Club Notes... - 2024-07-06 09:48:00
Well the Inter County Season is fast coming to an end with the two Senior All Irelands later this month. The Football championships begin this week in East Cork as the leagues have concluded. Well done to our Junior team and management on a great win in the Division 2 Final last Friday night. Next Sunday up to 40,000 Cork Fans will make the trip to Croke Park as our Rebel Hurlers bid to dethrone five in a row chasing Limerick. Work s progressing well on our second new playing field at Ballybrowney.
EAST CORK AMARENCO JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2 FINAL. Bride Rovers 1 16 Midleton 1 11.
It was on Sunday March the 10th our Junior Hurlers began their East Cork League Division 2 campaign with an away game against Fr O Neills at Aghavine. We won that game by 1 15 to 1 9 and that set us on our way. We lost games to Midleton and Killeagh and defeated Youghal, Watergrasshill, Castlelyons and S. Catherines. Midleton finished on top of the League table with 12 points. We had 10 points -the same as Fr O Neills but because we had beaten the Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge side in the ‘head to head’ we qualified for the League Final against Midleton. So on last Friday night June 28th we headed back to the Holy Ground of Cobh-scene of our 1998 East Cork Final win over Dungourney, to take on the Magpies. We played a lot of players during the league, 37 in total, and our heaviest defeat was the Round 2 away game to Midleton when we lost by 3 16 to 1 14. It might be mid summer but ‘twas more like a March evening on Friday night in Cobh, cold with squally showers. Match Report; We travelled to Cobh on Friday night to play our East Cork Junior Hurling league Division 2 final vs Midleton. The good weather we had all week disserted us and the game was played with a misty drizzle for most of the game. The game started with Midleton playing with the slight breeze but both sides were very even for the 10 minutes and the sides were level after 3 points a piece with all three points coming from Conor. Shaun got the opening goal of the game after he won a great ball and beat the defender before batting the ball past the Midleton keeper. Midleton got the next two points but points from Louis and two from Conor saw us extend our lead to four 1-6 to 0-4. Damien and Conor got further points either side of Midleton scores to leave the score 1-8 to 0-7 at the break. Midleton started the second half well and got a goal within the opening minute. A further point saw the teams level 1-8 a piece. Conor scored two frees either side of a Midleton point and then two long range scores, first from William and then followed almost immediately by Cormac saw us restore a 3 point lead 1-12 to 1-9. Conor continued to be accurate with his shooting and four further points were enough to keep Midleton at bay and see us out winners on a final score of 1-16 to 1-11. It was a great result for the group which have shown great commitment all year and a credit to a great depth in the squad which saw 37 players play a part in this league campaign.
After the game John O Donoghue on behalf of the East Cork Board presented the Mossy O Sullivan Cup to our team captain Shaun Knox who thanked all the players, our mentors, the referee and the Cobh Club and asked for three cheers for Midleton. Preparations now to turn to the East Cork Junior A championship which starts on the August Bank Holiday Monday the 5th when we take on Carrigtwohill. Team & Scorers; R O'Riordan, O Roche, M Liddane, E O'Connor, K Cotter, W Finnegan(0-1), S Ahern, F Collins, Cormac O'Sullivan (0-1), Cillian Barry, L Roche(0-1), D Buckley(0-1), S Knox (1-0), Conor Barry (0-12), Ben Knox, Subs C O'Connor, Cillian O'Sullivan.
LOTTO.
The Weekly Club Lotto Results for Tuesday 25th of June 2024. The Numbers drawn were 1, 2, 12 & 24 and there was No Winner. Congrats and well done to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Pat O’Connor, Corrin, Helen O’Sullivan, Glenbarry, John Collins, c/o Online Lotto, Denis Ahern, Ballynanelagh, Aishling O’Riordan, Kilbrien. 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.
CORK v LIMERICK on SUNDAY.
It’s the Leeside Rebels against the Shannonside Warriors in Croke Park on Sunday. It promises to be a mighty game before a huge crowd -it will probably be the biggest ever attendance for an All Ireland Hurling Semi Final. Back in 2018 when Limerick were just setting out on their victory run over 60,000 were present, there could be close to 80,000 on Sunday with maybe 40 to 50,000 on Saturday for Clare and Kilkenny. One can’t predict the results but there’s one absolute certainty -the games will be better viewing than what was on show last weekend. I remember my first Hurling semi final in Croke Park in August 1975 when Cork were confidently expected to beat Galway. The match was live on TV -no paywall back then, and as many of us still had just Black and White televisions and the Red of Cork and Maroon of Galway were so similar Cork wore black togs that day! Just 27,000 attended and though Cork scored 2 19, (Con Roche (1-5), Jimmy Barry-Murphy (1-1), Seanie O'Leary (0-4), Gerald McCarthy (0-3), Charlie McCarthy (0-2), Eamonn O'Donoghue (0-1), Ray Cummins (0-1), Willie Walsh (0-1), Dinny Allen (0-1).) the Westerners hit 4 15 to win by a point. That was the first All Ireland hurling semi Cork ever lost and the first time Galway beat Cork in the Hurling Championship. Unfortunately for Galway they didn’t replicate that form in the Final against Kilkenny and lost by 2 22 to 2 10. It was revealed after the All-Ireland final that Kilkenny's Liam ‘Chunky’ O Brien had two teeth extracted on the day before the final and had to call a doctor to his home at 1 a.m. on the Sunday morning to stop a gum haemorrhage -he still scored 5 points in that Final! Seeking a historic five in a row this Limerick side are undoubtedly a brilliant team but Cork have beaten them in Munster this year and know what it takes to stop the men in Green. Yes Cork were sluggish against Offaly and Dublin but they never looked like losing either of those matches. Many hurling fans think that if Limerick are to be stopped this year twill be in the semi Final so Sunday presents Cork with an opportunity to reach a final. Imagine we haven’t brought Liam McCarthy ‘home’ since 2005-it’s like a lifetime and for anyone under their mid 20’s they cannot recall such an occasion. We send best wishes to Brian and Eoin Roche and all the Cork panel and management. It will be a brilliant occasion in Coke Park on Sunday and hopefully we’ll get the right result.
WP CLIFFORD CUP.
Tournaments were very much part of GAA Club activity in the past but not so much nowadays. Great to see a 4 team Inter County Tournament last Saturday in Fedamore Co Limerick. William Peter ‘Liam’ Clifford from Fedamore was the 9th president of the GAA and his home Club stage the Tournament in his memory. Clonlara (Clare) beat Ardrahan(Galway) in one semi final. The 2023 London Champions Brothers Pearse lost to Tipp’s Borrisoleigh in the other semi. Ardrahan beat Pearses in the Plate Final and Borrisoleigh won the Cup Final. Pat Heffernan our former trainer is still very involved with Pearses and his son Fionn played with them on Saturday. Amazingly the biggest crowd of supporters on Saturday were those supporting the Exiles -some came over from London and others from around the country to support a great London ‘family’ Club. A great social night was held in nearby Kirby’s on Saturday night.
FOOTBALL SEASON.
The East Cork Junior A and B grade football championships begin this weekend. We face Cloyne in our first Round Robin game on Saturday night. The game is fixed for Dungourney at 8pm. Best of luck lads. Fr O Neills and Midleton are also in our group. These games are fixed for the following weekend.
CORK LADIES.
Best of luck to the Cork Senior Ladies Football team when they take on Waterford in the All Ireland Quarter Final next Saturday. The game is on in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 1.15
UNDER 7 HURLING.
Last Saturday was a big day for our young under 7 hurlers. For months they have been practising and learning the basic skills of the game in a non-competitive manner. On Saturday we travelled t take part in a Monster Blitz hosted by the Carrigtwohill Club. It was very well organised and our teams played in several mini games and gave a great account of themselves in all the contests. This bunch of lads are really enjoying their involvement with Gaelic games, making friends and earning new skills. Any boy born in the year 2017 is welcome to join this group, just come along to the pitch and become a Young Rover.
GRANGE IN CO FINAL.
We extend all our very best wishes to the Grange Junior football team that contest thew County Final in Pairc Ui Rinn on this coming Saturday at 4 o clock. Their opponents Ballinacurra are an East Cork side but s they say ‘blood is thicker than water’ and we have many local links and connections with the Grange Club. The man widely regarded as the ’Father of the Grange Club’ was the late Paul Barry- his father Dan was from Ballyda in Bartlemy. Between athletics and Gaelic football there’s a mighty tradition in Grange and we wish them the very best of luck as they attempt to bring back the County Cup.
CLUB MEETING;
Our next Club Executive meting is on next Monday night July 8th at 8.30pm.
CUL CAMP.
The Bride Rovers Club Cul Camp for this year will run from Monday July 29th until Friday August 2nd. That will be a busy week as at 7.45 on that Friday evening we host Castlelyons an Fermoy in the County Senior A hurling Championship. Arrangements for the running of the Cul Camp are well advanced. If you would like to give a hand, morning or evening, with Stewarding and car Parking just contact any Club Officer.
PITCH DEVELOPMENT.
The woeful weather in March and April meant our plans for progressing the development of or second pitch in Ballybrowney had to be postponed. However Hourihans, our contractors, were on site in recent weeks doing ancillary work in preparation for the actual job of laying out the next playing pitch. Thankfully the main work swung into action last week with the ground levelling and actual laying out of the pitch. It is now planned the full development will progress over the next three to four weeks. Then in August or early September the seeding will go ahead. It’s wonderful to see the progress being made. The grass is being cut on Pitch No 1 and a fine sward is developing
‘THE LIGHT OF OTHEER DAYS’ TIPP TOUR to AMERICA 1926
. As All Ireland champions the Tipperary hurlers went on a tour to America in 1926 on the German ship Bremen which sailed from Cobh. Tom Kenny from Portroe kept a Diary during the trip which was published as a book two years later. His account of the tour captures some of the flavour of the experience: Kenny wrote of how the players, who had overcome an initial bout of sea sickness, sang and danced and tried to inveigle some female German passengers to join them in a waltz and a two-step. ‘Saturday, May 15th: Not much sleep last night when Nealon and Kennedy called on their rounds with notebook and pencil, asking if we jazzed with the Germans thereby suspending ourselves from the G.A.A (Only Irish dances were allowed under GAA Rules!)., and if we took the meat sandwiches, thereby excommunicating ourselves from the Catholic Church.’ - eating meat on a Friday was not allowed back then!
FIXTURES
Fri July 5th fe 14 FL v Cobh home 7pm. Sat July 6th JAFC v Cloyne Dungourney 8pm. Fw 13 FL v Whitechurch away at 1 o clock. Monday July 8th fe 16 hurling v St Finbarrs, away at 7pm, Fe 12 FL v Killavullen away, Club Executive meeting at 8.30pm. Wed July 10th fe 15 F Youghal home at 7.30pm
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia
EAST CORK AMARENCO JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2 FINAL. Bride Rovers 1 16 Midleton 1 11.
It was on Sunday March the 10th our Junior Hurlers began their East Cork League Division 2 campaign with an away game against Fr O Neills at Aghavine. We won that game by 1 15 to 1 9 and that set us on our way. We lost games to Midleton and Killeagh and defeated Youghal, Watergrasshill, Castlelyons and S. Catherines. Midleton finished on top of the League table with 12 points. We had 10 points -the same as Fr O Neills but because we had beaten the Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge side in the ‘head to head’ we qualified for the League Final against Midleton. So on last Friday night June 28th we headed back to the Holy Ground of Cobh-scene of our 1998 East Cork Final win over Dungourney, to take on the Magpies. We played a lot of players during the league, 37 in total, and our heaviest defeat was the Round 2 away game to Midleton when we lost by 3 16 to 1 14. It might be mid summer but ‘twas more like a March evening on Friday night in Cobh, cold with squally showers. Match Report; We travelled to Cobh on Friday night to play our East Cork Junior Hurling league Division 2 final vs Midleton. The good weather we had all week disserted us and the game was played with a misty drizzle for most of the game. The game started with Midleton playing with the slight breeze but both sides were very even for the 10 minutes and the sides were level after 3 points a piece with all three points coming from Conor. Shaun got the opening goal of the game after he won a great ball and beat the defender before batting the ball past the Midleton keeper. Midleton got the next two points but points from Louis and two from Conor saw us extend our lead to four 1-6 to 0-4. Damien and Conor got further points either side of Midleton scores to leave the score 1-8 to 0-7 at the break. Midleton started the second half well and got a goal within the opening minute. A further point saw the teams level 1-8 a piece. Conor scored two frees either side of a Midleton point and then two long range scores, first from William and then followed almost immediately by Cormac saw us restore a 3 point lead 1-12 to 1-9. Conor continued to be accurate with his shooting and four further points were enough to keep Midleton at bay and see us out winners on a final score of 1-16 to 1-11. It was a great result for the group which have shown great commitment all year and a credit to a great depth in the squad which saw 37 players play a part in this league campaign.
After the game John O Donoghue on behalf of the East Cork Board presented the Mossy O Sullivan Cup to our team captain Shaun Knox who thanked all the players, our mentors, the referee and the Cobh Club and asked for three cheers for Midleton. Preparations now to turn to the East Cork Junior A championship which starts on the August Bank Holiday Monday the 5th when we take on Carrigtwohill. Team & Scorers; R O'Riordan, O Roche, M Liddane, E O'Connor, K Cotter, W Finnegan(0-1), S Ahern, F Collins, Cormac O'Sullivan (0-1), Cillian Barry, L Roche(0-1), D Buckley(0-1), S Knox (1-0), Conor Barry (0-12), Ben Knox, Subs C O'Connor, Cillian O'Sullivan.LOTTO.
The Weekly Club Lotto Results for Tuesday 25th of June 2024. The Numbers drawn were 1, 2, 12 & 24 and there was No Winner. Congrats and well done to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Pat O’Connor, Corrin, Helen O’Sullivan, Glenbarry, John Collins, c/o Online Lotto, Denis Ahern, Ballynanelagh, Aishling O’Riordan, Kilbrien. 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.
CORK v LIMERICK on SUNDAY.
It’s the Leeside Rebels against the Shannonside Warriors in Croke Park on Sunday. It promises to be a mighty game before a huge crowd -it will probably be the biggest ever attendance for an All Ireland Hurling Semi Final. Back in 2018 when Limerick were just setting out on their victory run over 60,000 were present, there could be close to 80,000 on Sunday with maybe 40 to 50,000 on Saturday for Clare and Kilkenny. One can’t predict the results but there’s one absolute certainty -the games will be better viewing than what was on show last weekend. I remember my first Hurling semi final in Croke Park in August 1975 when Cork were confidently expected to beat Galway. The match was live on TV -no paywall back then, and as many of us still had just Black and White televisions and the Red of Cork and Maroon of Galway were so similar Cork wore black togs that day! Just 27,000 attended and though Cork scored 2 19, (Con Roche (1-5), Jimmy Barry-Murphy (1-1), Seanie O'Leary (0-4), Gerald McCarthy (0-3), Charlie McCarthy (0-2), Eamonn O'Donoghue (0-1), Ray Cummins (0-1), Willie Walsh (0-1), Dinny Allen (0-1).) the Westerners hit 4 15 to win by a point. That was the first All Ireland hurling semi Cork ever lost and the first time Galway beat Cork in the Hurling Championship. Unfortunately for Galway they didn’t replicate that form in the Final against Kilkenny and lost by 2 22 to 2 10. It was revealed after the All-Ireland final that Kilkenny's Liam ‘Chunky’ O Brien had two teeth extracted on the day before the final and had to call a doctor to his home at 1 a.m. on the Sunday morning to stop a gum haemorrhage -he still scored 5 points in that Final! Seeking a historic five in a row this Limerick side are undoubtedly a brilliant team but Cork have beaten them in Munster this year and know what it takes to stop the men in Green. Yes Cork were sluggish against Offaly and Dublin but they never looked like losing either of those matches. Many hurling fans think that if Limerick are to be stopped this year twill be in the semi Final so Sunday presents Cork with an opportunity to reach a final. Imagine we haven’t brought Liam McCarthy ‘home’ since 2005-it’s like a lifetime and for anyone under their mid 20’s they cannot recall such an occasion. We send best wishes to Brian and Eoin Roche and all the Cork panel and management. It will be a brilliant occasion in Coke Park on Sunday and hopefully we’ll get the right result.
WP CLIFFORD CUP.
Tournaments were very much part of GAA Club activity in the past but not so much nowadays. Great to see a 4 team Inter County Tournament last Saturday in Fedamore Co Limerick. William Peter ‘Liam’ Clifford from Fedamore was the 9th president of the GAA and his home Club stage the Tournament in his memory. Clonlara (Clare) beat Ardrahan(Galway) in one semi final. The 2023 London Champions Brothers Pearse lost to Tipp’s Borrisoleigh in the other semi. Ardrahan beat Pearses in the Plate Final and Borrisoleigh won the Cup Final. Pat Heffernan our former trainer is still very involved with Pearses and his son Fionn played with them on Saturday. Amazingly the biggest crowd of supporters on Saturday were those supporting the Exiles -some came over from London and others from around the country to support a great London ‘family’ Club. A great social night was held in nearby Kirby’s on Saturday night.
FOOTBALL SEASON.
The East Cork Junior A and B grade football championships begin this weekend. We face Cloyne in our first Round Robin game on Saturday night. The game is fixed for Dungourney at 8pm. Best of luck lads. Fr O Neills and Midleton are also in our group. These games are fixed for the following weekend.
CORK LADIES.
Best of luck to the Cork Senior Ladies Football team when they take on Waterford in the All Ireland Quarter Final next Saturday. The game is on in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 1.15
UNDER 7 HURLING.
Last Saturday was a big day for our young under 7 hurlers. For months they have been practising and learning the basic skills of the game in a non-competitive manner. On Saturday we travelled t take part in a Monster Blitz hosted by the Carrigtwohill Club. It was very well organised and our teams played in several mini games and gave a great account of themselves in all the contests. This bunch of lads are really enjoying their involvement with Gaelic games, making friends and earning new skills. Any boy born in the year 2017 is welcome to join this group, just come along to the pitch and become a Young Rover.
GRANGE IN CO FINAL.
We extend all our very best wishes to the Grange Junior football team that contest thew County Final in Pairc Ui Rinn on this coming Saturday at 4 o clock. Their opponents Ballinacurra are an East Cork side but s they say ‘blood is thicker than water’ and we have many local links and connections with the Grange Club. The man widely regarded as the ’Father of the Grange Club’ was the late Paul Barry- his father Dan was from Ballyda in Bartlemy. Between athletics and Gaelic football there’s a mighty tradition in Grange and we wish them the very best of luck as they attempt to bring back the County Cup.
CLUB MEETING;
Our next Club Executive meting is on next Monday night July 8th at 8.30pm.
CUL CAMP.
The Bride Rovers Club Cul Camp for this year will run from Monday July 29th until Friday August 2nd. That will be a busy week as at 7.45 on that Friday evening we host Castlelyons an Fermoy in the County Senior A hurling Championship. Arrangements for the running of the Cul Camp are well advanced. If you would like to give a hand, morning or evening, with Stewarding and car Parking just contact any Club Officer.
PITCH DEVELOPMENT.
The woeful weather in March and April meant our plans for progressing the development of or second pitch in Ballybrowney had to be postponed. However Hourihans, our contractors, were on site in recent weeks doing ancillary work in preparation for the actual job of laying out the next playing pitch. Thankfully the main work swung into action last week with the ground levelling and actual laying out of the pitch. It is now planned the full development will progress over the next three to four weeks. Then in August or early September the seeding will go ahead. It’s wonderful to see the progress being made. The grass is being cut on Pitch No 1 and a fine sward is developing
‘THE LIGHT OF OTHEER DAYS’ TIPP TOUR to AMERICA 1926
. As All Ireland champions the Tipperary hurlers went on a tour to America in 1926 on the German ship Bremen which sailed from Cobh. Tom Kenny from Portroe kept a Diary during the trip which was published as a book two years later. His account of the tour captures some of the flavour of the experience: Kenny wrote of how the players, who had overcome an initial bout of sea sickness, sang and danced and tried to inveigle some female German passengers to join them in a waltz and a two-step. ‘Saturday, May 15th: Not much sleep last night when Nealon and Kennedy called on their rounds with notebook and pencil, asking if we jazzed with the Germans thereby suspending ourselves from the G.A.A (Only Irish dances were allowed under GAA Rules!)., and if we took the meat sandwiches, thereby excommunicating ourselves from the Catholic Church.’ - eating meat on a Friday was not allowed back then!
FIXTURES
Fri July 5th fe 14 FL v Cobh home 7pm. Sat July 6th JAFC v Cloyne Dungourney 8pm. Fw 13 FL v Whitechurch away at 1 o clock. Monday July 8th fe 16 hurling v St Finbarrs, away at 7pm, Fe 12 FL v Killavullen away, Club Executive meeting at 8.30pm. Wed July 10th fe 15 F Youghal home at 7.30pm
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia
