Bride Rovers

Seniors meet Mallow Juniors take on Carrigtwohill..

This is a ‘Hurling Weekend’ at East Cork and County Board level. On tonight Thursday April 13th our Junior A team travel to Carrigtwohill for an 8pm start -under lights. On Sunday we are at home to Mallow in Divisiuoion2 of the County Senior Hurling League with a half 11 throw-in. On Monday night our third XV are at home to Lisgoold in a n East Cork Div 4 JHL game. With plenty Juvenile games at each age-group including Feile and a 2 month-long Fundraiser for the Night At The Oskars it’s rally hectic and a case of many hands make light work.

NO EASTER GAME.

We had a Senior Hurling challenge arranged against the Tipperary side Uppechurch-Drombane but unfortunately the contest didn’t materialise on Easter Sunday morning with a training session instead. We have our 4th SHL game on Sunday when mallow come to Rathcormac. We defeated Fermoy and Ballincollig and lost to Newtownshandrum in our first three games.

FEILE SUCCESS.

The under15s started their Féile campaign last Saturday in Castletownroche with section matches against Ballycastle and St Colmcilles with the winners proceeding to a Group Final against the other section winners. The first match against Ballycastle was a good battle with the boys coming out on top on a 5-3 to 4-1 scoreline. Next up were St Colmcilles who started the better of the two sides and looked to be in control initially but the Rovers boys gradually eased themselves into the match, eventually winning on a scoreline of 5-7 to 1-3, with Eoghan Buckley getting a goal on his debut in the forwards. Having topped the section the boys now moved to Killdorrery to play the winners of the other section which included St Catherine's, Kildorrery and Lisgould; That had ended with Lisgould and St Catherine's level on points. It came down to aggregate points conceded with St Catherine's narrowly getting through to meet Bride Rovers in the final. The final started well for the boys with midfield of Denis Fitzgerald and Éanna Lyons putting the opposition midfield under pressure from the throw in and patrolling the field from defence to attack throughout; Denis also managed to score a goal. Adam Kelleher continued his strong performances in goals with some pinpoint kickouts while not conceding any goals throughout. Corner backs Jamie Walsh and Mark Hynes marked their opposing numbers tightly with Jack Lynch controlling the square with a burst forward to midfield on occasion. The half back line of James Larkin, Cathal Barry and James Finn were dogged and provided regular support to the midfield area. The half forward line was tireless with Matthew Kenny winning some excellent ball and distributing selflessly, Garry Quirke scored a goal along with Michéal Walsh, who was a 3 goal assassin in the final. The full forward line had right corner Eoghan Buckley, providing some strong support play, Finn O'Driscoll in the other who terrorised the Catherine's defence with his darting runs, while Shane O'Dowd provided strength and leadership on the square. Sebastian Byrd and Donagh Hurley played a strong part when introduced to ensure the Group Final went the Rovers' boys way on a scoreline of 6-3 to 0-2 in a 30 minute match. All in all a very enjoyable day with the boys now progressing to the Division 2 finals at a date and venue to be confirmed.

OSKARS UPDATE.

Wow! that’s the only word to describe the first weekend of Fundraisers. Last weekend the Fundraising side of the Night At The Oskars really took off. With a Hen party in Bartlemy Hall on Friday night, a Windscreen Wash in the Pitch on Saturday and a Coffee Morning in Rathcormac Hall on Sunday it was just fantastic to see the huge support for all the events. It was the Bridesmaids cast on Friday night, Sister Act on Saturday and Fr. Ted-Speed on Sunday. Thanks to all who supported all these gatherings and all who gave prizes, baking and helped in any way.

REHEARSALS.

Rehearsals for the seven Movies are going on almost nightly. The Old School Rathcormac, Rathcormac and Bartlemy Halls and our own Clubrooms are in constant use. The initial Filming Weekend of April 29thand 30th is fast approaching -the first weekend in May will see tow more days with Filming from 8 am until 8pm. Lads it’s really a huge undertaking. Between committee members, Casts, extras and backroom teams nearly two hundred people are involved and the buzz is only mighty. This past week suitable locations for actual filming – period houses, castles, bedrooms, kitchens, haggards, lofts, cellars, bars, ivy-covered ruins, hillsides, bogs, bridges and rivers have been located. Thanks to all those who have offered props , costumes, catering facilities and hundreds of other bits and pieces. On this Thursday night the Cast of Sister Act are holding a 45 Drive in Rathcormac Hall at 8.15pm. Next Saturday is Aintree Grand National Day and a ‘Grand National Day Buster’ on Saturday 15th April is being promoted by the cast of The Field- if you’re not in you can’t win!

NEW ZEALAND, TIPPERARY, BARTLEMY and PAIRC UI CHAOIMH.

For Liam Carr of Desert, Bartlemy it’s long, long journey his parents have made that will see him lining out in the Red and White of Cork next month in the Primary Game Hurling team. Years ago the great Micheal O Muircheartaigh on RTE Radio was commenting on the varied background of Sean Og O hAilpin and said the immortal words ‘His mother is from Fiji and his father from Fermanagh -neither a hurling stronghold.. ‘ In Liam’s case -whatever about the ancient game of hurling in New Zealand where his mother Meeks hails from, he certainly brings great tradition and heritage from Tipperary with his father Donncha. Liam has been picked on the Cork squad who will play their Tipperary counterparts in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening may the 6th. This contest will be at half time in the Munster Senior Hurling tie between the Rebel and Premier teams. The Senior game has a throw-in time of 7pm. We wish Liam and his comrades a very enjoyable experience with Cork

RACING SUCCESS FOR LOCALS.

Congratulations to Pat Cullotty, David Barry and Johnny Barry on a great win in Co. Clare last Sunday. The Quakerstown Point to Point Race meeting was held with a backdrop of the spectacular Burren. The O Connor Family 6 year old Geldings Maiden race was won by Pat Cullotty’s Blackwater Soldier in impressive style. Pat is a proud Kerryman but with his Ballyduff -born wife Valerie, has been very involved in all aspects of the Bride Rovers GAA in recent years. Another Bride Rovers stalwart David Barry of Mondaniel- a former Rovers hurler, was the winning trainer. The winning jockey was Johnny Barry of Conna -a fifth cousin of David’s, so a great local win, well done to all concerned. Pat is currently practising his lines for his role in the Oskars production of ‘The Field’.

UNDER 16 REBEL OG HURLING LEAGUE.

Bride Rovers had their first Hurling league match on 2nd April in Pairc Na Bride, we were playing our good neighbours St Catherines. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, both teams played well in the first half score Bride Rovers 9 points, St.Catherine’s 1:6 . In the second half Bride Rovers worked really hard and seemed to have the edge with four great goals. The game finished with Bride Rovers 4:15 to St Catherines 1:15. Many thanks to our sponsor Fitzy fast food - our next match is Football at home to Castlelyons 12 April.

EAST CORK JFL.

We played Lisgoold in Lisgoold on Thursday the 6th in the junior football league.At throw in we only had 13 players so Donal Ryan and Richie Cahill togged out and played to make our 15. Having had an average of twenty players for previous games this was disappointing.

Lisgoold started very strongly and had 3 goals in the back of the net in the first 10 minutes, we were always playing catch up after that.

Half time score was 6:5 to 1:1. To be fair the lads put in a great shift in the second half with some great passages of play, resulting in many shots at goal but unfortunately we only got 0:3 points. Certainly we need to work on our shooting in front of goal. Final score 6:8 to 1:4. Our next match is against Castlemartyr in two weeks. If we are to make any impact in the league or more importantly the championship a bigger effort, along with bigger numbers will be required.Team: Sean O Brien, David Barry, Liam Collins, Ronan O Riordan, Conor Hazelwood, Tadgh Lawton, Seamus Ahern, Conleith Ryan, Josh Ahern, Edmond Cashman, DJ Cahill, Adam Walsh, Frank Hogan, Conor Barry, Ciaran O Dowd, Donal Ryan and Richie Cahill.

JIM MCKEEVER RIP.

One of the greatest ever Gaelic footballers, Jim McKeever of Derry, died last weekend. Jim lived a long life-he was 92 when he died. An outstanding midfielder and afterwards an outstanding teacher he was known as ‘Gentleman Jim’ because of his outstanding sportsmanship. He lad Derry to the Oak Leaf County’s first ever All Ireland Final appearance in 1958 where they lost to Dublin. The ‘Footballer Of The Tear ‘ Award was inaugurated in tat same year and the Ballymaguigan Clubman was the first ever winner. He played for Ulster for many yeas in the Railway Cup. Jim was also Chairman of the Derry County Board and represented Derry on the Central Council. Sympathy is extended to the McKeever family on the death of a truly great GAA legend.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for the first Draw in the month of April was held last Tuesday week April 4th with a Jackpot of €6,600. On the night the numbers drawn were 2,4,6 and 21 and there was no winner on the night. The Lucky Dip winners of €30 each were Dave Ryan, Fermoy, Will Twomey c/o Online Lotto, Eleanor Carey Monanig, Bartlemy, Sarah Barry Deerpark Castlelyons, ‘The Wacker’ c/o The Hut, Watergrasshill. If you are joined online and your ticket has expired just click on the link via http://bit.ly/BrideRoversLotto and we would like to wish you the best of luck. Tickets at just €2 each can also be purchased from Club members and in local business outlets. A Yearly Ticket can also be purchased. Please tell friends and relations all over the place to join the Rovers Lotto.

UNDER 18 HURLING.

Seems so strange to call a competition ‘Under 18 Hurling’ as we called that age-group Minor Hurling for decades! Maybe we might yet go back to that again in the future. Anyway last Friday night we travelled to Youghal to take on the homme side in the under 18 League. The referee was Killeagh’s Arthur Murphy who handled the game very well. Our lads got into their stride quickly with some great points and we were well on top throughout the contest. With our defence well on top we held the Seasiders forwards very well. The match produced a great array of fine scores by several players. Overall it was a good workout for our team. The final score was Bride Rovers 1 19 Youghal 1 5.

Panel of players; Ronan, Cillian, Kieran, Luke, Cormac, Deni, Tomás, Cormac, Ben, Cillian, Louie, Frank, Colin, Kamso, Connor, Ciaran, Jack Mannix.

UNDER7’s OFF TO MALLOW.

Our under7s play our first rebel Og Go Games this Saturday morning in Mallow. The lads are flying it at training, improving massively every week. Our two newest members Callum and Philip have been brilliant. If any parents would like to send their son down to try out hurling and football with Bride Rovers GAA, training continues Wednesday 18:45 to 19:45 and Saturday mornings, 10:00 to 11:00. Do come along and join the fun.

UNDER 10 ‘s FOOTBALL

Our U10 boys are away to Kiltha Og in football next Saturday at 11am for our 2nd football match of the year.

UNDER 13 HURLING

The under13s had no game last weekend. Their next game I sin the hurling League, at home on this Saturday April 15th v's Inniscarra at 12:30.

CORK GAA LECTURE;

“The Struggle for Irish Freedom -the Involvement of Cork GAA”.

On tonight Thursday April 13th 7.30pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Gabriel Doherty from the UCC History Department will give a lecture on the War of Independence / Civil War with particular reference to the involvement of Cork GAA in the struggle for freedom. This should be of great interest to GAA members & supporters and the general public as it will describe the impact the conflict had on our clubs' activities at that time. The lecture is open to the public and admission is free.

GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS.

A subsidised Scholarship Scheme to the Gaeltacht is available through GAA Clubs in East Cork. A subsidy of €100 towards the cost of going to stay in the Gaeltacht for under 16’s is available. Details from Mike, our Club Runai at 087 9808973.

SYMPATHY.

Bride Rovers GAA wish to sympathise with the Dixon family of Ballyda, Bartlemy on the death of Edwards mother Nessa nee Cleary who died recently, condolences to Edward, Catherine and family. We also extend our sympathy to the O Neill family of Skehana, Watergrasshill on the death of Eugene. Eugene O Neill is an uncle of Betty Cahill and Donal Buckley and brother of The Hut Bar proprietor, John O Neill. May Eugene rest in peace.

FIXTURES

13/4 JHL Div 1 away v Carrigtwohill 8pm

14/4 U14Hl v Sars away in Kiely Park 6.30

15/4 Under 13HL v Inniscarra, home 11.30

Under 7’s Go Games v Mallow , away

Under 10 Football v Kiltha Og away at 11am.

16/4 SHL v Mallow, home at 11.30

Under 14HL v Cobh, home at 4pm

Under 11 H & F v St Catherines 11.15

17/4 JHL Div 4 v Lisgoold away 7pm

Under 12 Hl v Killeagh at 6.30

Under 16 FL v Ballincollig 2 at 7pm