Club Notes - 2021-03-03 10:00:00
Maybe more Penalty Pucks in Hurling - but No Games Yet...
This time last year we were after starting our 2020 playing season and things were looking good until this corona/covid virus came along. Since then everything has really been tri na chéile with lockdown followed by opening up and then further lock downs. The only consolation I suppose about this weekend is that even if it was 'all systems go' not a game could be played after the deluges of rain we've had. That's little consolation for players, young and old, who are 'champing at the bit' to get back training and playing. There is a general improvement across the country with covid numbers coming down and the vaccine roll out underway. Having said all that we are still on Level 5 Restrictions and we 'would need to be down to Level 3 at least before Club games can commence. The GAA at National level brought out Plan earlier with All Ireland Finals pencilled in , crazily in my mind, for July. Well that Plan has now fallen by the wayside and we await a new Plan. I hope Club games wont be simply shoved back and back into the autumn to make away for the Inter County Championships. I think, that as we approach the first day of March and the likelihood of no games for at least another 6 weeks, the National Leagues should just be shelved for this season
GAA CONGRESS
Having been lucky to have attended a few GAA Congresses over the years I can say with certainty that GAA people from the 4 Provinces will really miss the annual event. This year, like everything else, it's virtual. John Horan's Term as Uachtarán comes to an end, and Corkman exiled in USA, Larry McCarthy takes the helm. Looking at the different Motions on the Clar I noticed one that would have had a bearing on two of our players if it was introduced a few years back
A Motion proposes to Amend Rule 4.15 (a) as follows:
(a) It shall be the privilege of the captain (joint captains are not permitted) of a winning team to accept the trophy on behalf of the team. Had it been in force Brian and Eoin Roche would not have been allowed to be joint captains of the Cork under 17 All Ireland winning team. I can see no logic in the Motion to be honest
The practise of backs preventing goals being scored 'at any cost' has led to the proposing of the following Motion; If any of the following infractions (fouls)are committed, on an attacking player with a goal scoring opportunity, either inside the 20-meter line or the semi-circular arc (a) To pull down an opponent (5.1) or (b) To trip an opponent with hands, arm, leg, foot, or hurley (5.2) or (c) To use the hurley in a careless manner (5.6) the following penalties shall apply -
(i) A Penalty Puck shall be awarded to the team affected. If it leads to the abolition of cynical fouling this could be a very positive move.
CLUB LOTTO.
The Jackpot on last Tuesday night February 16th was €20,000, the numbers drawn were 2, 10, 12 and 26 and there was no winner. The winners of €30 each were Barry Hazlewood, , Dave Guthrie c/o Online, Elaine O Riordan, James Finn, Robert Ryall. The Jackpot for last Tuesday night February 23rd was €20,000. You can join the Bride Rovers weekly lotto online at http://briderovers.ie/ or purchase tickets from any of the retail outlets locally that are open. Tickets can also be got locally from Bride Rovers GAA Club Members throughout the parish. Your support of the weekly Lotto Draw is deeply appreciated. If you're not in you can't win and each €2 is a help for our Club.
2021 CORK GAA MEMBERS DRAW COMING SOON.
Rebels Bounty' is the new name for the Cork GAA Annual Members Monthly Draw. The Tickets are just €10 a month or a single 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. The January, February and March draws are down for March 25th. 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. A Brochure outlining all the details of the Draw can be had from any Club Officer.
GREAT COMEBACKS.
Winning any great is great but there is something extra special when a victory that seemed unlikely is achieved. If a team is down four or six or ten points and then go on to win it's a cause of great jubilation. In Bride Rovers we've been lucky to see some mighty comebacks. We were 3 7 to 0 4 behind in the 1968 East Cork Final v Sars, down by 1 9 to 0 4 v Ballinascarthy in the Co JHC semi final in 1998, down by 4 points with minutes to go in the JBFC Final v Ballinacurra in 2019 -and we won all these games. Next week we will have look down Memory Lane at some of these unforgettable games. Any reader with a particular favourite 'great Rovers comeback' just let me know at 087 9538077.
CLUB 100
Our Club 100 Fundraising Scheme is now in it's 3rd year. It provides an income stream to guarantee us finances to carry out further Development work as we head towards our Centenary in 2028. There are three options for joining the Club 100,Gold, Silver and Bronze. Joining Club 100 combines paying Club Membership, supporting the weekly Club Lotto and joining the Cork GAA Monthly Draw. Payment is on a Monthly basis. Full details from any Club Officer.
BRIDE ROVERS PROFILES.
Player Name; Pat Walsh, B.Sc, MIIE, LBB, LSSGB,
Occupation; Operations/Quality Engineering, Matrox Europe Limited
Was the hand injury you got v Killeagh the worst injury in your career?
Yes it was, 3 fingers and a knuckle, but that’s the nature of physical sport
Can you remember your first ever game with Bride Rovers?
Yes against Castlelyons in the old field, I togged out with my brother Michael in the old bus. Half-way down the bus there was a hole, you had to jump over to get a seat. It was under 12 , he was 11 and I was 9. Came on made no impression
Was winning the East Cork and County MHL in 1992 the real 'foundation' of the Golden Era for the Club?
I'm not sure, on that starting team only 5 went on to play in the 1998 county , I think the 1995 second team winning the Junior B East Cork, (captained by Denis Mulcahy) changed the mindset.
What age were you when you first played at Junior level?
18 ,I was introduced to Liam Cahill in training , he thought me a lot “match the physically or go home with your tail between you legs".
Your parents Olly and Teresa took you everywhere to games, was there much of a GAA tradition in their families?
My parents are great all round sports people, Mam and dad were hot-rod drivers, pool players, tug-off war, horse and hunt people, dabbled a bit in GAA. My fathers uncles would have been involved in the Fermoy side of the 1940’s . I think they won a few senior football titles. On my mam's side her Uncle Frank Corcoran played for Waterford , his claim in that he put Seanie Barry in his pocket. But they didn’t have pockets in their shorts in those days!. *
Where did you learn or pick up that 'never say die' attitude you had to playing?
I don’t know about “never say die” but you have to have pride in what you do. I used to do athletics and Bob Burke in Fermoy and Dick O Brien in Castlelyons coached me to understand tactics. There is a time you have to dictate the pace, there is a time you have to sit in and watch what is happening around you. If the pace changes you have to react you have to stay in the battle. They were terrific coaches, everyone should do athletics.
If you could make one change to the rules of hurling what would it be?
Stop giving Cork players a free when they roar, no I think the game is perfect . It’s a tough sport, leave it alone
Did you love, tolerate or hate training?
Absolutely loved it, I looked on it as an opportunity to improve, be with friends, give it you all and enjoy it after. What you put in you get out.
In your time playing what do you think was the very best performance by a Rovers team?
We played a good county final in 2008, but the reality is we left it behind
I think the performance against Newtown in 2004 when they had a team of all stars was excellent . We lost by 2 points they went on to win the All-Ireland. From a coaching point of view the 2-25 to 0-17 against Piarsaigh on Midleton . We scored 2-17 from play that day, the boys were immense
.Can you define the 'spirit of Bride Rovers'?
Bride Rovers Spirit is having pride in your area , your team mates, having the character to go out and give it your absolute best, to train cohesively all in the pursuit of a common goal. Tony Walsh would have instilled that belief in me, he was all about parish and the club.
There are huge numbers playing at underage level for the Rovers, what do you think are the most important aspects of hurling that should be taught to all players? First thing is to enjoy it, enjoyment comes from putting in a massive effort , your skills improve, your fitness improves, your mind improves. I still miss the craic with the lads down the field.
Captaining the Rovers to the All Ireland 7 a side win -what are your memories of that day in Dublin?
Being wrecked , the performance of Barry Murphy for the whole tournament , Terry Broderick missing half his nose, because he believed 7’s was a loose game. Dinny Lad singing in the bar afterwards
Do you think that at Inter County level the joy, the fun, the craic is gone from the game- is it too serious nowadays?
Counties need to look at themselves, development squads, not allowing players to play with clubs, the €1.5 million team preparations cost, holding back the club scene and finally building “the big white elephant” that is Pairc Ui Chaoimh .Now they are levying 10 grand per club to pay it back. The Pandemic has shown what GAA clubs do for their parish, it should be about the 99% not the 1%. Leadership is extremely poor at County level. We should be looking at what happened to rugby in 1995, the club scene has been destroyed, low attendances at club level, money going to the top,
Good club players not getting an opportunity at provincial level or international level
Do you prefer a light or heavy hurley? Heavy
Something that few people know about Pat Walsh?
Munster under 11 2000 metre champion 1984
Who was the hardest opponent you played against whilst playing with Bride Rovers?
The Hardest I played with Donal Ryan, Barry Murphy, the hardest opponent was Niall McCarthy
Rovers were 1 9 to 0 4 down after 38 minutes in the Co JHC s/f against Ballinascarthy in 1998 , how did we win that game?
I'll never forget it, Anthony Cahill pulled me to the side at half time and said "you are playing like a fellow content with your East Cork medal" . And do you know something he was right, not that I made that much of an impression. But the second half as team we gave it our all, Ryano, Jerome and Batt McHugh had good games. But as a team we really just went for it. An interesting fact - the ref thought is was a draw !
If you could invite any three people (outside of family) to Dinner who would your guests be?
Terry (Broderick) , Ryano (Donal), Fitzy (Alan).
Are you in favour of a 'Split Season' with Inter County and Club running at different times?
Spit the season, at least club players can plan the year
What makes hurling such a special game?
Speed and skill. You can watch and enjoy a bad game of hurling you cant do that in rugby or soccer
What was the funniest thing that ever happened you while playing?
A Sliotar wedged in Alan Brodericks face guard, he kept running the ref gave a free in for over carrying , Butch said "you have to have it in your hand to over carry"
What does the Bride Rovers Club mean to you?
The club is very important aspect in my life. The club is about nurturing the community, it kept me active, provided a platform where I could meet people, I have made some great lifelong friends, kept me focused and supplied some of the best days in my life. I was recently talking to someone and they said “Welchie there is more to life than hurling and football “, they are right but there is more to a club that just hurling and football
Advice for young players?
Enjoy the challenge and get ready to meet the challenge
Munster Intermediate Championship Hurling Final August 1st 1965 in Walsh Park, Cork 1 15 Waterford 3 2, Seanie Barry at wing forward scored 0 2, marked by Frankie Corcoran, Shamrocks.
Would You Like To Join the Bride Rovers GAA Club in 2021.?
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 Club extends sincere sympathy to Pat Whelan and all the Whelan family on the death recently of Pat's father Bill Whelan of Clontinty, Glanworth.. The Whelan family are steeped in the GAA and Pat, through his business Rathcormac Tyres, has been a long time benefactor of the Bride Rovers Club. May Bill rest in peace.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres , Fermoy Print & Design,
