Club Notes... - 2023-11-11 06:03:00
Club AGM on Monday Week..
The Bride Rovers GAA Club Annual general Meeting will be held on Monday week November the 20th in the Clubrooms at 8pm. All members and intending members are welcome to attend. Forms for Nominating Officers and submitting motions will be sent to all members. The Club has grown and grown in recent years in terms of the number of teams and players. Thankfully we have also seen a huge increase in involvement of mentors, fundraisers, coaches and helpers in so many other ways. The Club is always welcoming new people to get involved. Don’t feel as if you are going to be overburdened -many hands make light work, so if you can give a n hour a week or more if you wish we will be delighted. The Bride Rover Club membership encompasses people from all over the country and from further afield around the world. There’s a place for everyone in the GAA and that’s very much our ethos in Bride Rovers. So do please come along on Monday week.
UNDER 15 HURLERS LOSE OUT IN CO. SEMI.
Bride Rovers Uunder15s hurling championship campaign for 2023 came to an end last Saturday afternoon in the Division 1 County Semi-final against Ibane Gaels – a combination of Argideen Rangers and Barryroe. The match was played in Bishopstown 4G pitch with strong Rovers support in attendance. The West Cork combination got the better start of the two teams and raced into a 5 points to 1 lead. It wasn't until twenty minutes into the match that the Rovers team started to play the hurling that we know they can play and managed to bring the scoreline back to a tight margin at halftime. The second half started with a tough tussle between the two teams with all the Rovers players giving their all to wrest control of the match from Ibane Gaels. Unfortunately it wasn't to be and Ibane Gaels ultimately won by 4-13 to 1-13 and now face Watergrasshill in the final. The game and defeat shouldn't detract from what was an excellent season for the boys who learned, developed and improved throughout and should be proud to finish their hurling campaign as Division 1 North champions. Next up is the Football Shield final on Saturday 18th Nov against St Colmcilles (Carrignavar/Whitechurch) which will be the final game of the season for the boys. The Under15 Panel last Saturday was: Calum Somers, Darragh O'Farrell, Jamie Walsh, Mark Hynes, Éanna Lyons, Cathal Barry, James Finn, Denis Fitzgerald, Garry Quirke, Matthew Kenny, Shane O'Dowd, Michéal Walsh, Adam Kelleher, Jack Lynch, Con McCormack, Eoghan Buckley, James Larkin, Sebastian Byrd & Robert Sweeney (also Finn O'Driscoll & Donagh Hurley who were unavailable on the day).
JERARD KENNY MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT.
Last Saturday we staged the Jerard Kenny memorial Tournament for under 11 hurling. Jerard was a member of our County winning under 12 team in the year 2000 and died tragically in 2001. So we had the wonderful Frank from Ballyphehane Pipe Band lead the teams , Bride Rovers (two teams) , Fermoy , Mallow and Carrigtwohill (two teams) around the pitch . Ger’s parents Mick and Margaret were in attendance on the day and were delighted to see the performances of all teams . This year we held a shield tournament and a new plate tournament.
Carrig and Mallow made the shield final where Mallow just took the win by a point . In the plate we had Bride Rovers(2) Fermoy . Again another very close game with Fermoy getting the win . Mick Kenny, originally a Fermoy man himself was in great spirits to present both the shield and plate . Thanks to all the team, referees and officials who helped out on the day.
UNDER 21 HURLING.
Killeagh meet Sarsfields in Killeagh on Sunday next. We’ve already beaten Sars so if Killeagh do the same it will come down to the final Group game between ourselves and Killeagh to determine the Group winners. If Sars win then it’s wide open again.
UNDER 13’s VISIT BALLYHEA.
Our U13 hurlers 's travelled to Jack Russell’s home club of Ballyhea on Saturday for the Mikey O'Callaghan memorial Blitz. This was our last playing fixture of a long but very successful year. A total of 8 teams were entered with 2 groups of 4, with a cup and plate competition. We were in a group with St Finbarrs, Cloughduv and Clare u13 champions Clooney Quin. Our first game was against St Finbarrs. Conditions were extremely testing but after a slow start the lads fought back for a draw in a very physical game. Next up was Cloughduv, this game got away from us with 2 early goals for Cloughduv. Our final game was against the Clare champions Clooney Quin. The lads put in a huge performance in a very low scoring game. It finished in a draw which unfortunately wasn't enough to qualify for either final. We stopped off in McDonalds in Mallow on the way home.
2023 has been a great year for this group. Winning the hurling and football leagues. A well-earned rest now and looking forward to 2024. Everywhere one goes around the parish, especially at weekends it’s just marvellous to see so many young boys and girls with the hurley in hand- keep it up lads, practise makes perfect. Thanks to all the players and parents who helped to make 2023 a great year.
WELL DONE ST CATHERINES.
A Munster semi final against Ballinahinch of Tipperary is the reward for St Catherine’s after their win last Saturday. Talking to some locals who travelled to the famed Fraher Field in Dungarvan the reported that Catherines looked very impressive. The Ballinahinch Club is based in the parish of Killoscully and Ballinahinch in the north-west of County Tipperary. They won the Tipp Intermediate Hurling championship in 2016 and again in 2017 and competed at Senior level before being relegated. This Cork v Tipp game is scheduled for the weekend after next. For the Denis Walsh trained St Catherines the opportunity to win Munster and All Ireland honours is a huge incentive.
NEW DUBLIN CEO WITH LOCAL LINKS.
At the end of October the CEO of the Dublin GAA Board, John Costelloe, stepped down after a wonderful career as an administrator with Dublin. The achievements of the Dublin team in his time will never be replicated. A new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and took ou duty last week. The new man in the top job has strong local links. Finbarr O Mahony from the St Patricks’s GAA Club in Palmerstown had been serving as County Treasurer and now takes the top job in Dublin GAA. His mother Caroline Cronin is from Rathcormac, a daughter of Guard Sean Cronin who served in Rathcormac in the 1950’s -his father was a Killavullen native. All in Bride Rovers wish Finbarr the very best in his new position.
UNDER16 HURLING.
It might seem a strange time to be starting a Hurling Championship but that’s the way it is for our under 16’s. In Division 1 of the Rebel Og County championship on Sunday next 12th November we are away to Cobh at 3pm. This is a straight ‘knock out’ championship. Best of luck lads.
GOOD LUCK COLMANS.
Best of luck to the Senior Hurlers of St Colman’s College, Fermoy. They take on Tulla CBS of Clare in a vital ‘winner takes all’ Round 3 Harty Cup game next Wednesday November 15th.
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
The Lotto Result for the Halloween Draw on Tuesday 31st of October 2023 – the 4 Numbers drawn were 11, 13, 15 & 20 and there was No jackpot Winner. Congrats and well done to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Nicola Barry, Knocknaboola, Greg Ahern, Bartlemy, Owen Murphy, Houston Texas, John Redmond, Fermoy, Donal K Barry, Rathcormac. So from Bartlemy to Fermoy, Rathcormac to Houston the great support for our weekly Lotto continues, thanks to everyone. The Lotto started on a weekly basis in February 1996 so for the last 27 years it has provided a steady source of vital income for the Club. 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.
BARTLEMY IN SCIATH NA SCOIL FINAL.
On Wednesday next November 15th the football team from Bishop O Brien NS Bartlemy will be taking part in the County Sciath na Scoil Final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Their opponents are unbeaten Ballynoe NS and the Final is timed for 1 o clock. Best of luck to all involved and win lose or draw involvement in the Sciath na Scoil will only improve the skills of our players. The team will have big support from the other School students.
PITCH DEVELOPMENT
Well the grass is growing very well on the first of our planned three new pitches at Ballybrowney. The seeds were put in during September and have taken well. Last week the field got it’s first ‘post seeding feed ’to help grass growth and root strength. The plan is that Tenders will shortly be sought for the development of Field No 2. By midsummer of 2024, all going well, Pitch No 1 should be available for use. These are exciting and busy times for all the Club Executive and Development sub-committee members -thanks to all involved.
OSKARS MEMORIES.
If you wish to order an Oskars Memory Stick they can still be got and we should have extra if needed before Christmas.
25 YEARS AGO.
A quarter of a century ago we were up to ninety getting ready for the 1998 Cork County Junior Hurling Final against Freemount. Sunday November was the date and Pairc Ui Chaoimh the venue. The parish was awash with Green, White and Gold colours as thought of a first County Final for Bride Rovers since 1932 became a reality. Where have the years gone? It was a day never to be forgotten as a super team did us proud.
ONLINE CHRISTMAS CLUB SHOPPING
Members, players, parents and supporters who wish to order Club Gear for Christmas can do so online. Details from any Club Officer.
CAR BOOT SALE.
Thanks to all who helped with another very good Car Boot Sale on Sunday last when the weather looked kindly on Rathcormac.
NEW BOOK.
Well done and congratulations to Maurice (Mossy) Canning on his new publication. A gifted poet and wordsmith Mossy has a unique way with words and expressing feelings. His latest book of poetry ‘The New Line’ is now available for purchase locally. Mossy has already published ‘My Poems For You’, ‘Where The Purple Heather Grows’ and ‘On Nature’s Trail’. The author takes his inspiration from the wonder of nature and from the people who lived close to it. It’s a superb read, well done Mossy.
JAMES MURPHY RIP
.All in Bride Rovers express our deepest sympathy to the family of James Murphy, Main St Castlelyons. James comes from a family deeply rooted in Castlelyons, Bartlemy and Rathcormac. An outstanding hurler in his youth James was goalie on the first Castlelyons team to win the East Cork JAHC in 1955. He served for many years in the Gadra Siochana. Predeceased by his wife Kathleen, nee Martin, James is survived by his daughters Marina Delea and Lisa Hallihan and their families and his brother Barry and sister Sr Mona. James is uncle of our clubman Ger Lane. May James rest in peace.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
Fermoy Print & Design
Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia
