Moppers Final..

After nearly a month of keen competition the Juvenile Club's Moppers Tournament came to a successful conclusion at the weekend. Sponsored by Denis Ahern Hurleys, the competition has been a brilliant way of keeping lads hurling during November. Many of our lads would normally be playing and training with their Schools teams in Fermoy at this time of year but that's all gone this year. The Moppers is a game that demands quick reflexes and great speed so it will stand greatly to all the lads next year. The winning team was Adam Walsh ,Ciaran Ryan,  Nicky Kelleher, Cillian Barry -Josh Ahern stood in for Nicky Kelleher on the day. The gallant runners up were Jacob Powell, Adam Hayes, Ryan O Callaghan  and Ronan O Riordan. Well done to all the players who took part and to those who organised the Tournament. A special word of thanks to Denis Ahern, Hurley manufacturer for sponsoring the prizes for the winners. 

EMOTIONAL WEEKEND FOR GAA.

It might be the end of November but last weekend was like no other on the GAA scene. On Saturday Galway and Waterford qualified to meet Limerick and Kilkenny in the All Ireland Semi Finals next weekend. Strange times with no crowds but we had marvellous games with plenty goals and superb hurling for the time of the year. Then on Saturday evening in homes all over the country a candle was lit in the window in memory of the events of November 21st 1920- a century before, when 14 people were killed in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday. The Remembrance ceremony from Croke Park was excellent- it was poignant, even chilling to see those torches being lit up in front of the names of the fallen. Brendan Gleeson was just perfect in the role of narrator as he gave a little history of each victim. Bernard Brogan (Dublin) and Declan Browne (Tipperary) were the flag-bearers in memory of the Dublin and Tipperary teams who played on that fateful day. Wreaths were laid on the spot where Michael Hogan of Grangemockler died n the Croke Park pitch. Great credit is due to the GAA for a very fitting tribute to the dead of Bloody Sunday. So many other events had been planned for Dublin and Tipperary but went by the board because of covid.

MUNSTER FOOTBALL FINAL.

All we can say is fair play to the Tipperary footballers on their great win. Wearing the white and green jersies of the Grangemockler Club -replicas of those worn in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday 1920, the Premier County men deserved their win. Having beaten Kerry Cork were hot favourites but never came to grips with the Tipperary side winning their first Munster Senior Football Title since 1935 -all of 85 years ago. It was such an emotional occasion but in fairness to the Tipperary lads they concentrated on the game and let others think of history. Well done to Tipperary. Damien Healy's home Club, Killenaule, provided three players on the history-making Tipperary team the Feehan brothers Jimmy and   Paudie and Greg Henry. A dual Club Killenaule won the Co Junior FC title in Tipperary in 1994 and a decade later won the IFC title. They've won two South Tipperary SFC titles in 2012 and 2014.

1935 MUNSTER FINAL.

In 1935 Kerry did not compete in the Munster Championship due to legacy issues from 1934. Cor defeated Limerick in Charleville in the semi final The Munster Senior Football Final was played in Fermoy on Sunday July 21st. Cork were well beaten by Tipperary by 2 8 to 1 2. It was a mainly West Cork team with a Russell Rovers man Michael Hennessy in goal for the Rebels. San O Sullivan of the Fermoy Club was a sub on the team. In the All Ireland semi final Cavan beat Tipperary by 1 7 to 0 8. Cavan went on to defeat Kildare in the Final.

LOTTO RESULTS FOR LAST WEEK

The Jackpot for last Tuesday week, November the 17th, was €20,000 and the four numbers drawn on the night were 16, 26, and 27 and 32  There was no Jackpot winner. The prizes of €30 went to Denis Ahern, Jemma Johnson, mark Troy Monananig, William Connolly Castlelyons and 'All Saints& Rovers' c/o Carmel Finnegan. Thanks to each and everyone who has supported the Weekly Draw over the years. Please keep supporting the 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. 

UNDER 21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. 1981 

We were drawn against Lisgoold in the first rounds of both the under21 hurling and football championships in 1981. The football game with john G. Barry on the whistle was played in Castlelyons on April 30th. It was close game but Lisgoold could only muster 14 players in the first half. At the break they introduced  Anna Hegarty- a talented footballer. The match ended in a draw; Rovers 1 8, Lisgoold 2 5. In his Referees Report to the East Cork Board John G. stated the facts. Board Chairman John Hennessy stated that as far as he could see there was no actual GAA  rule which specifically stated that a girl couldn't play provided she was a registered playing member. If not, he said, 'there could be serious consequences'. Bride Rovers didn't further question Anna's credentials and a replay was fixed for which Lisgoold had 15 male players which we lost by 8 points to 3. We won the Hurling game by 5 13 to 1 7. 

1992. Though 1992 marked a low point for us when our Junior Hurling team were defeated in the East Cork Championship by Fr O Neills second team we still ended  the season with some good victories. The Minor Hurlers Captained by Terry Broderick won the East Cork and county Minor Hurling Leagues. The Junior B Football team had some great wins early in the season  and were out in the County in the County B grade FC. We beat Whitechurch before playing a drawn game with Kilbrittain in Ballygarvan. At the same venue in the replay there was major controversy. Deep in the second half we were two points down and the referee awarded us a penalty. He was immediately surrounded by Kilbrittain players who managed to change his mind and our penalty was downgraded to a 14 yard free. We lost by 1 7 to 06 and Kilbrittain went on to win the Count. In December we were fixed to play Fr O Neills in Lisgoold in the Football League Final. On an awful morning of wind and rain Lisgoold couldn't take the game. A 'virtual' toss for venue was done over the phone -no Zoom calls back then! And we lost the toss. We travelled to Aghavine and the game was played in a gale of wind. In a very low scoring game we won by 1`3 to 0 2, our goal  coming from Hugh Kelleher. Anthony Cahill Captained the team which lined out as follows P. Mannix, JJ Barry M Hogan, L Barry B Hogan, A Cahill Captain, D Mulcahy J Murphy T Mulcahy H .Kelleher B O Connell T Broderick D Johnson, A O Flynn J O Dowd subs; C Howard, M O Flynn, J Barry, O O Connor, N. Twomey, M Kearney, T. Kearney B O Riordan

UNDER AGE TRAINING.

Our under age teams are training away and the trainers will text any changes in dates, times or venues. Some of the groups are winding up now as Christmas approaches. The availability of the two Astro Turf areas has been a real bonus this year with over 300 training sessions having been held there since September. Well done to all  concerned. At present the schedule is as follows.

The Under 7's finished up last  Saturday at 10am in Small Astro after a mighty year.

Under 10's Hurling on Saturdays at 10 in the Pitch -on this coming Saturday and finishing up on Saturday December 5th

Under 12's  on Monday and Thursday on small Astro 

Under 15's Thursdays at half 7 in Astro.

Minors on Wednesday nights 7.30pm in the Big Astro

All these training sessions are in accordance with GAA and HSE regulations.

Bride Rovers Club Gear. 

Well it's getting close to the time for thinking of Christmas gifts.  For those who love to wear the Green, White and Gold of the Bride Rovers Club a present of an item of Club gear would be most welcome.. We have arranged 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  www.oneills.com  and then search in the list of club names for 'Bride Rovers' and you'll see the full range. 

Conventions, AGM and Meetings. 

Normally as we approach the month of December thoughts would be turning towards a list of end-of-year gatherings at Club, East Cork and County level. It will be strange this year. The normal cut and thrust of debate and proposing and seconding will be replaced with terms like Zoom, Incorporeal  and Virtual. Changing times indeed. We will have dates for Club, Divisional and County Meetings next week. 

Mickey Harte Joins The Wee County.  

Just two weeks after quitting the Tyrone manager's job, which he had for 18 years Mickey Harte has taken over as Louth Senior Football boss. Louth have a great footballing tradition but with league of Ireland Clubs in Drogheda and Dundalk Gaelic football hasn't got a high profile in the County at present. A few years back with Peter Fitzpatrick in charge they reached the Leinster Final but lost controversially in the infamous 'ball thrown into the net' game. Under Captain Dermot O Brien they beat Cork in the 1957 final, the last time they won the Sam Maguire. Mickey Harte has an insatiable appetite for football and will give the Louth team a great fillip. Once ever I met Mickey Harte. Back in 2007 Cork were playing Louth in a qualifier in Portlaoise and I think Tyrone were also playing there that day. We got talking. Brian McGuigan had received a very serious eye injury in a League game that Spring. It seemed as if he might not have full sight in the eye again and that his football career was finished.  I told Mickey I had great faith for eyesight cures in the water from St Bartholomew's Well here in Bartlemy. He asked me to post a bottle of water from the Well, which I did. In February 2008 I got a call from Mickey Harte seeking more of the water. Brian McGuigan made a full recovery and went on to play with Tyrone at the highest level. A man of great faith we wish Mickey all the best with the Louth football team. 

Want To Join the Bride Rovers GAA  Club? 

Are you a hurler, footballer, camogie or ladies football player, builder, painter, flag-maker, gardener, ticket seller, IT specialist, singer, poet, dancer, Quiz fanatic, carpenter, bookbinder, plasterer, floor sweeper, writer, lawn-cutter or just a willing and enthusiastic community worker? Well if the answer is yes then The Bride Rovers GAA Club Needs You.. We are always anxious to get new members to help out with the running of the Club. Maybe you could give an hour a week to help with some aspect of the Club's varied and enjoyable activities. Many hands make light work so if you want to help out with any aspect of our Club you will be very welcome indeed. If you are interested please contact our Club Runai Daniel Lane at 087 2070100 

SYMPATHY.  

The Bride Rovers Club extends  sympathy to Theresa O Keeffe of Mondaniel on the  death of her brother Joe Broderick of Ballyarra, Castlelyons .We also extend sympathy to th wife and family of Batt O Neill of Kearney's Cross- uncle of Betty Cahill and Donal Buckley. May they rest in peace. 

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