981 Final the Rovers also scored 3 10 to Ccastlemaryr's 0 6. Mossy Dooley was the Captain in 1981.

2 ' The Great and The Good' John Arnold with other Cork GAA stewards pictured with Hurling Legends, Limerick's Pat Hartigan and Cork's Charlie McCarthy. The picture was taken  on Sunday 13 July 2014, when Cork beat Limerick 2 24 to 0 24 in the last major game played in the Stadium before redevelopment.
 

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres&  Fermoy Print & Design,