The Rebels Are Back. 

 It's a long, long time since we saw Cork Hurling and Football teams in action so last weekend was like a new dawn. Up 'til the last minute doubts remained as to whether the National Football league would resume but it did.  Then the Munster Minor and under 20 Hurling championships commenced - all behind closed doors but at least the games went ahead. It was fruitful few days for the Rebels with the Senior footballers having a good home win over the Wee County on Saturday, thus ensuring a speedy return to Division 2 of the League next season. The minor hurlers had a great game against Clare in Semple Stadium winning by 1 24 to 2 13. Our own Adam Walsh has been with the Minors on the extended panel and we wish Adam all the best for the future. Cork will now face Limerick in the Munster semi final on Friday week, October 30th. On Monday evening at Austin Stack Park in Tralee the Cork under 29 hurlers faced Kerry in the championship. Cork would have been expecting an easy win but were pushed all the way by the Kingdom camán wilders. In the end Cork won by 2 14 to 2 10. It was proud night for Bride Rovers with the Roche twins Eoin and Brian lining out in the famous Blood and Bandage jersies. Eoin had a good game in the Cork defence while Brian hit an impressive 1 3 for the Rebels. Cork will face Limerick in the Provincial semi final.  It was nervy weekend for the country and for the GAA but all went well. The changes in Covid regulations which came into place at midnight last night- Wednesday, ensure that Gaelic games will go ahead at inter-county level so here's hoping all goes well and that the MInors, U-20's and Seniors all get to complete their competitions.. 

Work Continues. 

The transformation in Pairc na Bride continues apace with 'Scannell's Field' greening up nicely. Last week lovely new signage was put in place on the Portakabin welcoming all to the Bride Rovers Club. Last Saturday the trees at the back of the bank were cut back. At the Club AGM in January 1983 a number of sub-committees were put in place to progress work on our new grounds.  Those tasked with the planting of the trees on the bank were Declan Kearney, Joe Barry and Richard Cotter. Other tasks allocated were; Building entrance walls & gates and getting a water supply -Pat Hoskins, Pat O Connor, Tom Kearney, Fr. Con O Donovan. Enclosing of playing pitch, erection of boundary wire &wicket gates -Liam Collins, Mick Barry, Henry Hazlewood, Tony Walsh. 

Building of Dressingrooms- Tom Barry, Martin Murphy, Willie Cotter, Gerard Lane. Marking of Pitch & erecting goalposts -John Arnold, Liam Cahill, Paudie Murphy, Brendan O Driscoll, Mossy Dooley Laying out Juvenile pitch- Tom Mulcahy, Denis Ahern, John Murphy, Maurice Kearney, Batty Joyce. Tom Barry NT, 'the Master' oversaw the work of all these groups and their work during the year. The first ever game was played on the new pitch when Aghada came to play a JHL game. Denis Mulcahy registered the first ever score on the pitch, a point after six minutes. Aghada won the game by a point, 2 12 to 2 11. 

New Cork GAA Members Draw

In line with the suspension of all GAA games, the launch of the 2020/2021 Cork GAA Rebels' Bounty scheduled for last Sunday  was postponed. 'Rebels Bounty' is the new name for the Cork GAA Annual Members Monthly Draw and was to have had a gala re-launch recently. 

Rebels' Bounty will instead be launched in late 20120 / early 2021 and a meeting of Cork County Board, which will be devoted solely to this item, will be held when circumstances allow. The Draw is till a monthly draw costing €10 a month to enter or a once-off payment of €100. This year there will be 30 prizes each month. The minimum First Prize each month will be €20,000 with prizes of €25,000 in December and April and in August 2021 the first prize is €100,000. Bride Rovers Club is encouraging members, players and supporters to join the Draw. Tickets can be had from Club Officers or contact our Runai Daniel Lane at 087 2070100. 

Juvenile Activity at an all time high. 

Is someone told me twenty or thirty years ago that Bride Rovers would  under5, under, 6, under7, under8, under9, under 10 and under 11 panels of players training it would have seemed impossible. I can recall having to get an under 12 player tog out with the Minors just to field a team. Under i4 layers had regularly to play under 214, under 16 and minor as playing numbers were scarce. All's changed now, brilliantly changed with huge numbers involved. Last Saturday morning for example between the Main Pitch, Pyne's and the two Astro Turf areas a total of 11 teams trained! It was an absolutely fantastic sight to see literally hundreds of young boys and girls too learn the skills of Gaelic games and most of all having fun. It is great to see so many new people who have come to live in our parish really involved with Bride Rovers. These are difficult times in our country but sport is a great antidote to all the doom and gloom. I was very impressed with the manner in which all involved observed the rules and regulations in regards to hand sanitization etc. Of course having huge numbers is no automatic guarantee of success but without skilled players you have nothing. It is just stunning to see lads now playing at under 10 and under 11 and how their skill levels have improved immensely in a few years. When I first tried to play with Bride Rovers, around 1970, under 14 was the first grade available. Now I've no doubt if I'd started at under 7 or under 8 I'd still not be a great player but getting lads to master the skills at a very young age is vital. I also love the idea of 'Fun games' blitzes and mini-games. Well done to all our coaches, trainers, officers, players and parents. 

 Under 8. 

The under 8 boys finished their season last Saturday with an hour of social distancing games including hurley relays and foot golf. With COVID-19 numbers increasing, the decision was taken to finish the season slightly earlier than planned. With 32 registered players, the under8s are one of the largest attended age groups in the club, with every training session since the restart seeing 25 players or more. Matches versus Ballygiblin, Fermoy, Watergrasshill and Erin's Own were squeezed into the short season and played a vital role in the development of the boys. New skills were learned and the more physical side of the game was practiced.  Shouldering, tackling and contesting possession was a big focus and "Air Hurling" was all the rage! Thanks to each and every player -keep practising the skills at home. To the players parents we say a special 'thank you' for your cooperation and understanding in these difficult times.

Under 10.

The under10 boys have been training Wednesdays and Saturdays since restrictions were lifted and hope to continue until December.  We have a panel of about 20 boys. Games were played against Watergrasshill, Erin's Own and Castlelyons. With a 'blank' summer it was a strange year but the lads responded well when we were able to get back training. It's great to see the fun and craic the lads have. They come from Bartlemy, Rathcormac and Kildinan. Some are from families living in the parish with generations whilst many are new to this area. It's great to see the common bond of Bride Rovers uniting them all together.

Under 11. 

Our last game of the season which seemed so long ago now was an entertaining game of football in Caherlag. For our fist time ever we played a full 15 a side game in an u12 size pitch. This really gave our lads an insight into what awaits them next year with pitch dimensions and team positioning becoming a new factor in our team. In what was a great game of football we drew 1-3 each.. Since that game everything has changed so dramatically for everyone. We had some challenge games lined up against clubs like Nemo Rangers and Carrigaline but none came to pass once Level 3 came in. Since then we’ve engaged in some fun, active training sessions for the lads. While observing all parameters as set out by the GAA we have endeavoured to ensure that the lads are having as much fun as they can in a safe environment. While we all aspire to teach these lads the skills of the game and to develop as a team we’ve all realized that making the sessions as enjoyable as possible is perhaps the best that we can hope for. Many thanks to the parents for keeping their faith in us!! The nights have turned against us and with the academy having the astro on Wednesday nights we’ve reduced our sessions to Saturdays. Last Saturday was our first ever Saturday afternoon, training at 2:30pm but it’s been well acknowledged that we’ve nothing else to be doing! Last Saturday was also our first session back for our recently injured player Oliver Harris so welcome back Oliver. We had 21 players training which has been our average over the last month. As stated we’re training on Saturdays….however long more that lasts we don’t know!  

Weekly Lotto

The Jackpot for last Tuesday week, October the 13th, was €20,000 and the four numbers drawn on the night were 1, 4, 17 and 30.  There was no Jackpot winner. The prizes of €30 went to Niamh & Jack Johnson, Oonagh Hartnett Ken O Riordan , Bridie Milward   Joe Delaney

 Please support our weekly Lotto by buying a ticket from Club Members, in local business outlets or online at http;//briderovers.ie . For the foreseeable future the weekly Lotto Draw will be held each Tuesday night at Arus de Barra in Pairc na Bríde

Down Memory Lane -1946.

The first ever Senior All Ireland Hurling medal came to the Club when Con Murphy, Main St was on the Cork team that beat  Kilkenny by 7 5 to 3 8 in the Final. Con scored 2 goals in the second half. Con also served Bride Rovers Runai that year. Bride Rovers beat Midleton's second string in the first round of the East cork JAHC on July 21st. The next round was v Dungourney in Conna on August 4th with referee Mickey Byrne who had won East Cork and County Minor medals with the Rovers in 1932.  Dungourney won but an objection was lodged with the East Cork Board. Bride Rovers objected that the ref had made several 'mistakes' contrary to Rules 9, 86 and 89 of the Official Guide. In the second half it appears the ref thought the sliotar was gone wide, he blew the whistle but the sliothar was still in play and Dungourney scored a goal. He dis-allowed the score and awarded a 'hop ball' about ten yards from the Bride Rovers goal. From this play Dungourney scored a goal. David John Barry on behalf of Bride Rovers said one umpire waved the ball as a wide but a Dungourney player brought it back into play and then scored a goal which was allowed! After long deliberations the Board awarded the game to Dungourney. The Rovers appealed to the County Board and on August 27th the Co. Board ordered a replay. This was fixed for Carrigtwohill on Sunday September 22nd, later moved a week to September 29th.  At an East Cork meeting on September 18th Dungourney had a letter in stating that due 'to harvest work' Dungourney would not have a team on September 29th. The Rovers agreed to a postponement until October13th. The date for the game was then refixed for October 27th and was eventually played in Carrig on November the 3rd. The Rovers won the game and were through to the East Cork semi final ..but Dungourney objected! They quoted several Rules, which they said were broken. One of their objection points was that several of the Bride Rovers players were wearing 'improper attire', in other words long pants rolled up above the knee! Thee objection was thrown out and the Rovers met O Briens (now Fr.O Neills) in the semi-final, the game was a draw. In the replay on December 3rd O Briens won by 3 3 to 2 1, thus ending a long drawn out Junior Hurling year.

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