Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh sí...

This is an old Irish saying or sean-fhocail, which literally means 'praise the young and they will flourish' . It's a gem of wisdom because it's so easy to criticise but it's much easier, more fun, more rewarding, more uplifting and more productive to praise not just the young but the middle aged and the older generation also. Youngsters are enthusiastic about life, about learning and about sport and great credit is due to all their teachers and coaches. Those who show the young lads how to hold the hurley and hit the sliotar for the first time are continuing a very proud tradition. On Saturday morning last we saw an example of the work and organisation being put in so many in our Club. The Bride Rovers under 8 boys took on Erin's Own on Saturday last under some glorious autumnal sunshine. A total of four games of hurling really showcased how the lads have come on this year, not just in skill but work rate and teamwork which was very much to the fore. We had an incredible 28 players togged out and playing  on the day which few bigger clubs can manage.  At this age group winning, losing and scores matter little, it's all about having fun and learning the basics of our National game. Great credit to  the boys all of whom played to their full potential to ensure a great day on the pitch for the under8s.   Players: Harry Fitzgerald, Luke Fitzgerald. Jack Fitzgerald, Oisín Dorgan, Conor Dorgan, Eoghan Croke, James O'Leary, Cameron Hoare, Jack Barry, Matthew Finn, Conor Healy, Alex McCarthy, Jack Gubbins, Shane Brophy, Patrick O'Regan, Daniel Maher, Patrick O'Connell,  Aidey Carr, Noah Collins, Ryan Hogan, Theo Byrd, Sean O'Dowd,  James McDonnell,  Ryan Field,  Adam Hackett,  Callum Guinan, Scott Lynch, Jack O'Donovan and Jamie Gould. We will have more hurling in the coming weeks v St. Finbarrs and Midleton. Training for Football is on Wednesday nights in Pynes from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

UNDER 7 HURLING. 

Our Under 7’s had their first match against outside opposition last Saturday when we hosted Watergrasshill. There were some fantastic skills on show with both sides winning matches and some ending in a draw.  The skill level of these boys is improving all the time as they master the art of hurling We are hosting Lisgoold on this Saturday coming  in the large astro at 10am. All players born in 2013 are welcome to come play with the U7’s.  So parents if your boy would like to start enjoying the fun of Gaelic games please just contact Dave Burke on 087-7999413. It is great to see so many young lads getting involved, the more the merrier.

Under 14's in League Final on Saturday.

A group of players who started playing hurling in 2014 at under 8 level have made steady progress over the years. This year they had  a shortened season because of the covid pandemic. They had just commenced playing games in early march when everything was cancelled. Then when the action recommenced in August it was decreed that at under 14 level it would be just League only. We had all Avondhu Division opposition in our Group- Ballygiblin, Killavullen, Ballycastle Gaels and Clyda Rovers. The lads had a great campaign with wins over Ballygiblin by 5 4 to  3 8, we beat Killavullen on a scoreline of  Bride Rovers 6-18 to Killavullen 2-7. On the last day of August Monday August 31st, we were at home  home to Ballycastle Gaels (Ballyhooley/ Castletownroche) and had a convincing win by 6-9 to  2-6. Monday September 14th we were away to  Clyda Rovers  and suffered our first defeat in the competition on a scoreline of  3 9 to 1 12.  These results meant the lads have qualified for the Rebel Og North Division 2 Hurling League Final.  Our opponents are unbeaten Millstreet. I think it may be the first time ever for the Clubs to meet in a hurling contest of any description. Our team Captain for the League Final on Saturday next is Cameron Swalbe O Sullivan. The team mentors who have worked tirelessly with this group of players are Paddy Hynes, William O Riordan, Michael, Keating, Wm. O Leary, Wm. Finnegan and Ryan Prendergast -isn't it great to see some of our Senior Hurlers involved with the under-age teams? The Final is fixed for Castletownroche at 2 o clock on Saturday next. Normally for a Final I'd be urging a huge crowd to go and support the boys but in these times this cannot be due to the Covid restrictions. Lads, ye ar up against it but do the very best ye can, hurly with courage and pride and the very best of luck. A special word of thanks to Martin Roche Groundworks for generously sponsoring jersies for this team. Martin is a great supporter of the Club in recent years.

COUNTY FINAL WEEKEND.

Despite the limited attendances allowed at all our games this coming weekend will be a huge one for GAA Followers in Cork with three County Hurling Finals. On Saturday evening our neighbours Castlelyons will take on Blarney in the Co Premier Intermediate Final and will start as hot favourites. They went unbeaten in the group stages and easily beat Courceys in the semi final. We wish Castlelyons the very best of luck. The same good wishes go to Fr O Neills who beat us, when they take on Charleville on Sunday at 12.30 in the Senior A County Hurling Championship Final. Then at 4 pm on Sunday it's Glen Rovers and the Rockies in the Senior County Final. Hard to imagine it's all of a dozen years now since we played in the County Senior Final when we lost to Sars by a point. The Glen won 2 Counties in this decade while Blackrock have been waiting years to try and being back the title to The Little Fishing Village.

Under 10 Football.

Our under10's were in action at the weekend. They played football at home against Erins Own on Saturday.  There were some great performance by all the players, well done lads. Our next game is hurling away to Castlelyons on this coming Saturday. 

Under 16 Hurling in 1888.

On the last Sunday of April 1888 an under 16 hurling challenge game took place at Ballyoneen between Bartlemy and the Lisgoold' Young Volunteers' The match was at 4 o clock and Bartlemy were captained by Martin Scanlan while D. Casey led Lisgoold. The game was reported on The Cork Examiner and the writer was full of praise for both teams. "Play remained for some time in neutral ground, but another brilliant rush from the 'Volunteers' brought it into their opponents territory where several goals were averted by the brave defence of the Bartlemy backs" From the report it seems that the Lisgoold' Young Volunteers' won by a point to no score!

Under 14 Hurling in 1965.

When the Club was reformed in 1964 it was decided to enter an under 14 team in what was then called the School Shields Competition. It was League Competition and Bride Rovers lost only one game and after an 'enquiry' this game was awarded to the Rovers and Bride Rovers were declared the competition winners. Unfortunately I have no results or team line-outs from 1965.

Best Wishes Lisgoold.

First time East Cork champions are in County Championship action on Saturday next. They make the short journey to Carrigtwohill to take on Muskerry Champions Inniscarra in the Quarter Final. Here's hoping they go on to the County Semi Final.

Three in a Row for Shamrocks.

Shamrocks Junior Footballers completed a three in a  row of West Waterford championships on Sunday last when they defeated Tallow in the Divisional Final. Shamrocks were trained Noel Crowley. Noel trained Fermoy to the County IHC and is a recent times has come to reside 'over the wall' from Pairc na Bride. Well done Noel and best wishes to Shamrocks in the County Final. Back in the late 1940's when a GAA Club was being formed in the parish of Knockanore, Kilwatermoy and Glendine the name agreed for the new Club was in fact Bride Rovers- the River Bride flows through the parish. The local Priest then suggested that as there were three distinct parts to the parish -like a Shamrock, that the name Shamrocks would be more suitable and his proposal was agreed to and thus Shamrocks GAA Club came into existence.

Under 21 County Championship.

News from the County Board is that the Premier 1 and 2 County under21 Hurling Championships are going to be run off but no dates have been fixed yet. Bride Rovers have a bye in the first round are to meet either Douglas or Na Piarsaigh in the Quarter Final.

Club Lotto.

The Jackpot for Tuesday September the 22nd was €20,000. The four numbers drawn were 1, 8, 21 and 26 and there was no jackpot winner. The winners of €30 each were David Barry, Alan Broderick, Mary Cotter c/o online Lotto, Jason Barry and Josie Dee. . 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.  

Our support for all our players on every team is important so 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.

The Grass Is Up!

Well the grass is up in our new Juvenile Pitch and it's looking splendid after a huge amount of work over the last six months.  Hopefully this magnificent playing surface will be ready for action in 2021.

Under 16's In League Final.

On Saturday week our Under 16 Footballers meet Clyda Rovers in the League Final in Killavullen at 12 noon..

Cappataggle Lose By  A Point.

A few weeks ago St Thomas the former Galway County Champions were beaten in the League section of the Galway Championship. Last Sunday the same two teams met again in the County Final. Cappataggle were striving to win the Title for the first time ever. They played a marvellous game but agonisingly lost by a single point. John Byrnes of Mondaniel who won a J B grade medal with us in 1975 was a native of Cappataggle and always spoke with pride of his native place. When John died it was his wish to be buried back in his own parish in Galway.

Covid still a Threat.

Please obey the health warnings that are in place to deal with the covid pandemic. The second wave is sweeping over the country. Hand washing, social distancing and testing if needed are all vital tools in the battle to conquer this disease. Stay safe.

Jimmy O Rourke RIP.

Jimmy O Rourke who died last week was a man we always looked at anxiously but seldom saw! For over 40 years Jimmy was in charge of the Scoreboard in Pairc Ui Chaoimh -at the Blackrock end of the ground. Until the digital scoreboard came in it was Jimmy who put up the points and the goals in his cabin high up over the Terrace. Jimmy was very religious man, a lifelong Pioneer and a great GAA man. We extend our sympathy to his sisters and other relatives.

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