Club Notes... - 2023-08-05 09:30:00
Club Season Swings into Action..
Well the All Irelands are all over for another year and Cork ‘natives’ Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire are still far from the banks of own lovely Lee. Hopefully their exile in Limerick and Dublin wont last too long and we’ll soon welcome them home once more. So the Split Season Model has closed one door and now the Club Championship Season is with us and it’s really all go from now on -on all fronts. Football Championships in Cork started last weekend. As we move into early August we see a total of thirty Championship Hurling games in Cork this weekend across all the Grades from Senior down to Premier Junior. From a Bride Rovers point of view it’s one of those mouth-watering, crazy, hectic and wonderful weeks when we celebrate all that’s wonderful in our great game of Hurling. We play Senior and Junior Championship and if that wasn’t enough we host two County Games, one in Senior Hurling and the other in the Intermediate grade.
HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP.
Our Senior and Junior A hurling teams play their first Round Robin series match in the 2023 competitions over this bank Holiday weekend. On Friday evening we travel to the Sarsfields ground in Riverstown to take on Na Piarsaigh in the Senior Hurling Championship. Then on the Bank Holiday Monday afternoon we take on Sarsfields in Watergrasshill in the East Cork Junior A Grade Hurling. Injuries to several players sustained in the last month are a major cause of concern and will determine the team lineouts for both games. Like ourselves Na Piarsaigh had a ‘middling’ SH League campaign, winning 4, losing 4 and drawing one game. It’s five years since we last clashed with the Northside team in the Champiopnship. That was on Sunday August the 12th in 2018. We had lost our opening game to Erins Own by 4 21 to 2 13 and Bandon defeated the Piarsaighs by 2 15 to 0 15. When we met in Midleton goals, early on, from Shane O Connor and before half time by Galway native Einne O hEocaidh helped us to a 2 24 to 0 17 victory. Our lineout that day was J. O Driscoll, E, Roche, B. Walsh, F. Collins, J.Pratt, B. Murphy, S. Walsh, S. O Connor vc, B. Johnson c, M.Collins, C.O Connor, D.Dooley, J.Mannix, E O hEochaidh, B. Roche, S. Kearney, C. Ryan. After that great win we lost to Newtownshandrum in an era where Round Robin simply meant a very fat little bird! Na Piarsaighs were relegated from Premier Senior last year so will be trying to make a big impression this year. Pat Walsh and his management team have put in a huge amount of work this year. Best of luck lads, go for it. We also send the very best wishes to our Junior A grade team for Monday. Having won the B grade championship last year we are back in the East Cork top tier Junior championship for the first time in a few years. We had an indifferent league -some good wins and losing a few games we should have won. As a second team Aiden Dorgan & co wont know who they’ll have available until after Friday’s game but they’ll put up a good performance and we wish them all the best.
BUSY WEEKEND WITH FIXTURES.
As well as our own Club Championship games Pairc na Bride hosts two major fixtures this weekend. On Saturday evening Fr O Neills play their first ever Premier Senior Hurling Championship game. They take on Charleville at 7.30pm. This game will attract a huge crowd. All Club Members available please be at the pitch by 6 o clock. Then on Sunday afternoon it’s the All Reds battle as Kilworth meet the Pat Heffernan trained Watergrasshill in the PIHC. In reality it’s nearly a local derby and should also see a bumper attendance. Originally scheduled for 4 0 clock the game is now at 2 to facilitate people wanting to watch Cork playing in the Camogie Final. Reporting time for Stewards is 12.30. We will have Club Lotto Tickets on sale for both games.
ALL IRELAND.
‘The Jacks are back, the Jacks are back, let Hill 16 go crazy cause Dublin town has never seen the likes of Heffos Army’ -lines from the Dublin 1974 team when Kevin Heffernan, Jimmy Keaveney, & Co came ‘in from the cold’ to win the All Ireland. Since then they’ve been a major footballing force. Last Sunday Cluxton, Fitzsimons and McCarthy collected their ninth all Ireland medal. Maybe some of the Limerick hurlers will win nine but ‘tis hard to see nine ever being won again in Gaelic football.
CAMOGIE FINAL.
It’a a unique All Munster All Ireland camogie Final on Sunday next when Waterford take on Cork. The Decies are seeking their first ever Senior Titles so it should be a cracker of a game. Best of luck to the Rebelettes. Hard luck to Katie & Co of the Cork ladies football team that lost to Dublin in Thurles on Saturday last.
UNDER 13’s IN THE CITY.
Our under13s were away to St Vincents on Friday evening in the football league. With just 15 players everyone put in a huge effort over the hour. In very blustery conditions it was hard to know who the wind was favouring. The first half was very even with Vincents up a few points at half time. However Fionn Collins thundered into the game with four goals in the second half, with some excellent passes into him from the lads out the field. Full-time score Bride Rovers 6-4 St Vincents 3-8. Team: Cathal M, Jack, Cathal O'B, Zack, Sam, Danny, Alex, Cody, Sean O 'L, Liam, Fionn C, Sean H, Daniel, Fionn L and David.
It’s back to hurling this week at home in Pynes to Glen Rovers on Thursday August 3rd. at 7pm
UNDER 11’s ON THE MOVE.
Though the Cul camp is still running today Thursday August 3rd will be a busy day for our under 11’s. They were in Fitzgerald Stadium last week and now it’s Pairc Ui Chaoimh to play 3 games and get a Stadium Tour. First game is at 3 o clock. Next week they continue the Tour of Munster with s Trip to Tip and games in Semple Stadium, Thurles. These are huge days out for the young players -well done to all their mentors and parents for creating these special memories.
UNDER 15’s DEFEAT ST. MARKS.
The under15s continued their good run of form with a win against St Marks in the Rebel Og Division 1 hurling championship on Monday last. Both teams went into the match undefeated so it was effectively a top of the table clash. The Rovers lads powered into the game and took an early lead which they held until the end. Four goals were scored in the first half, by four different forwards, along with 12 points to put the boys in a commanding half time lead. They added a goal and 10 points, including 13 points in total from Denis Fitzgerald, to cap a strong display by the green, white and gold. Next up the boys play Lisgoold in football on Tuesday 1st August. Final Score: Bride Rovers 5-22 St Marks 2-6. Panel: Calum Somers, Eoghan Buckley, Cathal Barry, Donagh Hurley, James Finn, Jamie Walsh, Éanna Lyons, Jack Lynch, Denis Fitzgerald, Con McCormack, Garry Quirke, James Larkin, Finn O’Driscoll, Sebastian Byrd, Adam Kelleher, Evan Quaine, Danny Walsh.
25 YEARS AGO.
In August of 1998 we were making progress in the East Cork Junior Hurling Championship. After an easy first round win over Cloyne we found it tough going against Carrignavar in Riverstown in the second round. We trailed 1 4 to 0 4 in the first half after a nervy display. Limerick-like we tore into it in the second half , holding Carrig to just a single point. Late goals from Richie Cahill and Terry Broderick were the ‘icing on the cake’ in a 2 16 to 1 5victory. This win set up a semi final game with Watergrasshill.
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
The Lotto Results for Tuesday 25th of July 2023 were as follows; Numbers drawn were 3, 17, 25 & 28 there was No Winner. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Joan Dorgan, Glenagoul, Tommy Kearney, Coolnakilla, Ann Lynch, c/o Online Lotto, Geraldine Tobin, c/o Online Lotto, Nora O’Donnell, c/o Spar. The Lotto jackpot for Tuesday August the 1st was a massive €10,000. Tickets cost just €2 each and can be bought in local businesses, from Club members and online. Lotto Tickets are also on Sale on Saturday mornings in the pitch and when we are hosting County and East Cork games and at the monthly Car Boot sales. The Bride Rovers Club are always looking for extra Lotto sellers so if you would like to take a book of ten tickets each week just contact any Club Officer.
FUNDRAISING; Metal and old batteries will still be collected by Club Members. Ring 087 9538077 to make arrangements. Another collection is planned for mid August.
WELL DONE JACK. Well done to Jack Collins who rode his first race ‘Inside the Rails’ on Monday evening last at the Galway Festival Meeting. Riding his grandfather, Pat Pyne’s, Lios Carrigeen, trained by Garrett Ahern, Jack wasn’t in the Winners Enclosure on this occasion . We wish him all the best in the future.
CUL CAMP.
Pairc na Bride has been a hive of hurling and football activity all this week. 200 boys and girls have been learning the skills of Gaelic games and , most importantly, having great fun. It’s been a huge undertaking to organise the Cul Camp but Damien, Paddy, Jerome and their amazing team of volunteers have been superb. The Cul Camp is massive as it gives young players a chance to play hurling and football, improve their skill levels in a non-competitive manner and make new friends. A huge ‘Thank You’ to each and every person who is helping out this week. Special thanks to all the parents for your cooperation and assistance.
KICKING CHAMPIONS.
Well done to Finn O Driscoll, Dylan Keating and Mícháel Walsh on winning the u14 Rebel Og East football kicking skills competition sponsored by Co-op superstores. This competition had three players from each Club competing at the very basic skill of accurately kicking the football. Well done lads on a great win.
CAR BOOT SALE.
Sunday week August 13th is Car Boot Sale day so any volunteers for even an hour or two please contact Billy, Richie, Mossy or Tom.
SYMPATHY.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Roger Kinahan and his wife Rose and family on the tragic death of Alan last week. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
FIXTURES Friday night SHC v Na Piarsaigh in Riverstown 8pm
Sat SHC Fr O Neills Charleville in Pairc na Bride at 7.30pm
Sunday Watergrasshill v Kilworth PIHC at 2 in Pairc na Bride
Monday JAHV Bride Rovers v Sars in Watergrasshill.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
Fermoy Print & Design
Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia
