Seniors Win & Under 16's in County Final. 

It was a great hurling weekend for the Club as August ebbed away. Two hugely important games and we won both, in the Premier 1 Rebel Og under 16 hurling Semi Final and in the Senior A County Hurling Championship. Well September is here and the evenings are drawing in but thankfully our Playing pitches will be reverberating with the sound of leather on ash for a long time yet.  

Our under 16 team had a great win on Saturday at high noon in Togher. With the past three seasons Bride Rovers and St Finbarrs have had some mighty clashes at under 13, 14 and 15 and in Feile Competitions. We beat the Barrs in a League Final but the city side had come out on top in several tight encounters. 

In the Senior Championship Round Robin Group we had mixed fortunes in our first two games with an opening day win against Ballymartle before a heavy defeat to Fr O Neills.  Our game last Saturday against Kilworth was one which had six possible outcomes! Kilworth or ourselves could progress to the quarter finals, end up in the Relegation Final or just finish mid-table. It was a tense game with a lot of nerves and not conducive of brilliant hurling. Over the years we often played brilliant hurling but ended up on the losing side so on this occasion a victory was vital. 

PREMIER 1 UNDER 16  HURLING Semi Final. 

Because of the Covid situation this year practically all GAA competitions have been altered. Normally at under 16 Premier 1 level both  Championship and league would be run off as separate competitions but this year they were combined into one. Eight teams were divided into two groups of 4 and the teams played three games each. We defeated Glen Rovers and Carrigtwohill and lost to Midleton. We ended up as the second team in our Group behind Midleton. The Barrs were winners of their group and therefore had home venue for the semi final.  

We started against a strong breeze blowing into the corner in the first half. We got off to a great start with Josh Ahern winning  great  possession and scoring two fast points. The Barrs responded quickly and the scores came freely from both sides in a very physical and tough game.  Before the sliotar was thrown in the ref said he would let the  game flow and that's how it turned out.  The tackles and hits were hard and very honest from both teams,
In fairness the Rovers team were very focussed in their preparation for the last few weeks for this game and they kept their concentration all through the contest. Composure was maintained even against the very fast puck outs from the Barrs and we had to make players move and play out of position as our opposition varied their play. Liam Collins was being pulled out from full back to the wings but great cover from Denis Cashman, Conor Hazelwood, Eldon O Conor, Cormac O Sullivan and Ciaran Cotter helped enormously The first half was score for score and both teams raised the white flag eight times .
We played team Captain Ronan O Connell away from his wing forward position as a sweeper and that aided the backs to control the opposition attack. With some brilliant hurling and consistent work rate from our center field and forwards we never slackened..
We won frees and Adam Hayes and Adam Walsh took them very well. The energy and hard play from Cillian Tobin and David Barry at Centre field allowed us to create great attacks aided by Louis Roche and Nicky Kelleher and sub Adam Hynes. Fifteen minutes into the second half we were three ahead, 0 12 to 0 9 but St Finbarrs brought it back to one. In the end we won a massive game by sixteen points to 1 10. We could have picked a man of the match performance from any of our out field players but the courage and skill from our goalkeeper Ronan O Riordan was outstanding with three brilliant saves in open play. We had scores from Liam Collins, Adam Hayes, Adam Walsh, Cillian Tobin and Ronan O Connell and Louis Roche .
Well done to all the players on the Panel and to the Team Management of Brendan Walsh, Barry Hazelwood, Aidan Hayes and Mark O Connell.
We will be meeting the winners of Midelton & Ballincollig who meet in the other semi final which is being played next Saturday  September 5th

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.

SENIOR HURLING.

I think the last time we played an adult hurling game in Glanworth was back in 1995. So it was a new experience for our players on Saturday last when we travelled to The Harbour to play Kilworth. Down the years we often played Kilworth at Junior level in practise matches and Tournaments but this was our first Championship meeting. Thanks to Liam Brennan and Seanie Pierce for all their help with the arrangements. The pitch and grounds were in absolutely pristine condition with a beautiful playing surface. Because of the restrictions in place we had just an allocation of forty tickets for the game and this included players and officials. Before the game began at 4 pm at a deserted Glanworth  I was talking with Kilworth Chairman Liam Kenny -we reckoned in normal times they'd be close on 500 people at the game. A minute after Cross haven's Brian Coniry threw in the sliotar Kilworth had a point on the scoreboard. Paddy O Flynn had the sides level when we lost Michael Collins to injury - he was replaced by Jason Mannix. With our midfielders well on top we hit a purple patch. Four points in a row from Cian O Connor, Brian Roche, Ryan Prendergast and William Finnegan saw us lead by 5 to 1 after 13 minutes. We also struck four wides in the opening quarter. For some unexplainable reason we faded out of the game in the second quarter. In a fourteen minute spell the men in the Red shirts hit seven points in a row -five from Noel McNamara frees, and led by 8 to 5 at the 30th minute. A Cian O Connor point stopped the rot and left it 0 8 to 0 6 at the break. In truth we could have been up eight or nine points in the first quarter before we gave the initiative to Kilworth. Our lads started the second half with great urgency. Our defence stood strong and three points on the trot from William Finnegan , Daniel Dooley and William again had us ahead by a single point after ten minutes. Kilworth levelled before William hit over a free to edge us ahead once more. The second half saw better hurling from both sides. After the scores were level again from a Jason Mannix point the pace was upped again.. Our full back line came under pressure but held firm. Out halfbacks also stymied several Kilworth attacks as the game was there for the taking. Two frees from William Finnegan frees and a great score from Eoin Roche edged us three ahead, 0 14 to 0 11. As the game ticked into added time we swapped points, 15 to 12. Kilworth added two more and by the 36th minute we were just a point ahead. William doubled our lead and we held on to win by 16 points to 14. AS it turned out Fr O Neills had a huge win over Ballymartle so as long as we weren't beaten by six points we were through but our players had no interest in getting through on scoring averages. A win is a win and well done to the nineteen players who took part in the game. It was tight, tense game which I suppose was to be expected with so much at stake. When the chips were down our lads responded to get the win which puts us through to the Quarter Final.

Team; C. Hogan, S.Pratt, B. Murphy, T. O Sullivan, S. O Connor, E. Roche 0 1, S. Walsh, D. Dooley captain 0 1, K. Kearney, W. Finnegan 0 8(6frees), R. Prendergast 0 1, P O  Flynn 0 1, M. Collins, C. O Connor 0 1, B. Roche 0  1. , J. Mannix 0 1, M. Quinn,  DJ Cahill, C. Barry.

Our opponents in the Quarter Final will be Newcestown who defeated Killeagh and Cloyne and lost to Kanturk. This game will be played the weekend after next.

When we last played a Hurling game in Glanworth it was on August 17th 1995. Glanworth beat us in a Junior B Grade practise game on a scoreline of  3 7 to 2 8. Our lineout was M. O Flynn, C. Howard, D. Ahern, M. Kearney, S. Hogan, A.O Flynn, M. Walsh, H. Kelleher, JA Murphy, P. Murphy, JJ. Barry, J. O Driscoll, J. Batty, D.Johnson, D. Mulcahy, R. Cahill, PO Dowd, J. O Callaghan, B. O Riordan. Later that year we defeated Carrigtwohill in the East Cork J B Grade Hurling Final in Watergrasshill by 1 7 to 0 7.

 UNDER 8's TRAINING.

Training for the lads under 8 years of age continues each week for both hurling and football. Each  Wednesday at 6:30 is for  football and Saturday at 10 o clock for  hurling.  

 WELL DONE BALLYDUFF. 

After three hectic weekends of Hurling Ballyduff Upper are Waterford Intermediate Hurling champions for 2020. They beat Shamrocks in the Western semi final after extra time. In the Western Final Ballyduff shot down Clashmore after a game, extra time and a penalty shoot out. Last Sunday they scored a magnificent 1 32 in beating their namesakes Ballyduff Lower in a thrilling County Final. Captained by the Casey cousins and trained by hurler, teacher, and writer Maurice Geary Ballyduff were relegated from Senior last year and are straight back up at the first time of asking. Last Sundays Final was a repeat of the 1964 Waterford Intermediate Final- the first Intermediate Championship in the Decies. Oran Leamy was at full back on Sunday last and fifty six years ago his grandfather Pad Quirke was on the team. Ballyduff have always been great allies and friends of Bride Rovers and we sincerely congratulate them on their victory. Our coach this season Pa Kearney is a proud Ballyduff man and his brother Mikey scored a massive 19 points in Sunday's Final. 

 UNDER 11's. 

The Rebel Og Fixtures plan for three hurling and three football games over 6 weeks for the under 11s has run into difficulties. We hope to play Watergrasshill this coming Sat Sept 5th in Glenville, time to be confirmed. 

REBEL OG UNDER 14 HURLING LEAGUE.

Bride Rovers Under 14's played their third hurling league game on Monday 31st at home at Pairc Na Bride to Ballycastle Gaels. Weather conditions were dry over head. The score at the end of the first half was Bride Rovers 2-4 to Ballycastle Gaels 1-1. The score didn't reflect the game. It was a tough match throughout, the final score was Bride Rovers 6-9 to Ballycastle Gaels 2-6.  The next U14 game takes place on 14th September away to Clyda Rovers, we would like to thank Ballycastle Gaels for a sporting game and we would also like to thank referee Dave Twomey. 

Under 14 Bride Rovers team :- Cameron Swalbe O Sullivan, Luke Harrington, Ben Knox, Gearóid Gubbins, Jack Keating, Oran Kielty, Cillian O Sullivan, Jack Hynes, Jack Collins, Cormac Barry, Gearóid O'Connell, Conor O'Riordan, Ronan Barry, Tomas O'Riordan, Thomas Hackett, Darragh Delaney, Adam Cronin, Adam Kelleher, Sean Dowling, Shane Prendergast and our goalkeeper Sean Madden.

UNDER !2's BUSY.

Bride Rovers Under 12s are very active at present. They had had another busy week and after playing Ballyduff the boys had a challenge match away to Ballycastle. The Ballyhooley/Castletownroche combination gave our lads a great game. The game proved competitive with both teams having their moments and at the final whistle the Rovers boys ultimately prevailed. Training went ahead on last Monday night which was a mixture of hurling and football. Training continues twice weekly and new players are more than welcome. With the schools now reopening there will be more of a routine for the lads but hurling and football sessions will continue..  

CLUB LOTTO. 

The numbers drawn on August 25th were 12,15, 17 and 31 ad there was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Chris Quinn, Claire Lynch, Donal Kelleher, Joe Finn and Carmel Egan Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.  Please support our weekly Lotto by buying a ticket from Club Members, in local business outlets or online at http;//briderovers.ie

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.

Nora Murphy RIP.

The death occurred recently of Nora Murphy of Hightown, Bartlemy. Nora nee Sexton was deep rooted in Co Limerick and Colmanswell was a place very dear to her heart. She was great follower if Gaelic games being related to the famed Limerick Hurlers Phil and Richie Bennis. The Murphy household was truly a Bride Rovers home. Nora's late husband Martin served as a Player, selector and officer with the Club. Both John and Jim have served the club in many capacities over the years. Nora was a wonderful character, great neighbour and friend, a powerful singer and an integral part of the Bartlemy Community. We extend our deepest sympathy to her sons John and Jim and her sisters and other relations. May she rest in peace.

FIXTURES. 

Sat Sept 5th Junior B Grade Hurling v Russell Rovers at 5pm 

Under 11 hurling v Watergrasshill -to be confirmed 

Under 16 football v Fermoy. 

FIRST WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER. 

Traditionally this would be a week full of excitement for hurling fans all over  the country as Al Ireland Hurling Final approached. In 1946, 1966, 1970, 2004 and 2005 those September Sundays were special dates for our Club as coveted All Ireland Senior Hurling medals came to the parish. Con Murphy, Seanie Barry and Brian Murphy were the players concerned. Great players and great days with great Cork teams. Hopefully we'll soon see these days again. 

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres 

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