Club Notes... - 2023-02-18 06:37:00
Remembering Dave - 50 years on
Sunday the 18th of February in the year 1973 was a cold and wet day. It was with a tractor and trailer that we transported the coffin of Dave Ryan on it’s journey to Macroney cemetery. I suppose it was fitting that Dave’s last journey was in a manner he was well used to. The previous Friday Dave had collected the churns of milk around Bartlemy the same way as he had done for years. When he came back to Bartlemy that evening he wasn’t feeling well. Eily got him to go to bed and rest for a while. Dave Ryan died suddenly that fateful Friday evening. It might be all of five decades ago but I can still remember the awful sadness and shock which enveloped us all that weekend. The Bartlemy farmers, his beloved Bride Rovers GAA Club and most of all his devoted wife Eily. Dave was born in Kilworth in 1910. He worked around locally in North Cork as a labourer on farmers and did a bit of building too. In 1933 Dave married a local girl Elizabeth Murphy from Douglas Bridge. Sadly Elizabeth died in 1955 at the age of just 42. Dave always had a fondness for machinery. He saw an add on The Cork Examiner looking for ‘man to follow threshing machine’ -the O Sullivan family of Rathaneague, Bartlemy were anxious to get someone to help with the threshing set. Dave came to the pub in Bartlemy Cross and was directed to O Sullivans. He got the job and ‘lived in’ with the family. At the time Dave had no more interest in Gaelic games than the man on the moon! Ho loved greyhounds as did the O Sullivans so he kept a few dogs while there. After a few years Dave branched out on his own and got a thrashing set for himself. His escapades with this machine were legendary -from pulling it on three wheels to setting fire to himself while thrashing for Paul Rose in Kilshannig! At this time Dave thought it a ‘complete waste of time going off to auld hurling matches’! In the mid 1960’s Dave got rid of the thrasher and bought a tractor and trailer to collect and take the churns of milk to the creamery for farmers around Bartlemy. He bade farewell to Rathaneague and came over o stay with Mike and Jo Ahern and family -and Fagan, of course in the house across the road from the chapel in Bartlemy village. He had his diesel tank for the tractor on the wall above Aherns. In 1964 at a meeting in Bartlemy Hall the Bride Rovers GAA Club was restarted and Dave was elected onto the first Club Committee. That same year love blossomed once more for Dave Ryan when he married Eily Hankard from the Tallow Road. Dave moved in with his new wife Eily and her mother Mrs Hankard. His mother in law died in 1965 but not before she sprinkled Holy Water on Dave as he left for work each morning -except when ‘twas raining “Yerra Missus there’s plenty holy water falling from the sky today -tis grand” Dave was initially a football selector and Football, chairman for Bride Rovers. Soon he was at every match- six and seven nights a week! David John Barry organised the juvenile players for under 14 and under 16 games and Dave did the same in Bartlemy. He also served as a selector with St Bartholomew’s Minor Club – joined with St. Catherine’s first and Watergrasshill later. Dave never drove a modern car or van and taking six or seven lads to a match was no bother to him. He became passionate about the Rovers and working out of Castlelyons Creamery back then their was savage rivalry between the Rovers, Castlelyons and St Catherine’s. Winning games was important for Dave and if it meant tripping a star opponent as he ran by the side-line or shouting at a goalie to “Mind the ******* bull!” it didn’t matter once the lads in Green, White and Gold won. He was so proud of the teams that brought us three East Cork titles in the 1960’s. He became an ardent Cork fan too and travelled all over the country following the Blood and Bandage. His sudden death this week fifty years ago came as a huge blow to family , friends and Club. Himself and David John Barry and ‘the Master’ Tom Barry NT left us a proud legacy that flourishes and grows today. Next Sunday we will gather in the little cemetery of Macroney and unveil a plaque in memory of Dave Ryan. An open invitation is extended to one and all. The ceremony will commence at 2 o clock. Macroney cemetery will be signposted from Kilworth village. Afterwards we will gather in The Village Inn for refreshments. For more information ring 087 9538077.
LOTTO.
After a winning combination was drawn on January31st the numbers last week on Feb 7th were 13,20, 25 & 32 and there was no winner. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Fr Seanie Barry, Kenya, Sophie Quirke, Terramount, Margreat Hurley, Terramount, Geradline Ahern, Hightown, Philip Buckner, c/o Online Lotto. This week's jackpot on Valentines Night was an incredible €5,200. Remember if you’re m not in you can’t win so do remember to buy your ticket each week for just €2. There are a variety of ways to join the Lotto. Tickets can be purchased from members of the Bride Rovers Club, in local business outlets and of course online. If your ticket has expired or you would like to purchase for the first time, please enter via http://bit.ly/
CORK HURLERS.
Cork hurlers are motoring well in the League. After a narrow home win against Limerick the Rebels followed up with a good victory over Galway last Sunday. Played in Pearse Stadium in Salthill Cork won in a 7 goal thriller. Well done to Eoin and Brian Roche who lined out in the Red jersey. It was probably the first time ever that two Bride Rovers players started for Cork in a NNHL game, well done lads. Cork are at home to Westmeath in two weeks.
1993 DOUBLE FUNCTION.
Plans are well advanced for the Social Night in the Rathcormac Inn on Saturday week. Our winning teams from last year will be presented with their medals and the 1993 B Grade Double winning team will be our special guests. It promises to be a great night.
EXECITIVE MEETING.
Thirty members attended the Executive meeting Monday night last with Chairman Pa O Driscoll presiding. A full Agenda was got through with East Cork and County Board Reports, Sub Committee Reports and the Treasures report all being adopted. The B=big news from Evelyn Murphy and her Committee is that Bride Rovers are taking to the ‘Silver Screen’ with a Gala OSKERS Night planned for May 26h next, full details to come. The 2023 Development Plan for the Pynes Field Development was proposed and seconded. Work will commence next week when the present ESB lines will be relocated. The Entrance to be enhanced for better visibility. The existing Boundary ditch to be knocked to open up the two fields and a new Boundary ditch to be created and hedge set later in the year. It was agreed that the Sand Based bitch will be developed in 2023. Exciting times and costly times too but the project is huge and the financial challenge likewise but we’re on the way. Other points to note from the meeting ;Juvenile Academy will startup the last Saturday in February -Saturday week. The Ladies Club are having a Long Puck Fundraiser on St Patricks Day. Vacancies exist for workers on the Community Employment Scheme -contact 087 9538077. Tributes were paid to the late John Murphy of Ballybrowney for a valuable financial contribution which he made to the Club. At Monday night’s meeting we extended best wishes to Armagh’s Jarlath Burns as contests the GAA Presidency at Congress in Croke Park this weekend.
WALK IN THE LIGHT
Step into Spring - Join the final four weeks of the Healthy Club Walking Initiative
With four weeks to go, new faces are more than welcome to join the weekly walking group. (Monday, 7.30pm from the large astro)
If you (and your family) plan to join in Week 5 or have taken part to date without registering, please take the time to register at https://forms.office.com/e/
FIXTURES.
Our East Cork J.Football League campaign will commence next weekend with a home game V Carrignavar. The following Sunday we are away to Fermoy in the Red FM SHL
UNDER 18.
For 2023 we are playing in the Under18 Premier 2 Hurling grade. Our games commence on March 4 away to Carrigtwohill. On March 17 we are Home to Aghada and on March 29 away to St Catherine’s. April 12th sees us away to Youghal. April 26th Home to St Finbarrs.
In under 18 football we’re in Division 2.
Feb 25 away to St Vincent’s. March 11th away to Cobh. 25 March Home to St Catherines. 5 April away to Kilworth. 19th April Home to Mayfield.
SCOR.
Best of luck to our participants in Scorn a b Paisti . They have been preparing in recent weeks . The East Cork semi finals are on February 25th and 26th.
REBELS BOUNTY 2023.
Rebels’ Bounty is the monthly draw for Cork GAA Members run by the Cork Bounty Board, and is an important fundraising initiative within our club, as much of the ticket sale revenue is returned to our Club to support activities and developments.
Across the 12 monthly draws, there are €500,000 in prizes and 360 chances to win.
The cost to join the draw for 12 months is €100 with a closing date for this year of mid-February. The January, February and march draws will be held towards the end of March.
Further detail at https://gaacork.ie/
JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
At present there are several vacancies locally for positions on Community Employment (CE) Schemes. These jobs entail working for 22 hours per week. Those over 21 and on a Department of Social Welfare payment are generally eligible for CE placement. For details please contact 086 30009107.
SYMPATHY.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of Margaret Spillane nee Ahern of Conna who died last weekend. Margaret was aunt of Carmel Finnegan and Helen Arnold.
DIARY DATES.
Monday Feb 20th Healthy Walking Club at 7.30pm
Friday Feb 17th GAA Congress Croke Park
Sunday Feb 19th Dave Ryan Commemoration, Macroney Cemetery at 2 o clock.
Sat Feb 25th Club Celebration Event, Rathcormac Inn.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
