Club Notes.. - 2021-11-13 08:00:00
Hurling Semi Finals this weekend..
November it might be but this coming weekend is a huge one for our Club. After the disappointment of narrowly losing out in the County Junior Football championship last Saturday we return to hurling action on three fronts. Our Senior, Junior C and under 16 Hurling teams are involved in Championship semi finals -Senior on Saturday and Junior and under 16 on Sunday. It promises to be a hectic weekend of hurling activity. A single point was all that separated ourselves and Urhan last weekend in Ahiohill, it was a great performance from a team that has given us so much enjoyment since July. On Sunday at high noon in Ballynoe our third XV hurling team took on St Catherine’s in a refixed Round Robin game in the East Cork JCHC. We had beaten Lisgoold and Lisgoold beat St Catherine’s so the game was in effect a quarter final. At the end of a lively game we won by 8 points. So next weekend in the ‘triple decker’ of semi finals our playing programme is as follows.
Saturday November 13th Senior A Hurling Bride Rovers v Fr O Neills in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 1 0 clock
Sunday November 14th Premier under 16 Hurling Bride Rovers v Aghada in Rathcormac at 11 o clock.
Junior C Hurling Bride Rovers v Carrignavar at 12 noon, in Carrignavar.
COUNTY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
So near and yet so far was the outcome in picturesque Ahiohill, the grounds of St Oliver Plunkett’s GAA Club last Saturday. Pipped at the post one could say, it was a game we could have won easily and on the other hand we must commend the brilliant effort of our lads. We played against a near gale force wind in the first half. The first three attacks Urhan had were all kicked wide as our lads defended heroically. By the first water break just two points had been scored by the West Cork side. From a free Cian Hogan opened our account before Urhan made it 3 to 1. From a 45 metre kick Cian raised the white flag again and we were just two points in arrears at half time 0 4 to 0 2. While the wind never won a game for anyone we were in a good position at the short whistle. When Paddy O Flynn kicked a great point in the first minute of the second half we looked to be on our way. Urhan however despite playing against the wind were great at holding possession and working it up the field.They pointed a free but Conor Barry did likewise and it was 0 5 to 0 4 after 15 minutes. Urhan pointed another free and were then awarded a penalty but Stephen Glasgow made a brilliant save which inspired us and Conor narrowed the gap to a single point when he kicked over another free and so it was 0 6 to 0 5 at the second water break. After Conor pointed another free Urhan went two points ahead 0 8 to 0 6. We were nearing bthe end of the contest when Seamus Ahern got through for a great goal and for the first time we were ahead 1 6 to 0 8. The next score was vital but the Urhan boys won the ball and worked it up the pitch and manufactured a free to level the game. A draw looked likely with extra time looming. We all expected three or four minutes of added time for injuries but for some reason known only to the referee he played over seven minutes. Urhan got another free to take the lead and they won by that score, 0 10 to 1 6. It was terrible to lose by a single, solitary point and in fairness we had very few wides but when we went ahead we could have had a another point or two. Missing Jordan and Brian from the East Cork Final the lads ran themselves to a standstill. When we met Midleton on Monday July the 12 in our first Group JAFC game little did we think that we would end up as East Cork Champions so well done lads on a brilliant season. Special praise to Vincent Cronin, Batt O Connell and Anthony Cahill for the time and effort they put into football in the Club this year.
JUNIOR C HURLING.
In a ‘winner take all’ game in Pairc Naomh Caitrionaigh on Sunday last our Junior C Hurlers played St Catherines in the Junior C Championship. This was a refixture as a few weeks back this game was abandoned in the second half after an injury to Dave Burke. Since then we beat Lisgoold by three points but Lisgoold then had a big win over Catherines so we needed a win to qualify from the group. The team was much changed from the Lisgoold game as James and Stephen played B grade, Daniel and Maurice were ‘out of bounds’ and three others were unavailable last Sunday. Pa O Driscoll started in goal with Brenny and Darragh O Sullivan in defence and upfront Sean Ryan and James Barry made their debuts. With Jerome O Driscoll operating at centre forward the points started to flow with Sean, Alan and Leon adding to Jerome’s tally. Tomas Kearney was solid at centre back with Andy and Craig playing well. We led by 8 points to 3 at the first water break and by 13 to 5 at half time. Unfortunately Jerome had to go off with a dreaded hamstring injury late in the first half. We had to rearrange the team for the remainder of the game. Paddy Croke who learned his hurling with Moycarkey Borris came on in goal and Pa moved outfield and added a point in the second half. A goal for St Catherine’s brought them into the game but points from Leon O Flynn, Craig and Alan Barry helped us to lead by18 points to 1 7 at the second water break. Then a ball from Paddy to Mark O Connell moved up to Colm Howard, was added to by Jack Kearney and Sean Ryan and wham, the sliotar was crashed to the net by James Barry to put us well ahead. We ended up with Dave Burke – who will ever forget that goal he scored against Cloyne in Pairc Ui Rinn?, coming on and we won by 1 18 to 1 10. Well done lads on a great display. We will be facing Carrignavar’s second team in next Sunday’s semi final which will be a tough ask.
Team & Scorers; Pa O’Driscoll 0:1,Mark O’Connell, Brendan O’Driscoll, Darragh O’Sullivan, Andy O’Regan, Tomas Kearney, Craig O’Callaghan 0:4, Colm Howard, Jack Kearney, Leon O’Flynn 0:3,Jerome O’ Driscoll 0:5, Brian Collins, James Barry 1:0,Sean Ryan 0:3, Alan Barry 0:2 Subs; Patrick Croke for Jerome O’Driscoll, 28 mins, Dave Burke for Leon O’Flynn 58 mins
SENIOR SEMI FINAL.
I think history will be made on Saturday when for the first time very we play a Senior Championship game at 1 o clock in the day. Pairc Ui Chaoimh is the venue and Fr O Neills are the opposition. With Kanturk already in the Senior A Final there will be great interest in this East Cork ‘derby’ game. We started our campaign in Castletownroche with a good win over ballyhea. Our second group game against bBallymartle in Riverstown turned out to be a marathon match. A serious injury to Jason Pratt meant a long delay. When the game resumed we held on to win. A victory in our Final Group game against Mallow would have assured us of a Semi Final spot. Confidence was high going to Kildorrery on a glorious afternoon. Mallow came thundering into the game and after the third quarter we looked in serious trouble. In fairness to the team they rallied strongly and got some great scores but we were still two points behind at the final whistle. This meant the ‘picturesque route’ for us with a quarter final game against last year’s PIHC winners Blarney. Playing great hurling that Saturday evening in Pairc Ui Chaoimh we had a great win to reach the semi final. Having lost to Charleville in last years decider Fr O Neill’s have been favourites to win this championship before any sliotar was thrown in. We last met in our second group game on Friday August 7th 2021. We were down 1 11 to 0 6 at half time but played much better as the game went on. In the end the Ladysbridge/Ballymacoda side won by seven points, 1 20 to 0 16. Our team that evening was Cian Hogan, Fergus Collins, Brian Murphy, Tadhg O Sullivan, Shane O Connor , Eoin Roche, Shane Walsh, Daniel Dooley (Captain), Kieran Kearney, William Finnegan, Ryan Prendergast, Paddy O Flynn, Jason Pratt, Cian O Connor Brian Roche; Subs Conor Barry & Michael Collins, Jason Pratt. Scorers William Finnegan 0 10, 8 from frees, 2 65's, Daniel Dooley 0 2, Brian Roche 0 4. We have a few injury worries going into Saturday’s contest but hopefully they will be ok. Having lost the quarter final to Newcestown in Blarney last year this season has been one of progress but Fr O Neill’s are by far the strongest team we have met. It’s a huge challenge but I think our lads are up for it, go for it boys. Remember tickets for the game must be purchased online.
DOWN THE YEARS.
We’ve met Fr O Neills in East Cork hurling many times down the years. In 1986 we beat them by 3 6 to 3 3 in the East Cork JAHC but two years later they won by 3 14 to 2 9. The low point came on July 28th 1992 in Castlemartyr. We had regraded to Junior B the year before. Despite Tom Mulcahy scoring 11 points Fr O Neill's second team best us by 2 16 to 2 13 with Joe Swayne getting the bulk of their scores. Four years later, in 1996, Fr O Neills won the East Cork A grade championship. A year later, on Sunday August 1997 we met O Neill’s in the East Cork semi final in Lisgoold. Goals from Mike Hogan and Terry Broderick helped us to a 2 5 to 1 5 half time lead. Late in the game we were ahead by 2 9 to to 1 9 when Georgie Johnson hit a super score to put us 4 ahead as time was nearly up. Into injury time O Neills got a point. They then bombarded us looking for an equalising goal but our defence held out to win by 2 10 to 1 10 and a first East Cork Final since 1973. Team; A O Flynn, A Cahill, A Broderick, N Fitzgerald, P Barry, Barry Murphy B O Connell D Ryan P Murphy T Mulcahy, J Murphy P Walsh M Hogan T Broderick J O Driscoll. Sub D. Johnson
UNDER 16 SEMI FINAL.
The Under 16 hurlers had a good win over Watergrasshill in awful weather on last Sunday week. This win qualified the team for the Premier 2 championship Semi-final and in this contest we face Aghada on this coming Sunday at 11 o clock in Rathcormac. Go for it lads.
This weeks sees Fr Seanie Barry return to his Mission work in Kenya. Unfortunately we had to cancel a function last Friday night to mark the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the Priesthood in 1971. The decision to postpone the event was made on health and safety grounds due to the covid pandemic. During his holidays Fr Seanie was able to see a huge number of Bride Rovers games which he really enjoyed. We say ‘Bon Voyage’ on his journey to Kenya and pray that God will keep him safe in his work in Africa.
MASS OF REMEMBRANCE.
On Monday night last the East Cork GAA Board in conjunction with the Killeagh Club celebrated a mass of Remembrance in Killeagh Church. Fr Tim Hazelwood PP was the celebrant. The mass was in memory of all those from the GAA community of East Cork who have died in the last 20 months. It was a lovely, prayerful and moving event. Avril Geary did the Reading and Don Hegarty, Jimmy Smiddy, Jerome O Brien and Jimmy Smiddy read the prayers of the faithful. In his homily Fr Tim said it was good to gather as friends rather than sporting rivals and remember those people, near and dear to us, who have died during covid times, strange times indeed. He recalled especially Sean Murphy of Killeagh -who was the longest servant Board Delegate. Maurice Carroll of Castlelyons sang beautifully and was accompanied by Mary Pedder Daly on piano. Refreshments were served afterwards in Killeagh Hall.
WELL DONE BALLYGIBLIN.
Congrats to Ballygiblin on their North Cork Hurling Final win over Clyda Rovers in Buttevant last Sunday. Best of luck on the County campaign.
WEEKLY LOTTO.
After all the excitement of having a jackpot winner the previous week it was back to basics on las Tuesday night, November the 2nd, well not exactly as we had a good start-off again with a new jackpot of €14,800. The four numbers drawn were15, 17, 20 & 23 and there was no winner. The prizes of €30 each went to Fintan Lawlor, Lorraine McMahon, Alan Courtney, Aidan O'Mahony and Richie Kelly, Midleton. The Jackpot for last Tuesday November the 9th was €15,000.
REJOICING IN RATHANEAGUE.
There was great excitement in the Browne homestead in Rathaneague, Bartlemy last week. Mai Browne’s grand daughter Rachel, daughter of Sean, was a member of the Kilmacud Crokes ladies football team that had a one point win in the Under 15 County Final. Well done Rachel. Mai and all the Browne and Barry family members are great supporters of the Rovers down the years.
BEST OF LUCK MIKE.
We have another connection with the Dublin GAA Scene next weekend also. Former Bride Rovers player Mike Kearney of Ballybrowney lines out at centre-back for The Na Fianna hurlers who contest the Dublin Junior Hurling Championship Final. Best of luck to Mike and his team-mates.
UNDER 11’S.
The under 11 boys had their last game at home on Saturday to Nemo Rangers in hurling. The lads really finished the year in style with a great all round performance. We will train for two more Saturdays in the astro before we finish for the year. It’s been a strange year with very little playing activity due to covid in the first six months. However once the season started these lads really got stuck in. Great improvement can be seen from this bunch of boys throughout the season and their dedication to training in both hurling and football was just brilliant. The most important thing was that they really enjoyed all the training sessions and games. Learning the skills and making friends is what the GAA is all about for these young players.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
Veolia
