Extra Special Hurling Win..

On a raw winter afternoon at Pairc Mac Gearailt, Mainistir Fearmuighe last Saturday our under 18 hurlers and the Dungourney/Castlemartyr combination Kiltha Og put on a display of  super hurling. This, strangely, was the Rebel Og North Under 18 Championship Final- contested by two East Cork teams! After an easy win over Aghada under lights in Rostellan we came from behind in a thriller to defeat Carrigtwohill also under lights in Carrig on a balmy November Friday night to reach this final. There was nothing balmy last Saturday but this was December and credit to the Fermoy Club for the use of the pitch. This was a novel Final in many ways. Back in October both ourselves and Kiltha Og were ‘on the same double bill’ in Pairc Ui Rinn. Back then we lost to Glen Rovers in the Premier 1 Minor (u17) County Final. The Curtain raiser that night was the premier 2 Final between Kiltha Og and Shandrum. Kiltha Og led by 10 points at one stage but the North Cork team reeled them back and got a draw. In the replay the following Saturday Kiltha made no mistake with Cork Minor Jack Leahy starring and the East Cork side won well. For Saturday’s under 18 showdown both teams had two extra players available. It was also a big boost for us that Cillian Tobin who missed the Glen Rovers game was able to line out. From the time Referee Aidan Hyland threw in the sliotar at 2 o clock until the game ended nearly two hours later the fine crowd present saw a mighty contest. We had 42 scores, extra time, a partial solar Eclipse, where would you get all that except at a GAA game! Adam Hayes opened our account with a pointed free before Kiltha levelled with a similar score.  Adam Walsh and Edmond took our tally to three by the first water break but we were two in arrears. With Denis Cashman minding Jack Leahy there were very little goal chances and the game turned into a point to point shoot out. At stages in the second quarter it seemed we were falling behind as Kiltha added a point from play and then five white flags from frees. Jacob our Team Captain, Conor and Ronan defended well and a brace of points from both Adam Walsh  and Adam Hayes made it  11 to 7  before another free from Hayesie left us just 3 points behind heading for half time. In the last few minutes as the breeze behind them picked up Kiltha added two more to go in at the break ahead by 13 points to 8. The scoring rate dried up in the third quarter. It started with a bang when we were awarded a penalty. It was a long and complicated affair but eventually Adam Walsh’s shot was deflected over the bar. When raised another white flag after excellent play from Liam Collins and Davy Barry we were back to a three point game but Leahy made it 14 to 10 by the second water break. Whatever the lads said to our players they came out flying for the last period. With Ronan O Riordan and Adam Hynes driving the team on we simply took over. If ever a player ‘stood up to the mark’ when the need was greatest it was Adam Walsh. Taking inspiration from the efforts of his team mates he hit over points from all angles – six in a row and we led by 16 to 14 with two minutes left. Kiltha got one back as we entered added time – we thought maybe three minutes but on it went.  We awaited the ref’s whistle and it came in the 66^th minute but it was free in for Kiltha which Jack Leahy pointed- a drawn game. We thought we’ll be back here for a reply in the New Year. But the rules were for extra time. It was near half three and a partial solar eclipse plunged us into near darkness. The Fermoy floodlights were out of commission but a decision was made that extra time was to be played. We thought first it was two seven and a half minute periods. Gladly two tens were settled on. Our lads thundered into the contest. Cillian Tobin showed why he was on the Cork Minor team this year with a classic point which really put fire into our play. His Rebel teammate Adam Walsh nailed three frees in a row and by ‘half time’ in extra time we were up by two 20 to 18. Lads were cramping now but in fairness our boys kept up the pressure. Both sides added two more points-ours coming from frees slotted over by Adam Walsh. We were 22 to 20 ahead and now Kiltha Og needed a goal to win. Our defence stood up and then that whistle went and we were the winners. A great display and a super win by a bunch who have known plenty defeats in the last 5 years. On this occasion however they were magnificent- those who played and came on and the panel members who urged them on. Great credit to the mentors of these players, well done lads on a mighty win. Patsy O Mahony representing Rebel Og North presented the Cup to Jacob Powell who suitably replied and asked for three cheers for Kiltha Og. Well done Jacob. We then had a deserved rendition of ‘Bride Rovers Abu’ -“When hot grew that fight those hearts grew more eager and that’s why they are true Champions today” Thanks to all the Rovers supporters who have been with this team all the way. 

U18 PANEL  

Ronan O Riordan Kieran Cotter Liam Collins Jacob Powell Captain Adam Hynes Conor Hazelwood Denis Cashman David Barry Ronan O Connell Adam Hayes Adam Walsh Cillian Tobin Josh Ahern Edmond Cashman Nicky Kelleher Darragh  O Sullivan Louie Roche Cormac O Sullivan Campso Odi Cillian Barry Ben Knox Frank O Flynn Kieran O Dowd Oran Kielty  

Cameron O Sullivan. David Barry who played to a standstill is the great, grandson of Tom Barry- known to parish old-timers as ‘Coola’, who played hurling with parish teams in the 1920’s 

SEANIE O LEARY RIP. 

It was with a great sense of sadness that we heard on last Wednesday of the death of St. Colmans, Youghal and Cork Hurler Seanie O Leary. Seanie played Senior with Cork from 1971 until 1984 and was a true ‘Leeside Legend’ with his goal-scoring prowess.  A real corner forward Seanie never strayed out around midfield -there was no net there! With Charlie McCarthy and his life-long friend Ray Cummins Seanie formed a lethal full forward line. He won 4 Senior All Irelands and leaves many great memories behind. Our sympathy to all the O Leary family. Seanie was a cousin of the Cotter family of Ballybrowney.  

LOTTO. 

On Tuesday November the 30^th our Lotto Jackpot was €15,600 Results from our Draw on Tues Nov 30^th The four Numbers drawn  9,19,27,28 -there was no jackpot winner.Lucky Dip winners of €30 each were Jim & Chissie Murphy Fr Gus O Driscoll Finnegan Family Liam O Malley Kevin Quinlan.  

AGM REPORT.  

The Senior H Team manager’s report was as follows; 2021 saw our senior hurlers reach the semi final stage of the Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship. While it was disappointing to lose to Fr. O’Neills at this stage of the competition, there was a lot of positives this year. Much of the pre-season work had to be done individually by players due to a ban on collective training due to COVID-19. Following the GAA ‘s decision to allow clubs to return to play, we had our first official training session on the 10th May. Activities in the club were suspended again from 15th to 24th May due to the high number of covid cases in the parish at the time. Once back we start preparation for league and championship. In the league we were defeated by St. Finbarrs & Midleton and we had a good win over Bishopstown. We did not qualify for the knockout stages of the league. Challenge matches were played against Shamrocks, Na Piarsaigh, Kilbrittain, Killeagh, Fermoy, Garryspillane, Tallow & Carrigaline. We played Ballyduff in the Tony Walsh tournament on Sunday 1st August in Pairc Na Bríde, defeating them on a scoreline of 0-20 to 1-12. The team on the day was captained by Cian O Connor, a neighbour of the late Tony Walsh. Our first group game in the championship game was in Castletownroche versus Ballyhea on 12th September. Following a very good performance we won comfortably on a scoreline of 1-25 to 0-12. Six days later we played Ballymartle in Riverstown and this was a tough game which we won by the narrowest of margins, 1-09 to 0-11. During the course of the game Jason Pratt sustained a head injury which required the game to be stopped for 45 minutes while Jason received medical attention and was removed to hospital. Thankfully Jason made a full recovery. Special thanks to our own medical team of Devon Roche & Chloe Ahern for caring for Jason. Also thanks to Ballymartle & Sarsfields for their assistance. With 2 wins, we were guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately a defeat to Mallow in our last group game in Kildorrery denied us a bye into the semi-final. Mallow winning on a scoreline of 3-09 to 0-16. Having drawn Blarney in the Quarter-Final, we produced our best performance of the year in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on 30th October to defeat the Muskerry men by 2-21 to 2-16. Having with stood a lot of Blarney pressure in the opening half, we were delighted to be level at half-time. This gave the team a tremendous boost and we went on to out play Blarney in the second half with a great team performance. Through to a county semi-final against East Cork rivals Fr. O’Neills, we approached the game with confidence. A great start had us 0-6 to 0-3 in front after 12 minutes but by half time Fr O Neills had gained the upper hand and led 1-11 to 0-9. The Rovers fought hard in the second half and at one stage reduced the deficit to 2 points, however o’Neills held on to win 1-19 to 1-15. Special thanks to all the players on the panel for the huge commitment they give to preparing for championship. The attitude and work ethic of the whole team was fantastic and they were superbly led by team captain Ryan Prendergast. Thanks to our tremendous backroom team of Ray, Jammy, David & Ronan who take huge pressure off the team management at training and on match days. Thanks too to our Stats & Goalkeeper coach Frank Hogan and also to our medical team of Darren, Devon & Chloe who are invalable to the setup. Thanks to Declan Kielty for his video analysis and Brendan Barry for videoing the games. Also to Pat Walsh & Donnacha Carr for their assistance and advice. Finally I want to thank our coach Pa Kearney & selector Noel Crowley. Pa done tremendous work in coaching the team and despite interruptions caused by COVID had the team playing great hurling come championship. Noel was a great benefit too to the setup and was on hand to take sessions and add his playing and management experience. 

OFFICER LINEUP FOR 2020. 

Cathaoirleach Gerard Lane 

Leas-Cathaoirleach Pa O Driscoll  

Runaí Mike Carey  

Cisteoir  Aiden Dorgan 

PRO John Arnold 

Injury Fund Administrator Daniel Lane  

Registrar Mike Carey and Aiden Dorgan 

Children’s Officer Rosario Kielty 

Oifigigh Gaelige & Cultúr Mossie O Sullivan  

Health & Wellbeing Officer Jerome O Driscoll  

Coaching Officer Jerome O Driscoll Grounds Officer 

Denis Ahern & John Murphy. 

GOOD LUCK. 

Good luck to Ballygiblin who make their first venture into the Munster JHC against Caherline from Limerick and Midleton in the SHC v Kilmallock. 

WELL DONE ARAGLEN 

It seems only a few weeks ago since Araglen were celebrating winning the Co JBHC well winning can become a lovely habit! Victory over Lismire last Saturday meant the 2021 JCFC Crown comes to Araglen. Well done to all concerned on a brilliant season. 

CLUB 100 & ANNUAL LOTTO TICKETS. 

 We are seeking new members for 2022 for our Club 100 Scheme. There are 3 Club 100 Packages Bronze Membership at €20 per month, Silver which is €30 per month and Gold at €40 per month. Each Package includes Club Membership  and a minimum of 1 yearly Lotto Ticket- that’s the Bronze option. The Gold covers Full Membership, Ticket in the Rebel Bounty monthly Draw, 2 ticket each week in the Club Lotto and entry to the Club 100 Bonus Draw. With huge financial commitments now undertaken for future Development we will need a huge income stream annually. Another way of supporting the Club is by purchasing a yearly Lotto Ticket for €90. Please contact Club Treasurer Aiden Dorgan or any Club Executive member in regards to these fundraisers. A Club 100 membership or an annual Lotto ticket would be an ideal Christmas present.  

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are;    Rathcormac Tyres  Fermoy print & Design Veloia