Pipped By a Point.
After a stirring display in Carrigtwohill on last Sunday night our Senior Hurling team fell short by a single point against Erins Own in the County Championship first round game. It was a great game of hurling on a perfect sod, played before a fine crowd. Unlike last years encounter in Riverstown when we got a tonic start it was Erins Own that got off to a flyer. We were behind on the scoreboard for the entire game but the lads earned much praise for the manner in which they fought back. Deep into injury time a flick from Sean Ryan went over the bar when it could just as easily have gone into the net. A one-point defeat was our lot, which means that once more we have to try the back door route to stay involved in the 2012 County Senior Hurling Championship.
The Glounthane/ Knockraha side had a dream start with a goal and a point inside the first minute. Barry Johnson pointed a free to open our account before Erins Own went 1 2 to 0 1 ahead. Sean Ryan doubled our tally before 'the Bear' Eoghan Murphy pointed a free in the sixth minute. It was noticeable that after a slow start our hurling was improving all over the pitch. Two points from Jason Mannix in the space of three minutes had our supporters in full voice. A Daniel Dooley point left it 1 4 to 0 5 at fourteen minutes. Then disaster struck in the form of a second Erins Own goal at the midway point of the half. Instead of being a setback for our lads they raised their game. From there 'til half time we held Erins Own scoreless. With the defence and midfield taking over our forwards had ample possession and we hit five points in a row- three from Barry and one apiece from Daniel and Jerome. These scores made it level pegging, 2 4 to 0 10 at half time. Having got off to the worst possible start we really came into the game in a splendid fashion and grew in confidence as the game went on. Having displayed great heart and never say die spirit we were well up for the second half. Erins Own came fastest out of the blocks in the second half. Unlike the first half we gave away a succession of frees and in an eight minute spell Eoghan Murphy pointed four placed balls. In the tenth minute Barry Johnson had our first second half point from a free. Erins Own had two more points before Barry sent another free over the bar to make it 2 10 to 0 12. Web fell six points in arrears again by the 16th minute. Two minutes later Barry made it a five-point game once more. Padraig Murphy sent over a great point followed by similar scores from Michael Collins and Barry. This left us just two behind 2 12 to 0 16. Excitement really mounted as two very committed teams gave it everything in an effort for victory. Jason Mannix narrowed it to a single score but Murphy made it two again. Barry brought it back to one as the game entered the last few minutes. From a free the Erins Own full forward made it 2 14 to 0 18. Into injury time then and we were able to win everything but finding it hard to score. We had attack after attack before we were awarded a close in free. Erins Own were back to defend in numbers. Barry Johnson's shot was deflected out to the wing but sent back in again. In a dramatic finish Sean Ryan rose highest to get a touch on the sliotar but it flew over the bar. The final whistle went and we were defeated by a single, solitary point after a terrific hours hurling. It was a magnificent game and our disappointment was only tempered by the pride in the display of the eighteen players who took part in a great game. Its all about results of course and playing well and losing is poor consolation. We can be delighted of course that like so many times in the past the Bride Rovers hurling team showed that they are a real championship side. The tenacity, grit and heart displayed was just brilliant to see. Some say tradition counts for little during a game but it gives that sense of self belief and will to do the very best for the jersey. Well done lads on a superb display.
Team and scorers; D. Fitzgerald, M. Kearney, B. Walsh, S. Kearney, B. Murphy, Barry Murphy, L. Forde, S. Boyce, B. Johnson ( 0 9, 0 8 frees), M. Collins 0 1, J. Mannix 0 3, P. Murphy 0 1, J. O Driscoll 0 1, S. Ryan 0 2, D. Dooley 0 2.
Subs; J. Murphy, J. Pratt & C. O Keeffe.

To score 19 points in a Senior Championship and lose is tough but then Killeagh got 4 12, albeit after extra time and also lost.Our 'back door' opponents will be Na Piarsaigh who defeated us in the first round last year. They suffered an eight point defeat to Douglas on Saturday night- but hit 17 wides on the night. The game is fixed for Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday week June 9th at 8pm after the Blackrock v Courceys game.

Junior Hurling Inter Divisional League

We recently played our final home league game in Pairc Na Bhride against Cobh who are back junior having competed at Intermediate level up until 2011
Once again we started slowly and found ourselves 1-5 in arrears in the first 15 minutes. Thanks to good play by the defence and with Terry in shooting form we registered 4 points in the first half and found ourselves down by 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time. This was not a true reflection of Rovers and we were possibly suffering from recent injuries to our panel of players.
The true Rovers spirit came out in the 2nd half and we had 3 unanswered points which brought us back in the game. Entering into the final quarter Terry was upended in the square but the resultant penalty by Gavin was pushed out for a 65 which Terry converted. We continued to pressure Cobh's defence and finally we secured the necessary goal following a breaking ball in the square Gavin drilled it to the net, this left us only 3 points behind but two breakaways had Cobh finishing with two long range points. We were defeated by 1-15 to 1-10 and we need to see the Rovers of the 2nd half for a full game and this will happen with all the injured players getting back to full fitness and the necessary commitment of the players to training in the weeks leading up to the Championship.
Team: Frank Hogan, Fergus Collins, Tomas Kearney, James Murphy, Michael Kearney, Brendan O'Driscoll, Jim O'Connor, Sean O'Brien, Kieran Collins, Gerard Healy, Jerome O'Driscoll, Terry Broderick, Damien Buckley, Alan O'Keeffe and Gavin Quill.
Subs: James Bermingham, Brian Lahive,Richard Foley,Kieran Wolfe.
Scorers: Terry Broderick 0-7, Gavin Quill 1-0, Jerome O'Driscoll 0-2 and Gerard Healy 0-1
Next League Games: Away to Russell Rovers in Shanagarry on Saturday 2nd June at 7.30, Away to Castlemartyr on Thursday 7th June at 7.30, Away to Dungourney on Thursday 14th June at 7.30.
Championship: Versus Carrignavar on Saturday 23rd June.


MINOR HURLING.
WE played Carrignavar in Rathcormac on Saturday night last in the Co League for Non Exam players. Our lads gave a great display especially in the second half. We lost by a margin of two points 2 12 to 2 10.
Team; F. Hogan, J. Macak, P. Noonan, Colm Howard, C. O Connor, S. Cotter, D. Quinn, R. Prendergast, Wm. Finnegan, J. Buckley, Cian Howard, D. Moore. Sub S. Walsh.
We may have a game this weekend. At the time of writing no fixture has been finalised.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
Last week's draw took place in Barry's Bar, Rathcormac for a jackpot of €2,600.
The four numbers drawn were 3/5/13 and 27 and there was no jackpot winner.

The winners of the five €30 'Lucky Dips' were;

. Brian Arnold, Bartlemy
. Tom Cullinane, Rathcormac
. Mona Molan, Mondaniel
. Tadhg O'Donovan, Rathcormac
. Brendan Walsh, Shanowen.

This week's draw took place in The Central Bar, Rathcormac on Tuesday May 29th for a jackpot of €2,800.
Tickets can be had from Club Members, in local business outlets or online at locallotto.ie

2012. CLUB MEMBERSHIP.Membership of the Club for 2012 is still open. The Fee for Adult Players is €100, Students €40, Minors €30, Ordinary Club Membership €50. There is a special reduced Membership Fee of €20 for OAP's. The Membership fees can be paid to any Club member.

CLUB SHOP.
Well it is Championship time and a timely reminder to all players and supporters that we have a huge range of Stock in the Bride Rovers Club Shop. With the playing season now in full swing its great to see the green. white and gold being proudly worn. Jerseys, togs, Socks, Hoodies, Training Shorts, Track Suits, Training Tops, Gear Bags, Polo Shirts, Bottle Green Wind-Sheeters, Green Half Zip Hoodies, Rain Jackets, Beanie Hats and Medal Boards are all available. Be seen to support your club with the club colours and club gear. Ring 086 3807784 or 086 1540902 to purchase all the above items. Thanks to our huge band of loyal followers who were in Carrig on Sunday night.

Website.

Our revamped website www.briderovers.ie is proving very popular with those at home and abroad. We are still looking for old Club Team or action photos for the site, www.briderovers.ie It is also planned to extend the History Section in a major way over the next few weeks. We would urge all club members and supporters to tell all their friends about the website.

The Bride Rovers GAA Club main sponsor is The Rathcormac Inn/Conversation Piece.