Club Notes... - 2023-10-28 13:39:00
East Cork Final..
With Storm Babette wreaking terrible flooding and destruction across the County earlier in the week we had all got fingers crossed in the run up to last Sunday. Hosting just our third ever East Cork Junior Hurling Championship Final things looked dodgy right up until Thursday night. In fairness the hundreds of tonnes of sand that has been spread on the pitch over the years has worked wonders. Friday came good and Saturday even better. If anyone said earlier in the week that we could cut the grass on Saturday evening they’d be laughed at -but it happened. In fairness to Denis and John and Martin and Paddy the pitch was in magnificent order on Sunday – so much so that we able to play a Juvenile Final just after the East Cork game. Ger Lane had a 35 strong Match Day Committee in readiness and all worked well. With the rain all week it was too much of a chance to use the Juvenile Field for Parking so extra Stewards were deployed on the approach roads. I fairness everything worked well. I suppose 20 or 30 years ago East Cork Final on the last Sunday in Augus was like All Ireland Final or County Final Day in terms of occasion. Times and things have changed but last Sunday saw a fine crowd present for the Carrignavr v St Itas Final- Carrig seeking to add to their wins of 2005 and 200112 and St Itas seeking their second East Cork crown, having, made the breakthrough in 2019. ‘many hands make Light work’ is an old saying and it proved so true on Sunday with fantastic atmosphere in the grounds from just after the Angelus bell.
With the tricolour waving in the slight breeze, the pitch looking magnificent, music wafting down the Bride Valley from the TVM Amplification the setting was perfect. It was one of those days when we wished we were playing a Senior County final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh but instead we were playing host to the Blue Riband Final of East Cork hurling and great credit to all who helped. Between the match Day Committee and the catering Committee over fifty members were involved -that what the Bride Rovers Club is all about. Est Cork Board Pro produced a beautiful match Programme which was on sale on the day, thanks Kieran for all your help and assistance in the lead-up to the Final. Brian Sweeney from the Erins Own Club got the game under way at 3 o clock. Carrignavar were the dominant side in the first half with great points from all angles. They had a seven point lead at one stage. The Gortroe side were a completely different team in the second half. A scoring burst of 1 2 form Cork Senior player Seamus Harnedy brought St Itas right back into contention. The last twenty minutes was score for score and the margin was down to 3 with fie minutes left. Two pointed frees for St Itas left just a single point between the sides but Carrig held out for a great win. They’d lost the football final to Lisgoold a few weeks back. It was a very emotional scene after the final whistle for delighted Carrig supporters. I thought of Michael Foley, Tommy Sheehan, Eddie Hegarty and Dermot O Driscoll- all Carrig stalwarts who have left us in recent years. Avril Geary from the St Itas Club, Chairperson of the East Cork Board presented the famous Jamesy Kelleher Cup to Carrig team captain Paul Sheehan. Carrignavar will play either harbour Rovers or Newmarket in the Co Semi Final.
1998 TEAM. At half time in the Final members of our 1998 winning Junior team were introduced to the crowd. Hard to imagine it’s all of a quarter of a century since that great day in Cobh. Not all the panel members were around on Sunday for different reasons but those present along with Pat Hoskins, Denis Ahern and Tom Mulcahy were presented with Jubilee Certificates by Avril Geary. Kieran McGann read out each player’s citation as follows;
Donal Ryan (Ryano) Captain; inspirational player, captained u 21 team in 1997, high catches his speciality, went to Australia but luckily he got lonesome there, son Conleith now a Senior Player.
Andrew O Flynn, goalie in 1997 Final loss, in 6 games in 1998 just 5 goals scored against him. Now lives in Co. Clare.
Anthony Cahill, teak tough corner back, from a great GAA family, son DJ and daughter Jennifer both top class Rovers players.
Niall Fitzgerald a ‘thou shalt not pass’ full back, Niall’s father and uncles played with St Catherines -his grandfather Pad was a founder member of Brider Rovers in 1928.
Alan ‘the Butcher’ Broderick one of five sets of brothers on the 1998 team, Alan was captain in 1997.
Pat Barry, an accomplished hurler and footballer who never, ever took prisoners.
Barry Murphy, outstanding centre-back, hurled with Cork and Imokilly , one of the three, fourth-generation Murphy brothers on the side.
Pat Walsh, ‘Walshie’ the blonde bombshell, overcame injury and illness at different times during his career, the bravest of the brave, gave blood, sweat and tears for Bride Rovers, -a Club Legend.
Batt O Connell one of the nine players from the B Grade double of 1993 on the ‘98 team, a player who has put so much back into the Club and Community.
Padraig Murphy, youngest of the three Raheen brothers on the side, he was involved in so many of our winning scores 25 years ago and for many years after.
James Murphy, got a serious hand injury in the 2nd round v Carrignavar -thought he was out for the year but played a huge role that day in Cobh,
Mike Hogan, came on in the second round and scored 3 points against Carrignavar, a great physical presence in the forwards, father of Senior Gaolie Cian.
Terry Broderick captained Bride Rovers to a County Minor league title in 1992, his goal scoring ability was unreal, played Masters Football with Cork this year. Had a hit record in ’98 with ‘American Pie’
Sean Ryan the goal-scorer supreme, always lurking and forever moving, raised brilliant green flags in 98.
Jerome ‘Biscuit’ O Driscoll starred in every game, his first half goal in the East Cork Final brought us right into the game. Now Juvenile Club Chairman.
Batt McHugh was the contributor of some vital scores during the ’98 campaign, nephew of Tom O Riordan East Cork winner in ’68 and ’69 with Bride Rovers.
Richie Cahill, brother of Anthony made some brilliant appearances during the ’98 campaign and for many, many years afterwards in hurling and football.
Martin O Flynn, goalie on the 1993 Junior B grade winning hurling team and again in 1995, a great servant to Bride Rovers over many years
Cormac Howard, a teak tough defender Cormac came on the Junior B team in 1993 in the Final in Lisgoold
John O Dowd .A great dual player, John became the first Rovers player to score in the1999 Intermediate Hurling Championship. With Kerry and Dungourney DNA a great athlete.
Liam Barry, as tough a defender as was ever made, a great player Administrator, manager and Coach, from a family steeped in the Culture and tradition of Bride Rovers.
Dermot ‘Georgie’ Johnson, a brilliant hurler and footballer who lived for Bride Rovers; with Kildare and Tipperary lineage, a great clubman and one of the real characters of the panel.
Mark O Connell, second of the O Connell brothers, still playing Club Hurling, former Juvenile Chairman and father of Ronan
Michael Kearney, another great player over the years with Bride Rovers, spent time in Australia and involved now with the Juvenile teams
Declan O Donovan, great, grandnephew of William O Connell Captain of the Hurling team in 1880’s, a valued member of the 1998 team.
The 1998 MENTORS were four Bride Rovers LEGENDS in 1998 and still are today. -Pat Hoskins, Denis Ahern , Tom Mulcahy and Fr Seanie Barry. Last Sunday was Mission Sunday so our thoughts were with Fr Seanie as we remembered 1998 and also his great wins with Bride Rovers in 1966, 1968, 1969 and in 1975. In conclusion last Sunday was a wonderful occasion for our Club, thanks to each and everyone who helped out.
UNDER 13’ COMPLETE LEAGUE DOUBLE.
There was a mighty atmosphere and a good crowd too in Pairc na Bride for the Rebel Og under 13 hurling League Final. The game was fixed for 5 but understandably the victorious Carrignavar seem lingered on after their great win. It was about ten past five when the contest got going. Light rain was falling but thankfully it cleared off quickly. Another superb victory for this amazing group of boys. We waited weeks for this game to be scheduled but ‘twas worth waiting for. Huge thanks to Denis and his team for the superb job they did to have Pairc na Bride in such excellent condition after the shocking weather we had last week.Ourselves and Cobh warmed up while Carrig Na Bhfear received the Jamesy Kelleher Cup on the pitch. Our lads hardly noticed this as they were fully focused on their own task ahead.
We had drawn with Cobh in our last hurling league game almost 6 weeks ago and had come out on the wrong side of the results on four occasions in football over the past two years. A good start to this match was crucial and that is exactly what we had. We had 1-3 on the board after 5 mins, Liam with 2 points, Fionn L with 1 and Sean H with a great goal. The game settled down a little then while our midfield of Sam and Sean F and halfbacks Nathan, Cody and Cathal O`B were excellent in cutting off every Cobh attack. Cobh managed only 2 points in the rest of the first half with Cormac grabbing a goal for us to leave the halftime score Bride Rovers 2-3 Cobh 0-2. A good lead but the game was by no means over. We knew Cobh would come back at us and they did with 1-1 in the first 5 mins. Ciaran replied with a point. Our goalie Zack and the fullback line of Jack, Danny and Cathal M stepped up and were determined to put a stop to the scoring. Fionn L got a goal and from that point we pushed on with goals from Fionn C(2) and Ciaran, and additional points from Liam, David and Cody. Our subs Sean O`L, Evan, Alex, Daniel and David played an important role too rolling on and off throughout the game. Cobh got a few points toward the end of the game but the backs stopped any chance of a goal that might have left them back into the contest. Final score Bride Rovers 6-8 Cobh 1-8. A huge performance from an exceptionally hard working group of boys. We couldn't be prouder. Our captain Cody accepted the cup from Ml. Mulroy, Rebel Og, and gave a great speech to the large crowd gathered. John Arnold then led us with a rousing rendition of Bride Rovers Abú.
A hugely successful few weeks for the lads after winning the football a month ago.
OSKARS HOTTING UP IN SILVERBRIDGE.
The 2023 Oskars fever is taking hold in Ulster at present. Kevin Roe Productions who we contracted in the Spring are also to the fore with the Club of GAA Uachtarain tofa Jarlath Burns. As Silverbridge’s parish neighbours and rivals Crossmaglen Rangers celebrated yet another Armaagh County Senior Football win on Sunday the Oskars casts were busy with their rehearsing and fund-raising .
WELL DONE GIRLS. Well done to our Senior ladies football team who had a great win last Saturday. They were to play Inch Rovers in the Senior Relegation Final in Mayfield but the match was changed to the Fr O Neills ground at Aghavine. An exciting encounter ended in a draw. Extra time with no half time -because of falling light, was then ordered. After 80 minutes of football our girls came out winners by a point, well done girly -ye have given us some brilliant enjoyment in recent years.
CONGRATS KILLAVULLEN. For the first time since the year 2000 Killavullen are Avondhu Junior A Grade Football Champions. On Sunday last they had a very impressive win over Charleville to bridge a 23 year gap, well done to all concerned.
UNDER 15’s GAME OFF.
Last weekend our under 15’s were to be out in the County v Iban Gaels from west Cork. The game was originally fixed for passage then hanged to Bishoptown’s Astro and then cancelled. No new date has been fixed yet.
LOTTO RESULTS. Lotto Result: 17th of October 2023 the four Numbers drawn last week were 03, 16, 30 & 32 and there was No jackpot Winner
Congrats also to our lucky dip €30 cash winners; Mike Walsh, Mondaniel,
Fr. Gus O'Driscoll, Main St., Catherine Walsh, c/o Laya,, Ritesh Pau, Reading,
and Brendan Walsh, Shanowen. Tickets which are just €2 each can also be purchased from Club members and in local business outlets. An Annual Lotto Ticket would make an ideal present for a friend or a family member at home or abroad. Social Media can spread the message far and wide so please let everyone, everywhere know that Bride Rovers GAA Club is always appreciative of support from all corners of the world. Thank you again for all your ongoing efforts which are deeply appreciated.
COUNTY FINAL REFEREE.
Next Sunday our Club Chairman Pa O Driscoll has a huge appointment in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pa has been one of the top referees in the County Cork with a number of seasons and has reffed many big games. They don’t come bigger than the Cork Premier County Senior Football Championship. Ext Sunday Pa is on the whistle for the Nemo Rangers v Castlehaven Final which should attract a large crowd. Best wishes to Pa and hi team of officials on this very special day.
UNDER 21 HURLING
We are down to play Sars in the under 21 HC at12 noon on this coming Saturday at home in Pairc na Bride
Bride Rovers GAA Club extends deepest sympathy to the Sweeney family Rathcoramc and Murphy family Youghal, the Murphy family Mondaniel and the O Keefe family Moulane and the Howard family Terramount on their recent bereavements.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
Fermoy Print & Design
Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia
