Club Notes... - 2024-10-25 13:41:00
Jer Kenny Shield Winners.
The annual Jerard Kenny Memorial Hurling Tournament was held last Saturda with under 11 teams from Aghada, Kiltha Óg, and Watergrasshill joining us. These are teams we've had close contests with over the past few years. Fortunately, the rain stayed away, though there was a refreshing breeze, and the pitches were in top condition as always.
The semi-final draw saw us face Aghada, while Watergrasshill played Kiltha Óg. Before the games began, the teams paraded around the pitch, led by a piper, and stood for Amhrán na bhFiann, which created a fantastic atmosphere. Our club referees, Mike Carey and James Birmingham, were ready in their official gear to throw in the ball. Both semi-finals were thrilling, with Watergrasshill edging past Kiltha Óg, and Bride Rovers securing a hard-fought victory over Aghada. Our boys had a strong first half with the wind in their favour and led at halftime, but Aghada came back fiercely after the break, requiring a tremendous effort from our lads to see the victory home.
The results set up an exciting Jerard Kenny final between us and Watergrasshill, while Aghada and Kiltha Óg faced off in the Plate final, with Aghada coming out on top after another competitive match. In the final, our lads were fired up and played their best hurling of the season in the first half, putting some fantastic scores on the board to lead at the break. Watergrasshill came out strong in the second half, but our team's work rate and determination were exceptional, and we emerged as winners. The scenes of celebration were wonderful, with players and management alike thrilled with the performance.
We were honoured to have the Kenny family present the trophy to our captain Harry Fitzpatrick and vice-captain Dave Fitzpatrick. Harry and Dave’s mother, Mary, was a first cousin of Jerard, and their father, Dave, is one of our coaches. We owe a huge thanks to the Kenny family for their ongoing support, to the Watergrasshill, Aghada, and Kiltha Óg clubs for accepting our invitation, to our referees Mike and James, and to Jerome, our chairman, for coordinating everything. Thanks also to everyone who helped with refreshments in the Club Room, the coaches, and, most of all, the players—we’re exceptionally proud of them all.
Our stars on the day were: Darragh Feeney, Eoin Burke, Hugh Clerkin, Theo Skillington, Tiarnan Lyons, Oisin Barry Sheehan, Dara Murphy, Kayden Freeman, Liam Harrington, Killian Donegan, Liam Ryan, Robbie Scanlon, Jack Roddis, Dave Fitzpatrick, Harry Fitzpatrick, Aaron Murphy, Fionn Purcell, John Keating, Joey Allen.
Jerard Kenny was a lovely young boy and a grand hurler hurler and was on our first ever County winning under 12 team back in the year 2000. Above in Mayfield we beat Tacton by 5 7 to 2 1. Garry Murphy and Stephen Quinn were on the half forward line with Jerard in that game, Michael Collins was the team Captain. Jerard died in a tragic accident in September 2001. His parents Mike and Margaret presented a perpetual Shield in commemoration of Jerard to the Bride Rovers Juvenile Club. The Kennys have been great supporters of the Club down the years.
COUNTY FINAL FOR UNDER 16’s.The Under 16 season started back in the third week of January with the first league match scheduled for February. It seems like an age away at this stage but ten months later the U16 boys have made it to the last game of the season in football, the Division 2 County Final against the winners of Kilmurry and Naomh Aban. This follows an exhilarating semi-final last Wednesday against a tough, spirited but very fair Banteer-Lyre with both teams leaving everything on the pitch. With two minutes to go in normal time the Rovers were up 1-7 to 1-5 and looked set to be heading for the Final in normal time. It wasn’t going to be that easy; Two late points for Banteer brought it to extra time (1-07 each).
Adam Kelleher was once again solid as can be in goals, with kick outs like the Scud missiles the Americans used in the Iraqi war. Con McCormack and Donagh Hurley were solid in the corners and at times were able to dart up the wings in support of the attacks. Jack Lynch patrolled outside the square and kept the Banteer dangerous no 14 quiet. The two Jameses, of the Larkin and Walsh varieties, were on the wing and pushed back against any opposition attacks. Cathal Barry was irrepressible as ever: even some cramp in extra time wasn’t going to stop him as he moved laterally and horizontally, in defence and attack. Denis Fitzgerald and Éanna Lyons were tireless in the middle and expended serious energy up and down the park in the eighty minutes. Matthew Kenny gobbled the ball and brought it with him time and time again, while the other half forward MIchéal Walsh was graceful under pressure producing the goods when needed. Shane O’Dowd, at centre forward drove at the Banteer defence with Garry Quirke at full forward leading the line. Eoghan Buckley in one corner put in a good shift while Finn O’Driscoll in the other used his guile to threaten the Banteer defence. It’s always said that a team is only as good as its subs: Bride Rovers proved this maxim with Robert Sweeney and Mark Hynes, introduced relatively early in the game, followed by Tadhg Cronin and Calum Somers, all contributing and with Dylan Keating playing his part also.
The effort it took Banteer to get back level at the end of extra time took its toll on them and in extra time there was only going to be one winner with the Rovers boys taking control and tacking on three points, one after the other, to take hold of the prize that is the Division 2 County Final.
It is important to mention that this game was played in the spirit that you’d hope a game like this would be, with heart, determination and sportsmanship from both sides. In particular credit to Banteer-Lyre, who though exhausted at the end, congratulated their opponents in a wholehearted fashion - sport was indeed the winner. Full time score in Kildorrery: Bride Rovers 1-10 Banteer-Lyre 1-7. The second semi final between Kilmurry and Naomh Aban is scheduled for next Monday the Bank Holiday. In the mean time we have a League Final v Erins Own on Wednesday of next week for our lads. This game is fixed under the lights in Caherlag on Wednesday October 30th.
UNDER 21 HURLING. Our 2024 Under 21 hurling championship commences on Monday next with a home game v Sarsfields. This match is fixed for the Main Field at 11.30. Our second Group game Killeagh has not yet been finalised.
ST COLMANS HARTY GAMES. St. Colmans commence their Harty campaign on the 6th of November v Waterford’s De la Salle and then on the 20th of Nov they face the North Mon Gaeilscoil. Flannans defeated Colmans in the Dean Ryan Cup recently with six Bride Rovers players on the XV and a similar number played on the under 16 team.
CLUB LOTTO The Lotto Results for Tuesday 15th of October were as follows ; Numbers drawn were 3, 6, 15 & 31 and there was No Winner. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Emma O’Keeffe, Pairc an Oir, Jerome O’Driscoll, Shanowen, Kevin Hogan, Rathcormac, Mary Hogan, Kildinan and Claire Lynch, Dungourney
RETIREMENT OF MARGARET HOWARD NT. On tonight Thursday October 24th a function will be held in Scoil Bride, Rathcormac to mark the retirement of Margaret Howard NT. Margaret has given a remarkable 34 years of service to education in the Parish. All in Bride Rovers GAA Club thank her and wish her all the very best for the future.
UNDER 7’s IN TALLOW. The under seven players recently made the trip to Tulach an Iarainn to take part in a Blitz. We played Lismore and Cois Bride(Tallow/Shamrocks) and a great day was had by all. Our young players showed might enthusiasm and no little skill in a fun environment. Thanks to the Tallow Club for the invite.
JAMES ON THE COUNTY FINAL WHISTLE. Having already reffed the Premier Senior Football County Final and Finals in all the Intermediate Grades James Bermingham will complete the ‘full house’ next Sunday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. James is in charge of the Senior A Football decider between Carrigaline and Knocknagree, the curtain-riser for the Nemo v Castlehaven Final. Best of luck James.
JAMES ON THE COUNTY FINAL WHISTLE. Having already reffed the Premier Senior Football County Final and Finals in all the Intermediate Grades James Bermingham will complete the ‘full house’ next Sunday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. James is in charge of the Senior A Football decider between Carrigaline and Knocknagree, the curtain-riser for the Nemo v Castlehaven Final. Best of luck James.
COUNTY HURLING FINALS. Glen Rovers made a speedy return to the top flight of Cork hurling with a good win last Sunday. In the premier Senior Final Imokilly had a superb win over Sars. The Denis Ring coached side had a brilliant second half with ten points in a row at one stage. The Imokilly team were congratulated on their win at our Executive meeting on Monday night. Srs will play the Clare winners in the Munster Club championship.
BEST WISHES. Also at Monday’s Meeting Best wishes were extended neighbouring Clubs Lisgoold, St Catherines and Watergrasshill -all trying to win County Titles this year.
SCIATH NA SCOIL FINAL. Bishop O Brien NS, Bartlemy, girls football team will meet Walterstown NS (Cobh) in their final in the next few weeks.
1924 -2024. IMOKILLY CENTENARY. Saturday November 16th in Garryvoe Hotel is the date and venue for the East Cork Board’s Gala centenary Dinner. The Centenary Publication 2010-2024 will be launched on the night with special guest GAA President Jarlath Burns in attendance.
HAMSTRING PROBLEMS? Years ago we never heard of hamstring problems but now they are very common with hurlers and footballers. On November the 6th the Cork County Board have put together a panel of Medical experts to talk on prevention and treatment of these injuries. Details from Club Runal Mike Carey.
GET WELL SOON. Get well wishes are extended to our Parish priest Fr Joe O Keeffe who is recovering after surgery. Hopefully Fr Joe will make a full recovery and be back amongst us shortly.
CAR BOOT SALE AGM. The Parish Devp Fund AGM was held recently. After serving as Chairman for several years Mossy O Sullivan stepped down and Billy Finnegan is now Chairman. Th next Car Boot Sale is on Sunday November the 3rd. Help is always needed and new volunteers are always welcome.
UNDER 15 HURLING.
We commenced our U15 P2 championship on Sunday last by hosting Kiltha Og. Conditions for these young lads were "challenging" to say the least! This is a combination of our u15 and u14 groups so we had 31 lads tog with another 9 unavailable. After winning the toss we chose to play against the wind. We started brightly with our full forward Oliver Harris being brought down for a penalty after a great run. This was dispatched by Cathal to get us off to a great start. The following 25 minutes was defending at all costs! Points by Tadhg and Fionn Lynch left the half time score at 0-8 to 1-2.
In the second half we again started brightly with a goal by Mícháel and points started coming from Finn, Mícháel, Oliver....Kiltha struck for a goal which was answered by Finn for a goal. Kiltha got another goal but there was some confusion over the scoreline with ourselves, Kiltha and the ref all having different scores. With a minute to go the ref had us level and we finished strongly with points from Cathal and Mícháel.
The next scheduled game is bank holiday Monday at home to Eire Óg at 2pm. The following Saturday we are scheduled to play Na Piarsaigh in football championship away. For a few of our lads this was a very testing week with them having played 5 games in 7 days...with one game going to extra time.
GAA CLEAN UP DAY. The GAA at County level recently organised a Clean Up Day. Because of games and other events on the day we were unable to take part. However we have the litter pickers, bags etc so the event will be rescheduled at a later date.
FLOODLIGHTING PITCH. At Monday night’s Executive meeting a discussion too k place about the installation of a Floodlighting System at Pynes. We recently received a Sports Capital Grand of €137,000 towards this project. Tenders are now being sought for the work
NORTH CORK HURLING. Last Sunday high winds caused the postponement of the Killavullen v Harbour Rovers Avondhu JHC Final. It’s an intriguing decider as Killavullen, who won the JAFC title last year, bid to win their first ever North Cork title -they lost out in the 1929 Final, their only previous appearance in a Final. The game is now refixed for next Saturday October 26th in Kildorrery.
SYMPATHY The Bride Rovers Club extends it’s sympathy to the Hazelwood family on the death of Betty Travers, sister of Henry.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
