Bride Rovers

Minors in Premier 1 County Final..

On what was a hectic weekend of action the highlight was surely the performance of our Minor Hurlers in winning the Premier 1 County Semi Final. The Final goes ahead on Monday night next October the 11^th. The B grade hurling team won their third Round Robin Group game and on the juvenile scene the under 12 footballers captured their league title and the under 14 hurlers captured the Theresa Walsh Memorial Cup.

Results;

Fri night Sept in Riverstown JBHC Bride Rovers4 13 Sarsfields 2 13

Sat at Pairc na Bride Theresa Walsh Cup semi final Bride Rovers 1 5 Glen Rovers 0 7. Final Bride Rovers 2 7 Castlelyons 0 5.

Premier 1 county Minor Hurling semi final Bride Rovers 3 19 Ballincollig 1 16

At Carrigtwohill under 12 Rebel Og FL semi final Bride Rovers 1 9 Carrigtwohill 0 8

EAST CORK JUNIOR B GRADE HC.

Under lights at Sarsfields HQ in Riverstown on Friday night we took on Sars in our 3^rd Round Robin Game. It was fairly low-key affair. Both teams knew their faith before the game and it was more like a challenge game -we were through to the Q final whereas Sars had already lost their two game- remember this was Sars fourth adult team.. We started very brightly and lead by 2-4 to 3pts by the 1st water break- our goals coming from Shane O Flynn and Jesse O Keefe with white flags from Damian, John O Sullivan, John Buckley and Shaunie Knox. Damien finished off an excellent worked goal immediately after the water break to make it 3-4 to 3pts and looked like we were going to take control.

Sars fought back well though and brought the gap back to 6 by half time 3-5 to 1-8. We started the 2nd half well again and extended out lead to 4-13 to 1-10 (the 4^th Green flag from Jesse) before Sars finished the game with the 3 good points and a goal at the end to leave the final score 4-13 to 2-13. Ben Hogan and defenders were severely tested but all played very well. Panel and scorers were; B Hogan, S Ahern, A Buckley, J Conor, J O'Sullivan (0-1), L Forde (0-1), O Roche, D Buckley (1-3 (1f)), J Powell, John Buckley (0-1), T Macak (0-1), S Knox (0-4 (3f)), Jamie Buckley, S O'Flynn (1-0), J O'Keeffe (2-2 (1f)) Subs B Murphy, C Howard, M Dooley, S Hackett. Our Quarter Final v Killeagh is on under lights in Rostellan on this coming Friday night Oct 8^th at 8pm

UNDER 13 ‘s BUSY IN BOTH CODES.

The U13s had a busy week with a Friday night hurling game against Mallow at home which was a highly competitive match resulting in a tight victory for the visitors. This was followed on Sunday by a football shield semi-final against St Dominics which took place in Pynes. This match proved to be highly entertaining in many ways. Bride Rovers started playing into the wind which allowed St Dominics to get into an early lead. Some tigerish tackling by the home side allowed them to put the pressure on St Dominics as the Rovers gradually eased into the game. An early goal helped the lads on their way and at half time it was believed that the home side had a 2-3 to 1-4 lead after a fine save by Cathal Barry had pushed a shot over the bar. It transpired that the referee had counted it as a goal which left it at 2-3 to 2-3 a piece. Now with the breeze Bride Rovers put in a strong and spirited display and a penalty conversion allowed them to take the lead with everyone contributing to the best football display of the year. The determination and heart displayed by the U13s was out of the top drawer who were ably assisted by the addition of Cathal Barry, Finn O'Driscoll and Michéal Walsh from the U12s. The final score was Bride Rovers 3-8 St Dominics 2-5. The win sets the team up nicely with a hurling league final next weekend V Ballyhea, followed the following week by a Shield final. Panel: Cathal Barry, Eoghan Buckley, Jack Lynch, Michael Gubbins, Éanna Lyons, James Finn, David Dixon , Jamie Walsh, Garry Quirke, Shane O'Dowd, Matthew O'Sullivan, Con McCormack, Darragh O'Farrell, Matthew Kenny, Denis Fitzgerald, Adam Kelleher, James Larkin, Owen Ryan, Michale Cosgrove, Finn O'Driscoll and Michéal Walsh.

ON HOLIDAYS FROM CANADA.

An interested and delighted spectator at the games in Pairc na Bride was Noel Hegarty. Noel is living in Canada with many years now working in the Aviation industry. He was thrilled to see all the great hurling action in the field on Saturday. In conversation with Noel he recalled his days hurling with the Club. Noel was a solid midfield player on the Minor Hurling team that won the East Cork and County League back in 1992. We beat Castlelyons in the East Cork League Final in Glenville by2 8 to 0 6. The following week in Carrignavar on an artic day we met the County Championship winners Ballinora and beat them in a thriller by 1 9 to 0 10.. On the toss of a coin we got home advantage for the semi final against South East aside Shamrocks -a game we won by 6 11 to 0 3. Five days before Christmas we played Killavullen in the County League Final in Ballygiblin. It was frost covered pitch but the game went on and we had a great win by 2 14 to 1 3. It was a great win and the first of many. Noel travels back to Canada this weekend and we wish him ‘bon voyage’.

THERESA WALSH MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT. Last Saturday was one of the busiest days ever at Pairc na Bride since the Official Opening back in 1985. The gates were opened before 9 and from that until nearly 7pm it was action all the way. As well as several Juvenile groups involved in Academy training we also had as visitors the under 14 hurlers of Glen Rovers, Blarney and Castlelyons as well as our own XV. These 4 teams contested the Theresa Walsh memorial Tournament. Theresa was a mighty presence in our Club for many years and the Walsh family are stalwarts of Bride Rovers sadly Theresa died in 2016 and her family put up a Cup in her memory. The first game was between Bride Rovers and the Glen, it was a very tight match which resulted in a low scoring game. Final result was Bride Rovers 1-3 to Glen Rovers 5 points. The second match was between Castlelyons and Blarney, again this was a tough tight match with Castlelyons just edging out Blarney to make the Cup final. Glen Rovers and Blarney ended up battling it out for the Plate final, the Glen really found their form in this game beating Blarney in the end. This left Bride Rovers playing Castlelyons in the Cup final, Bride Rovers really had to up their game against Castlelyons who had played really well against Blarney in their semi final. Both teams started off hurling well and were on level terms with each other up to half time. In the second half, Bride Rovers started to edge slightly ahead. Two goals put daylight between the sides with the Rovers winning the Cup final on a score of 2-7 to 5 points. This July was the 5th anniversary of Theresa’s death and it was lovely for the family to see her favourite team retain the trophy. The first award was given to Cormac Barry for player of the tournament, this was presented by Adam Walsh, Theresa’s grandson and recent All Ireland Minor winner. Brendan Walsh then gave a very emotional speech and presented the Cup to Cormac Barry Captain on the day with the team being presented with their medals. We would like to thank all parents for all the baking and sandwiches on the day and we would also like to thank our sponsor Eamon O'Neill from East Cork Fireplaces formally known as Rathcormac Fireplaces. A special word of thanks to our referees James Bermingham and Pa O Driscoll and of course to Glen Rovers, Blarney and Castlelyons for taking part.

Bride Rovers players on the day were Ronan Barry, Jack Mannix, Darragh Delaney, Jack Hynes, Gearoid O' Connell, Thomas O'Riordan, Thomas Hackett, Cormac Barry, David Cash, Sean Dowling, Shane Prendergast, Jack Collins, Adam Cronin, Conor O'Riordan, Adam Kelleher, Owen Ryan, Denis Fitzgerald, Jamie Walsh, Shane O'Dowd . All in Bride Rovers send best wishes to Olly Walsh for a speedy recovery after a recent illness.

MINORS WIN IN EXTRA TIME.

We crossed camans with Ballincollig in the County Premier 1 Minor Hurling Championship at Pairc na Bride on Saturday afternoon before a huge crowd. Three years ago we won the Premier 2 Minor title beating Shandrum in a replay on Saturday but on Saturday we were bidding to reach the Premier 1 decider for the first time. We had a perfect start with an early goal from Nicky Kelleher and after seven minutes we were 1 3 to a single point ahead – a five point lead which was the greatest margin between the sides for the remainder of the hour. From there til half time it was touch and go. We stayed in front but only just, leading by 1 7 to 0 8 at half time. Both sides produced great hooking and blocking of the highest order in an evenly contested game. Several times Ballincollig forward looked to be through but our defenders were very alert. Thirteen minutes into the second half Ballincollig went ahead 0 12 to 1 8 but we were back on level terms by the second water break. Points from Cillian Tobin and Adam Hayes saw us up by two but back came the team in Red and raised three white flags in a row to take the lead.. Our wides tally had mounted and coming near the end it looked like curtains for us as when Ballincollig led by a point. A great strike from a free by Cillain levelled the scores at 1 13 to 0 16. We all breathed a sigh of relief to be still in the championship. Extra time loomed then and what a transformation it brought! A goal from Louie gave us a great boost. When Adam Walsh goaled from a penalty we were 3 18 to 0 16 ahead and on our way. Ballincollig did get a goal but we went on to record a mighty win by 3 19 to 1 16. A great win by a really wholehearted bunch of lads. We used four subs and they all played their part, well done lads. Team; R O Riordan, C O Sullivan, L Collins C Hazlewood, K Cotter D Cashman A Hynes D Barry Captain C Tobin N Kelleher J Ahern A walsh RO Connell L Roche A Hayes E O Connor B Knox C O Sullivan/Swalbe D Kielty. It’s a County Final date now against Glen Rovers who had six points to spare over the Barrs on Saturday. The Premier 1 Final is fixed for Pairc Ui Rinn on next Monday night October 11^th at 8pm. The game will be preceded by the premier 2 Final between Shandrum and Kiltha Og. This will be a huge occasion for these lads and their families and the Club and Parish too. The boys were back down on the pitch on Sunday morning for a light session. The management of this team have put a lot of work in with these players and we wish them all the very best on Monday night. Go for it lads.

SENIORS & JUNIORS IN ACTION.

On next Sunday we have two hurling teams in action. At half 11 our third XV face Lisgoold in the Round Robin section of the East Cork JCHC. At 4pm then in Kildorerry our seniors face Mallow in the Round Three of the Championship. We have defeated Ballyhea and Ballymartle but in these Round Robin groups anything can happen. We have a few players still on the injury list so Mallow will present a very tough challenge. Let’s hope for massive support on Sunday for both teams and best of luck to all involved- go for it lads.

This coming weekend will undoubtedly be the busiest of the season so far as our Senior, two Junior and Minor teams are all in Championship Action. The senior team face Mallow in Kildorerry. The Minors will play Glen Rovers in the Premier 1 Final. The Junior B play Killeagh in Rostellan on Friday night at 8.15pm We are also billed to play Lisgoold at home on Sunday at half 11 in the Junior C Championship so ‘crazy busy’ is an apt description of this October weekend.-isn’t it mighty altogether!

BIG LIGHT UP ON THURSDAY.

Last Thursday night was a historic occasion for the Club. The newly installed Flood Lights in the Juvenile Pitch were turned on for the first time and looked just brilliant. The completion of this pitch has been an outstanding project over the last eighteen months. Great credit to the Committee in charge and all the volunteers who helped in anyway. There’s an old Chinese proverb ‘Many Hands Make Light Work’ and truly that’s the case with Bride Rovers.

LOTTO.

The numbers drawn last Tuesday night September 28^th were 4,13,18 and 25 were 13,20,27 and 29 and there was no jackpot winner. The Spot Prizes of €30 were won by Batt O Connell, Maura O Sullivan, Sinead O Keeffe, Carol Crowley and Denis Mulcahy. Jackpot for Tuesday October 5th^th was 420,000.

SHAMROCKS STAY UP.

Great to see that Shamrocks hurlers, who represent the three leaves of our national Emblem, Knockanore, Kilwatermoy and Glendine have survived at Intermediate level in the West Waterford Division. Trained by our very own Pat Walsh the Shamrocks were racked with injuries during their Western Intermediate Championship campaign. Last Saturday then they had to face the Prendergast Bros led Ardmore in a tricky Relegation game. Shamrocks emerged victorious on a score line of 20 points to 15, well done to the players and management involved and to Walshie also. Incidentally when a meeting was held at Ballinaha, Kilwatermoy in November 1953 to form a new GAA Club the name ‘Bride Rovers’ was chosen as most of the potential players lived in the valley of the Bride river. Fr Morrrissey CC then suggested the name ‘Shamrocks’ -to bring unity to the three parts of the parish and that’s how the Shamrocks Club was named 68 years ago.

FIXTURES;