Club Notes.. - 2022-02-13 09:52:00
The Late Mick Barry..
I suppose to outsiders the GAA is just a sporting organization promoting Gaelic games for men and women, boys and girls but the truth is so different. The Gaelic Athletic Association is so much more than just sport, is it the heart of the community. What makes the GAA so unique is the pride and dedication so many people give to their Club. Winning All Irelands with County teams is great and brilliant but the basis, the foundation, the real grassroots of the Association is the local Club and dedicated Club volunteers. Like so many others we in Bride Rovers have been so lucky, so blessed to have had people right down since the Club’s foundation in 1928 who were and are prepared to put their shoulder to the wheel. Last week we lost one of the best when Mick Barry died. Though he had been in failing health for some time Mick’s death still came as a major blow not just to his beloved family but to all of us in the Club and the wider community. The GAA has a proud boast that it provides ‘a home for all’ - great hurlers and footballers, hurlers on the ditch, administrators and ordinary members and supporters. Born in 1939 Mick grew up at a time when our Club enjoyed little success, indeed during the 1950’s and early 1960’s the Club had a patchy existence. Carnival matches and tournaments were the lifeblood of the GAA for many Clubs back then. Mick often recalled games against the Hill, St. Catherines, Lisgoold and Castlelyons where local rivalry was so important. Mick Barry played just a handful of games but whilst still a teenager he represented the Club at East Cork Board meetings in Midleton -often cycling the fifteen miles. His memory of those days was brilliant and every story Mick told was laced with humour. Running a GAA Club is not always easy but Mick Barry always made sure that we never forgot to enjoy our time involved and have fun as well! Having spent a few years working in England Mick returned to his native parish and from the mid 1960’s onwards the Bride Rovers Club met with great success. Having a ‘home of our own' was vital to ensure continuity and development for the Club. In May of 1977 Mick along with Pat Hoskins, Pat O Connor, Tom Kearney and Tom Barry(Garrynacole) were appointed “to try and find some suitable field which could be purchased’ -they were asked to report within a month but in eight days they had secured a possible site for a pitch. Mick was a great man to get things done, always with a smile. His wit was well illustrated by an incident after a Tournament game in the 1980’s. We had won a Tournament Final and a set of trophies sponsored by a certain publican. In the pub after the game we were presented with the statuettes -they looked like a bronze figure of a hurler on a marble base - but in fact were plastic, costing, I’d say, about £3 each! “Well Mick” said the publican “what do you think of the trophies?” “Do you know what” replied Mick “you’d stay up all night looking at them”! When news of Mick’s death came through on Thursday morning a decision was immediately made to cancel all Club activities including training and the Saturday night Bingo. From Thursday ‘til Sunday Bride Rovers Club members swung into action to ensure that Mick got a fitting send off. Thanks to all who helped with stewarding, parking, catering and the very impressive Guard of Honour before Mass on Sunday.
Club Chairman Gerard Lane addressed the congregation on Sunday as follows.
It is my privilege as Chairman of Bride Rovers to have been asked by the family to pay tribute to a great husband and father, grandfather, and extraordinary Bride Rovers club man whose passing is greatly mourned by all of us of here today and those who cannot be here. I extend on behalf of the whole club our deepest sympathy to Margaret, Nicola, Michelle Liam and Pat. May, Kathleen, Jean, Tommy & Billy. It is appropriate to recall a lifetime of service and achievement that most notably advanced our club with selfless dedication and brightened the lives of so many people that were privileged to have worked with him. Mick led by example, great foresight and was a motivator, leader, storyteller with a brilliant sense of humour and a wonderful way with people.
Mick had been involved with Bride Rovers since the late 1950s. In his younger days he was a delegate to the East Cork Board and Mick recalled many times cycling to Midleton town hall to attend meetings or handing in a letter re a fixture change etc…Mick was very much influenced by two of our founding fathers The Master Tom Barry and his brother David John. He was a key figure in putting the club on a solid footing along with his brother Tommy, times were tough, money was scarce, even getting players on the field and fundraising was difficult too. He was delighted to see the club progress winning East cork Titles in 1966, 68 and 69. This along with his lifetime friend Fr Seanie Barry winning an All-Ireland with Cork in 1966 made Mick a proud man.
In May 1977 a club meeting decided it needed its own playing field, a 5-person committee were appointed to report back in one month.
By Now Mick had a thriving business in the village having opened a large Mace supermarket. More than likely the pitch was purchased there along with his long-time friend and current president Pat O Connor at the back end of the shop near the meat counter. Many unofficial meetings took place here and no minutes taken either !
If the truth be known Mick had already done the groundwork on the purchase, they didn’t need the month, they reported back in just 8 days! and so, the story of Pairc na Bríde had begun with Mick at the helm.
The opening of Pairc na Bride was a major milestone for the club and Mick was justifiably proud to see it all coming together that beautiful June evening in 1985, after he had been so instrumental in acquiring the land in the first place.
As treasurer of the club in the 80s Mick was the lead man in raising funds around that time, his contacts in the business world were invaluable. Regularly at club meetings Mick proposed that we purchase or take on some work when we had no funds and when this was pointed out, Mick would say “sure look we will pay for it sometime”.!
In the middle of a meeting, if some topic came up, He would regale us with stories of former times and people and happenings long ago, he was simply great craic, full of humour, and devilment and we loved it. You always left with a smile
Often when work was being done here and there Mick would make a phone call so any leftovers from the job like a load of gravel, stone, topsoil, or tarmac never went astray, and it was that kind of commitment built this club with Mick leading the way.
Mick gave use of his land in Knocknaboola,for Hot Rod, Tug O War and Thrashing in 1980.Club Secretary JA asked Mick what about Insurance these are risky events, ‘Don’t worry, that’ll be fine’ -and it was! And the club made a nice profit on the day all thanks to Mick’s generosity. And no insurance claim!
He had great contacts in the business world and used them to great effect for the club. Lack of money never stopped Mick from getting work done and his business acumen was a major driving force in those times.
When we applied for a grants in the 70s, having purchased cement, sand, gravel timber etc and they were usually bought by Mick for cash, but then we had to have receipts to receive the grant, but Mick had no problem supplying the necessary documentation!
He was also a sponsor of the club through his own business, the Mace supermarket at the time. Countless times Mick picked up the tab for various jobs done and the club never received an invoice as Mick had it paid himself.
When Mick finished up as treasurer he looked after the club grounds and did fantastic work for many years, his blue car and trailer at the pitch almost every day putting in many hours all on a voluntary basis.
In 1998 Mick was the proudest man when the club won the East Cork & Cork County JAHC and again in 2003 another county title at Intermediate and the club reaching Senior status. with his sons Liam and Pat involved and his daughters Nicola and Michelle in the background. This was the holy grail for Mick who had seen the club struggle and now our club were playing Senior Hurling. Mick was beaming, he was already in heaven.
Just last Autumn despite his failing health Mick saw the club capture the East Cork JAFC and was visibly happy to attend that day in Carrignavar, he was there to witness another victory and hear Bride Rovers ABU for the last time.
Mick was a trustee since the 70s and elected a Vice President in more recent years to recognise his immense contribution over 60 years.It’s safe to say that without Mick in the lean years the club would not be in the position it is today.
To put it in a nutshell, though Mick never played in a serious way he has left a major imprint on the club, a major legacy an indelible mark on Bride Rovers.
Mick was a sincere, respected, good humoured, loyal man and there is no question, but he stands as one our greatest ever club men, his contribution can never be quantified and will be long remembered with great fondness by all of us, and spoken of as long as Bride Rovers is mentioned. He was small in stature, big in heart, a pillar of our club and will remain a towering figure in the history of Bride Rovers. Goodbye Mick…. Bride Rovers ABU.
Mick's funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Neilus O Donnell, Fr Joe O Keeffe PP and Fr Gus O Driscoll and Fr Martin Barry from Sarsfields was also in attendance
BINGO BACK.
Our first 2022 Bingo Session was held last Saturday night week and with Maurice Dooley ‘calling’ it went off very well.
Bingo will go ahead again at 8.30pm on this coming Saturday night February 12th. To play simply log in and buy your Bingo Book -€8 for 3 games or if you wish €16 for two booksYour Book will be sent to you via email by Let’s Play Bingo. If you don't get your book on the Thursday OR Saturday don't forget to check your spam folder. Failing that please contact brideroversbingo@
Books are distributed on Thursday (If bought before Wednesday night) and on Saturday (If bought after Wednesday night). Remember Bingo Books must be bought before 12 noon on next Saturday. Also please remember you can buy a Bingo Book or Books and if you are unable to ‘play’ on Saturday night don’t worry as once you have bought the Book you are in the game. If our numbers come up for Lines or a House you will win the appropriate prize. Bingo is a great bit of fun and helps also with Fundraising so tell all your friends about it.
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
The first Lotto draw for February took place on St Bridget’s Day February 1st. The 4 Numbers drawn were 1,7, 10 and 32 with no winner. The winners of €30 each were Alan Murphy, Rathcormac, C.McCool, Castlelyons, O Flynn Family main St,. Clodagh Fitzgerald Knockananig and Eileen Dorgan Kldinan. Lotto tickets are just €2 each and every €2 is vital for our Club. You can join online at http://briderovers.ie/ or purchase from any of the retail outlets locally. With so many friends and supporters of Bride Rovers scattered all over the world please spread the news about the Weekly Lotto. A yearly ticket for the Lotto costs just €90 and can be purchased from Club members or any of our Lotto Subcommittee.
REBELS BOUNTY TIME VERY SOON.
Since the Cork GAA Club Members Draw was started well over a decade ago it has brought in huge revenue to the Clubs in Cork. The Fundraiser was rebranded and relaunched as Rebels Bounty last year. With a huge range of valuable monthly prizes this Draw is a great investment for just €100 per annum which is basically €10 per month plus two free draws. The Bride Rovers Club is actively supporting the Rebels Bounty initiative so please support the GAA in your parish and in Cork by joining up. Tickets are now on sale from Club members. If you’re not in you can’t win. The first monthly Draw in the 2022 series will be in February so please join up and encourage your friends and relations to do the same.
CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING.
Our next Club Executive meeting will be held in the Clubroom on next Monday night February the 14th at 8pm. The Agenda will be sent out to members.
PLEASE SUPPORT DRAMA IN BARTLEMY.
On this coming Friday February 11th and again on the following Friday February 18th Bartlemy parish Hall will host dramatic productions as part of the Blackwater Valley Fit Ups. On Friday February 11th Seamus O Rourke stars in ‘Victors Dung’. A week later on Friday February 18th Irene Kelleher stars in her own play ‘Wake’. The Fit Ups were held in 2020 and were hugely successful but covid caused their cancellation last year.
BALLYGIBLIN PIPPED.
It was so near and yet so far for the warrior hurlers of Ballygiblin in Croke Park last Saturday. Mooncoin were winners of the All Ireland JHC title by a single point. Hard luck Ballygiblin but well done on a marvellous year winning Avondhu, Cork and Munster titles.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
Veloia
