This year we experienced many highs & lows in the club both on and off the field of play.

Some of these include retaining our Senior Hurling status following our victory over Cloyne in the relegation play-off, which is vital for the growth of the club, but against that the low of losing 3 rounds in SHC when on all 3 occasions we were capable of winning. These results must be used to spur on the team in 2013 and to avoid any threat of relegation.

Being awarded a grant for €80,000 through the Sports Capital Grant Programme so that we can move onto phase 2 of the development which is a 60 x 40metre all weather training pitch. This development is necessary to aid the development of our younger players but also in providing a facility where training can be held on a good surface whatever the weather conditions.

This year we saw the new club website, www.briderovers.ie launched, it is a fantastic site and is being maintained superbly by Gerard Lane. The site has on average 4500 hits per month which is great for a club site. The news is current and up to date, also the latest Juvenile & Adult fixtures and results can be checked as well as the hundreds of photos now available to see on the site.

Phase 1 of the development, i.e. the hurling wall and astro turf pitch are being used constantly, be it for training or for rental for teams wishing to play "Ground Football". But the big news is that this development is now fully paid for. This was made possible by the generous contribution of the Rathcormac Parish Development Fund, the workers who gave there time for Free during its construction in 2011. The total project cost was approx. €100,000.

In there first year in the senior ranks, our Senior Ladies football team can be very proud of their achievements, reaching the League Final & losing out at the semi-final stage of the championship, well done to all & we wish you well in 2013. Also congrats to the Camogie team under the guidanace of Tom Mulcahy who won the Junior Camogie County in an exciting contest with Charleville, this after the heartbreak of losing a year earlier.

The disappointment of having to withdraw from the Junior A Football Championship, a competition we won in 2007, along with the relegation of our 1st team to division 3 football for 2013.

The untimely passing of former club secretary, player & mentor Tony Walsh, May He Rest in Peace.

SENIOR HURLING

RED FM SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE
This year we completed all 15 League games, winning 5 games, drawing 2 & losing 8 to finish with 12 points.
Erins Own won the league defeating Newtown in the Final.

SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Erins Own were or opponents in the opening round which was played in Carrigtwohill on Sunday 27th May.
Unlike the previous years encounter in Riverstown when the Rovers got a tonic start it was Erins Own that got off to a flyer with a goal and point inside the first minute. We were behind on the scoreboard for the entire game but the lads showed great determination to fight back and 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.
Final score Erins Own 2-14 Bride Rovers 0-19.
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.

In the second round we played Na Piarsaigh who had being defeated by Douglas in the first round. Game was played in Pairc Ui Rinn on 9th June. The concession of an early goal to Na Piarsaigh was to prove the difference between the sides at the final whistle. Just as in our opening game against Erins Own we were well capable of winning the contest. We created plenty chances but having shot just 4 wides against Erins Own, our wides count against Na Piarsaigh was 10. In a frantic final few minutes we were down 3 points and despite creating 2 or 3 goal chances, the great effort again produced by this team was unrewarded as we lost 1-10 to 0-10.
Team and scorers; D. Fitzgerald, A.Collins, B. Walsh, S. Kearney, B. Murphy, Barry Murphy, L. Forde, J.Pratt, B. Johnson (0-3 frees), D. Burke 0-2, J. Mannix , P. Murphy, M. Collins 0-2, S. Ryan J. O Driscoll .
Subs; C. O Keeffe 0-2, D.Dooley 0-1, M. Kearney.

We suffered a terrible defeat in the third round game v Blackrock played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on 18th August,
we seemed to be well in control of the game but faded in the last twenty minutes. We led by five points at half time but knew Blackrock would come out fighting in the second half and within a few minutes the scores were level. We regained control and scored four good points from play and seemed to have weathered the storm. After that we scored no more. Blackrock scored their second goal in the 53rd minute to go in front and added two more points to win by 2-11 to 0-14.
Team and scorers; D. Fitzgerald, A. Collins, B. Murphy, S. Kearney, M. Kearney, B. Murphy, L.Forde, J. Pratt, B. Johnson (0-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65) M. Collins (0-3), J 0'Driscoll (0-2), P. Murphy, J. Mannix (0-1), D. Dooley (0-2), S. Ryan (0-1).
Subs C. O Keeffe, D. Burke, S. Boyce, P. Walsh.

SENIOR HURLING RELEGATION PLAY-OFF
3248 days after becoming a Senior Club on 26th October 2003, our future in the grade was going to be decided v Cloyne in the Relegation play-off played on Saturday 15th September in Pairc Ui Rinn.

It is difficult to put into words a report on this game such was the tension & emotion of it all so I have left it to John Arnolds' match report which appeared on the Avondhu the following week....(take a minute to read his report below)

"Was it Van Morrison had a hit a few years back with "They'll be days like this"? well last Saturday at Pairc Uí Rinn was one of those days. There was no cup or trophy on offer, no League or Championship title to be won yet the excitement was only surpassed by 1998 and 2003 when we captured County Titles. Our one point victory over Cloyne was a brilliant ending as it looked as though victory had been snatched from us in the dying minutes of a very close game. We led for most of the game but Cloyne went a point up with just three minutes left on the clock, a minute later they doubled their lead and as we went into added time it seemed our nine year sojourn in the Senior Grade of cork Club Hurling was about to come to an end. But as our song says "when hot grew that fight those hearts grew more eager" and after Dinny Fitzgerald's shot for goal was blocked by a wall of defenders that doughty son of
Boherlahan, David Burke finished the sliotar to the net for a dramatic win.
All the week there was an air of both nervousness and expectation in the parish in advance of the game. Not since 1984 had we defeated Cloyne at ‘first team' level in hurling. In 1957,1972 and 1998 we beat their second team and in recent years our second team has had victories over Cloyne's second string. This was the backdrop then to last Saturday's Relegation Final, also variously named the Big Drop game and the Slan Leat Final.
Well over a thousand people gathered near the Boreenamanna road in the pitch named after Cloyne's finest son. Incidentally Christy Ring won his first adult hurling medal with his native place when they defeated the Rovers in the 1938 East Cork Junior Hurling Final. Barry Johnson and Padraig Murphy had two points on the board before Conor Cusack goaled for Cloyne with four minutes gone. They followed with two points to go three ahead. We were playing with a stiffish breeze in the first half so Michael Kearney and Barry at midfield had to play deep in defence to gain possession. It was notice able even at an early stage that both defences were on top with Brian Murphy marshalling our backline superbly. Two more white flags from Barry left us just a point in arrears 0 4 to 1 2 in the tenth minute Sean Ryan won a great ball and was bearing down on goal when fouled ‘in the square'. From the semi penalty spot Barry Johnson made no mistake. Up now by 1 4 to 1 2 we moved up a gear and using the breeze well we edged three points ahead again thanks to Barrys accuracy from frees. Cloyne never left us pull away though and by half time we had a slender lead of just two points 1 7 to 1 5. Considering the breeze it was not a great lead but the game was tense and tight and it was obvious from early on that no team was going to win at their ease. If the first half was tense then the second period opened up as both teams realised that just half an hour remained to save their senior status. Cloyne were senior since 1997 and contested three in a row County finals from 2004 - 2006 sharing our fate of 2008 in not winning any. The Hurling in that second half was just brilliant. Whatever period of dominance we had enjoyed in the first half soon evaporated as the game turned into a ding-dong struggle. Aidan Collins made a vital interception, which prevented Conor Cusack netting his second goal. On four occasions we went two points ahead but never got a three-point lead. Great scores from Michael Collins- who won great possession, Barry and Jerome saw us lead by 1 13 to 1 11 with just five minutes left. The tension on the field was only matched by the effort on the field as our lads fought might and main to close the game out. We could have caught Erins Own with a late goal in the first round in Carrig last May but the sliotar went over the bar rather than under. That defeat started us on the road of narrowly losing three games to get to this Final. As time ticked away it seemed we'd hold our two point lead but then in the 57th minute disaster struck in the form of a Cloyne goal to put them a point up - leading for only the second time in the game. We won possession from the puckout but a wide ball was the result. Cloyne were in no hurry now but then Eoin O Sullivan got the sliotar and sent it straight between the posts. We were down two points now and the game had run its course. Was this it then? it looked all over for us but more drama was to come. From Dinnys puckout we worked the sliotar into the attack and were awarded a twenty-one yard free on the left of the goal at the covered stand side. If we were just a point down a simple tap over would ensure a draw and another day to settle the issue. Unfortunately a two points deficit meant there was only one option. Luckily the referee moved the sliotar top a more central position. Half the Cloyne team were on the line as Dinny blasted for goal. The wall of defenders stopped his shot. We were heartbroken in anticipation of the final whistle. The sliotar was half cleared but it came out to the lurking Dave Burke who first timed it to the net via several boots and ankles. Unbelievably we were back in the lead by a point. The reaction was wonderful - we were back from almost certain defeat and there was a mini pitch invasion. Dinny was flattened as he attempted to get back to his place in goals. Ashley Walsh pucked out the sliotar - by now we were in the fifth minute of added time, would Cloyne gain possession and win an equalising free? It was not to be and the final whistle went, we were winners by 2 13 to 2 12. Oh what a game and what a finish. It was truly the stuff of dreams and how our team and fans celebrated! One often hears the phrase that ‘Grown men cried' - so it was in Pairc Uí Rinn on last Saturday evening and the tears were shed in joy and heartbreak. Our joy was only matched by the heartbreak of Cloyne. Every team goes out to win their game in whatever championship they play but no team likes to send another club down a grade but that's the system that we have.
It was here in Pairc Uí Rinn on Saturday October the 10th 1998 that we staged our greatest ever comeback. That day we trailed Ballinascarthy by 1-9 to 0-4 in the County Junior Championship semi final. Like Saturday last we won that game by a single point and went on to greater things. The feelings of elation, joy and relief were all expressed on Saturday as players and supporters celebrated a mighty win. It was great to see Club stalwarts like Fr. Seanie, Fr. Fachtna and Fr. Gus on the pitch afterwards with our goalie for years Joseph O Brien. Jack Russell was a delighted man as were all the mentors and backroom team. In our three championship games to date this year we were just narrowly defeated on each occasion so Saturdays win was a vindication for the players and all associated with the team.

Team & scorers: Dinny Fitzgerald, Alan Collins, Brendan Walsh, Shane Kearney, Barry Murphy, Brian Murphy, Liam Forde, Barry Johnson (1-9), Michael Kearney, Michael Collins(0-2), David Burke (1-0), Padraig Murphy (0-1), Jerome O Driscoll
(0-1), Daniel Dooley, Sean Ryan.
Subs Jason Pratt & Jason Mannix.

JUNIOR HURLING

CAVANAGHS OF FERMOY JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1, SECTION 2
Having gained promotion to Division 1, we competed in the Avondhu / Imokilly Junior Hurling League.
It was a great opportunity to play competitive games against junior teams in North Cork. We played 9, winning 3 against Harbour Rovers, Russell Rovers & Ballyhooly, drew with Shanballymore & lost 5.

EAST CORK JUNIOR HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3
Our third team in hurling competed in the East Cork league without success but these games helped to prepare the panel for the JCHC later in the year.

EAST CORK OIL JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
In the opening round of the JAHC we played Carraig Na bhFear in Watergrasshill on 23rd June. Carraig na bhFear would go onto win the East Cork Championship but got their most sternest test against the Rovers. Carraig started strong & led 5 points to no score after ten minutes and 10 points to 3 after 20 minutes before a goal by Alan O'Keeffe reduced the deficit. Two further points from Carraig had them in front at the interval 0-12 to 1-3.
The Rovers tore into the game in the second half & by the 51st minute there was one a point in the game following a goal from Kieran Collins & points from Terry Broderick. After missing a chance to get on level terms we suffered a blow when Carraig na bhFear broke away for a goal which restored their four point lead. At the end just three points separated the sides; Carraig na bhFear 1-13 Bride Rovers 2-07.
Team and Scorers; Frank Hogan, Fergus Collins, Tomás Kearney, Kieran Manley, Trevor Moloney, Brendan O Driscoll, Jim O Connor, Pat Walsh, Terry Broderick (0-4), Sean O Brien, Kieran Collins(1-0), Alan O Keeffe (1-02), Damien Buckley, Richie Cahill, Owen Murphy. Sub Stephen Pratt (0-1).

The draw was not kind to us as we drew Castlemartyr in the second round / back door game. Played in Ballynoe on the 15th July, Castlemartyr proved to be too strong on the night. Down 2 goals at half time, 2-05 to 0-5, things did not get any better as Castlemartyr ran out winners on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-10.
Team & Scorers: Frank Hogan, Fergus Collins, Tomas Kearney, Kieran Manley, Trevor Moloney, Brendan O'Driscoll, Jim O'Connor, Pat Walsh, Terry Broderick (0-8), Sean O'Brien, Kieran Collins, Alan O'Keeffe, Damien Buckley, Richard Cahill(0-2), Owen Murphy. Sub Used: Gerard Healy for Damien Buckley.

EAST CORK JUNIOR C HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
We played Castlemartyr in the opening round of JCHC in Lisgoold on 22nd September. Having used forty two players in Senior and Junior A Championship, a panel of twenty one players were available. Rovers got off to a great start with a goal from Daniel Lane. Kieran Woulfe scored our second goal before half time to leave us 2-06 to 0-05 ahead. Into the second half & points from Mike Hogan, Gavin Quill & Gavin O'Flynn increased our lead before a goal from John O'Dowd secured a 3-11 to 0-07 victory.
Team & scorers; Maurice Dooley, Wm. O Leary, Brian Collins, Barry Collins, Stephen O Leary, Pa O Driscoll, Brian Lahive, Daniel Lane (1-02), Gavin O'Flynn (0-3), Gavin Quill (0-1), James Hogan, Mike Hogan (0-2), Kieran Woulfe (1-0), John O Dowd (1-03), Niall Hogan.
Subs Liam O Leary & Pat Cotter, also on the panel Enda Collins, Jamie Buckley, Jack Kearney, David Quinn.

Midleton brought our run in the Junior C championship to an end on Sat. 13th October in Dungourney.
Midleton were quick off the mark and after ten minutes they were ahead by 1 4 to no score. However the Rovers rallied and a point by Pat Cotter followed by a goal from Daniel Lane had us back in the game. Daniel notched two more points to leave us five behind at half time, 1-08 to 1-03. However Midleton dominated the second half & outscored the Rovers 1-07 to 0-02 to leave the final score 2-15 to 1-05.
Team and scorers; Maurice Dooley, William O Leary, Brian Collins, Barry Collins, Jack Kearney, Pa O Driscoll, Brian Lahive, Stephen O Leary, Daniel Lane (1-3), Gavin Quill, James Hogan, Pat Cotter (0-2), John O Dowd, Liam O Leary. Subs Mike Hogan, Jamie Buckley, James Bermingham.

U21 HURLING

On Saturday 21st July we travelled to Castlelyons to play local rivals Watergrasshill in the U21 B Hurling Championship. This was a disappointing result and to use the phrase made famous by a famous Cork Soccer International, "Fail to Prepare...Prepare to Fail".
Again this is a game that we were capable of winning but on the night performed below par before losing out on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-10.
Team: F.Hogan, W.O'Leary, B.Collins, R.Foley, F.Collins, J.Pratt, J.Macak, S.O'Leary, J.Buckley, D.Buckley, J.Mannix, O.Murphy, L.O'Leary, J.Healy, Mce. Dooley. Sub Used: P.Noonan.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

EAST CORK JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE - DIVISION 2
In the Junior Football league we played 5 out of the 8 games, winning 2 & losing 3. Unfortunately we are now relegated to Division 3 in the League.

EAST CORK JUNIOR A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
In the first round of the JAFC we played Aghada on 23rd March under the lights in Carrigtwohill. For the last few years we had suffered narrow defeats in our first round ties so it was with a degree of trepidation that the team travelled to take on Aghada in the first round. While this was Aghada's second team they are the most successful football club in East Cork. We entered the game after four league games in the East Cork Division 2 of the JFL with two wins and two defeats. The team produced a fine brand of attacking football and in total six players contributed to our score-sheet. The teams were level Bride Rovers 1-02 to Aghada 0-05 at half time. Goals from Alan O'Keeffe and sub Padraig Murphy helped us to a merited victory over Aghada on a final scoreline of Bride Rovers 2-7 Aghada 0-10
Team & scorers.- 1. Richie Cahill. 2. Jim O'Connor 3. Brennie O'Driscoll 4. Trevor Moloney 5. Shane Kearney 6. Liam Forde 7. Jason Pratt 8. Michael Kearney, 9.Sean Ryan 10. Colm O'Keeffe (0-2) 11. Brendan Walsh (0-1) 12. Terry Broderick (0-1) 13. Barry Johnson (0-3) 14. Jerome O'Driscoll 15. Alan O'Keeffe (1-0). Subs Padraig Murphy (1-0) & Jacob Macak.

Having qualified for the quarter-final we were drawn to play Glenbower Rovers but were unable to field a team on the night of the proposed fixture and withdrew from the competition.

U21 FOOTBALL

There was no team entered in this competition in 2012 following consultation with players & selectors.

BRIDE ROVERS JUVENILE GAA CLUB
(Courtesy of Pat Walsh, Chairman of Juvenile Club)

2012 was a very busy year for the juvenile club. We registered 110 players from aged 5 years to just under 18 years old. We fielded teams at under 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and minors and contested both leagues and championship at all ages from U12 to minors with the exception of our under 15's who competed in the championship only. Our under 11's competed at league only due to the absence of a championship for this age group.
Between league and championship fixtures we competed in 68 games and had to concede 8 games.

Our under 6's are increasing in numbers and were busy throughout the year participating in blitzes with a wide variety of opponents. The under 7's and 8's contested 31 games in blitz format in 2012. The under 10's also played their part and represented the club in several games. Our under 11's were very successful and won the under 11 East Region Hurling League and were runners up in the East Region Football League.

The under 12's were successful in winning the under 12A East Region football league and were runners up in the under 12A East Region hurling league.

The under 13's to minors did not receive any silver wear this but they represented the club with pride and competed with true sportsmanship. This was their success, they played gallantly, competed fairly and were a credit to our club.

We hosted many blitzes during 2012 including a very successful under 8 blitz and our annual Jerard Kenny blitz.
Due to the present economic situation fundraising was very difficult this year. The running costs for the club increased due to an increase in affiliation fees, imokilly development squad fee and referees fees.

We had three main fundraisers in 2012 - A Fun Day on June 17th , a Halloween Party Night on 26th October, also the astro league which is currently running . For the Fun Day we joined forces with the Ladies Football and Camogie Club and ran blitzes for under 6, 8 and 10 boys and under 8 and 10 girls. A number of side shows were also held and thankfully the event was a success for both clubs.The juvenile club was however disappointed that 5 days before the event the issue with GAA insurance/directives was mentioned, when weeks of preparation had been put in. Our Halloween Party Night was a fun night for all and was a very enjoyable night. It brought much needed funds in to the club. The juvenile club would like to thank everyone who supported, sponsored and assisted us with these very important fundraisers, however there is a need to have linked up policy when it comes to fundraising for the whole club.

The juvenile club would also like to thank the players of the adult club who have helped us in so many ways, mentoring our teams, supporting them at matches etc. Your support and commitment has been hugely beneficial to our young players.
We thank the officers of the adult club for their help and support in 2012, in particular club runaí who kindly includes our training sessions, fixtures and news in the club text service. Also the new club website is proving a good hit with weeky updates and news. We congratulate the club for their success in obtaining a substantial grant for the development of Pairc na Bride. Finally we would like to wish the officers and players of Bride Rovers GAA club every success in 2013.

BRIDE ROVERS LADIES FOOTBALL & CAMOGIE CLUB
(Courtesy of Catherine Murphy, Secretary Bride Rovers Ladies Football Club)

The Bride Rovers Ladies Football & Camogie club had many achievements during 2012, these include;
- Senior A County Semi-Finalists and League Finalists.
- U14 B County Semi-Finalists and League Finalists.
- U16 B County Semi-Finalists and East Cork League Finalists.
- U12 C county quarter finalists and East Cork League final to be played soon.
- The younger players (U8 & U10) took part in many blitzes.

Player Representing Club on County Teams 2012.
Claire Murphy - U16 Jennifer Cahill -Minor Jennifer Barry Minor & Senior Grace Kearney & Eleanor Ahern - Senior

The club also won the Junior County camogie final in an exciting contest against Charleville. Well done to Tom Mulcahy & the Girls.
We also put a submission in for Tesco club of the month and we won club of the month for October.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS / COLLEGES / INTER-COUNTY

Well done to Frank Hogan and his St. Colmans team-mates on winning the Munster B Senior Colleges football championship and to everyone else in the club that represented Bride Rovers on teams in their secondard school.

Well done also to Brian Murphy who continues to impress with the Cork Seniors. Also to Shane Walsh & Dean Linehan who were involved with Cork U15's.
Liam Barry has been re-appointed as a Cork U21 Selector for 2013.

Congrats to the Ladies club players listed previously on their success with Cork Ladies Football.

Well done to those who played with Imokilly also. Shane Walsh, Dean Lenihan, William Finnegan, Cian O'Connor & Tadhg O'Sullivan.

Congratulations to the Boys & Girls of Rathcormac National School who enjoyed great success in the Sciath Na Scol last June.

PAIRC NA BRÍDE

Another busy year at Pairc Na Bride. The main pitch continued to work at full capacity throughout the summer with a heavy schedule and Pyne's Pitch continuing to cope with the overflow.
Various county and East Cork Championships were played in our pitch and I wish to thank all those who volunteered their help throughout the year so that we were in a position to hold these matches.
The clubhouse is always the hub of activity with gym equipment available for adult members and meetings of the various clubs and committees held there as well as receptions for visiting teams.
Thank you to the ladies who provide catering for our guests, it really is appreciated.

On behalf of the club I would like to extend sincere thanks to our grounds officer John Murphy and the Field Committee. They continue to maintain and develop the facilities for all members of our club and do this so generously in their own free time.

I would also like to thank our Mechanic / Hurleymaker Denis Ahern for his work this year on keeping the mower serviced.

Thanks to the FAS employees, both past and current that have maintained our facilities over the past year.

More sand has being spread on the pitch and this will continue for another year at least under the Munster grant scheme for which we receive €2000 towards the cost.

The astro-turf pitch is getting great use by teams and it is also available for hire by contacting James Bermingham on 086 8350741. Pitch is suitable for 5 a side "Ground Football" teams and costs €50 per hour with lights.

CAR BOOT SALE

Many thanks to all the members who helped out at the Car Boot Sale in the past 12 months. Anyone else interested in helping should contact James Bermingham so that their names can be added to the rota.
It is important that we continue to help & support the Car Boot Sale.

PUBLIC RELATION / COMMUNICATION

AVONDHU NOTES
A sincere Thank You to John Arnold for his excellent notes during the year & keeping us all you to date on match reports & club news. Also thanks to the staff and management of the Avondhu Newspaper for all the publicity during the past year.

CLUB WEBSITE - www.briderovers.ie
The Bride Rovers GAA Club Website www.briderovers.ie was re-designed and relaunched this year and is proving to be a massive success with over 4000 hits per month.

I would urge you all to visit the site as it contains the latest club news, lotto results, fixtures & results.
Also in recent weeks lots of photos have being added as well as articles in the history section. The Player profiles are a fun item and will be added to over the coming months.
If you have any suggestions regarding the improvement of the site please contact Ger Lane.

Thank you to Ger Lane for keeping the site updated with all club news.

TEXT SERVICE
The Club's text service for members and supporters is going from strength to strength. This service provides club news, lotto results all other Club news. There are currently 294 people receiving text messages from this service.

If you are not receiving this text simply send your name and mobile telephone number to 086 0278790 and you will be added to the list.

Team managers that want to setup groups to send text alerts for matches, training etc to playeres and/ or parents please contact the Club Runaí with the list of names and numbers.
Then simply send one text to the club phone and this will be forwarded to the relevant team group.

SCÓR

Success came early to the Club in 2012. Before a sliotar is pucked or a ball kicked we were East Cork champions! At Lisgoold Community Centre last January, the 2012 Scór Sinsear Finals for the Imokilly Division took place. We had five competitors entered in four categories in the Scór Final as follows;
Solo Singing; John Power (Spancil Hill)
Recitation; John Arnold, ‘The Bishops Sermon from The Field'
Question Time; Daniel Lane, John Arnold & William O Leary
Novelty Act; Daniel Lane, John Power, John Arnold & William O Leary ‘ Cured'.
When the results were announced Bride Rovers won Recitation and Novelty Act and Finished second in the Solo Singing. Marks for the best overall Club are awarded for participation and results and we won the Felix Sarsfield Trophy as the best Club. We also won the June Daly Trophy for the Novelty Act.
However there was no success in the County Finals.

Well done also to the Scoil Bride Rathcormac NS cast who took part in the Imokilly Final of the Scor na bPaisti in Watergrasshill on Sunday afternoon last.

Preparations are currently underway for Scór 2013 so if you are interested in competing in any of the 8 competitions please contact Gerard Lane or John Arnold.

Already this year the Final of Scor na nÓg took place in Lisgoold on Saturday night. We finished as runners up in the Question Time Competition.

CLUB SHOP

Thanks to Betty Cahill & Kathleen Johnson for continuing to look after the Club Shop. They are busy at the moment handing out Christmas Orders. For that ideal Christmas Gift perhaps you might consider getting something in the club shop. Gift Vouchers also available.

The shop stocks the following;
Jerseys, Togs, Socks, Hoodies, Training Shorts, Track Suits, Training Tops, Gear bags, Polo Shirts (White or navy), Bottle Green Wind-sheeters, Green half-zip hoodies, Rain Jackets, Beanie Hats, Medal Boards etc...

EAST CORK & CORK COUNTY BOARD DELEGATES

Special thanks to our East Cork Board Delegates, Tom Mulcahy & Brendan O'Driscoll & to our County Board Delegates, John Arnold & Daniel Lane for representing the club at these important meetings.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Club for 2013 is now open. The Fee for Adult Players is €100, Students €40, Ordinary Club Membership €50. There is a special reduced Membership Fee of €20 for OAP's.

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

There was a total of 16 Club Executive meetings held during the year with an average attendance of 11.

RATHCORMAC PARISH SOCIAL INITIATIVE

The first outing for 2012 was on Monday June 18th. It is a day long trip to Co. Clare leaving at 7.30am. Breakfast was had at the Corbett Court Ballyhea. Then it's on to Cragganown castle, Crannog, Ring fort and the ‘Brendan Boat'. Then it was onto the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Folk Park.

Next was a trip to Northern Ireland which took place from Wed 19th until Saturday 22nd of September. Amongst the places visited were Derry, Belfast and the Giants Causeway

The final Social Initiative outing of the year was a trip to Curaheen Park Dog-track in Cork on November 23rd.

SCHOOLS COACHING

Many thanks to our School coaches Brian Murphy & Brendan Walsh for the hours of coaching done with the pupils of Rathcormac & Bartlemy National Schools.
Thank you too to the School's for their co-operation with this very important activity.

REFEREES

A special word of thanks to our club referees namely, James Bermingham, Pa O'Driscoll, Mark Murphy & Paddy Buckley.

On behalf of all our referees I wish to extend a sincere thanks to the umpires and officials from the Club who
offered their assistance during the year.

Congrats to James Bermingham, our own club Chairman, who refereed the County Premier Intermediate Football Final between St Michaels and St Vincents at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

James was officiating his second Premier Intermediate Final in a row. One of Cork's most promising young referees, James made his refereeing début in 2003 at U12 level in East Cork, and has worked his way up the ranks since, refereeing the Munster Minor Football Championship this year. He cites East Cork referees Cathal McAllister and Niall Barrett as major influences on his career, as well as Tom Fitzgibbon RIP, former chairman of the East Cork Referees' Committee.

CLUB DEVELOPMENT

MUNSTER COUNCIL GAA GRANT

At the end of 2011, the club received a grant from the Munster Council of the GAA. When work was completed earlier in the year on the Hurling Alley and Astro Turf area an application was sent to the Provincial GAA council for Grant Aid. At a pleasant function Club Cisteoir Dan Quill received a cheque from the Council Chairman Sean Walsh in the presence of Officers of the Cork County Board. This is a great boost for the Club Finances after a very busy and costly year. We are grateful to all those in the Co. Board who assisted the Club in securing this finance.

SPORTS CAPITAL PROGRAMME GRANT

Santa came early for the Club this week in the form of a €80,000 Grant from the Sports Capital Programme.

Details of the Proposed Project & Costs
All Weather Pitch - 60metres x 40metres, which incorporates artificial playing surface and floodlighting and security fencing around the facility.
This will provide a facility for all year round use which will enhance and develop the skills of participants and ensuring that all year round there will be a facility in the Parish for the children. This will be properly supervised and hence promote healthy sporting activities for the full year rather than from March to September / October.
The New facility will also assist in the protection of our Main pitch (Natural Surface) during the Winter / Spring months, hence a better surface is maintained on same.

PROJECT COSTS & ORDER OF PRIORITY:
1. Playing surface development (artificial): €114,478.00

2. Security fencing: €35,615.00

3. Floodlighting: €23,835.00

TOTAL PROJECT COST €173,928.00

Under the Sports Capital Grant scheme we were seeking €136,232.00, so to get €80,000 was fantastic.
We have funds of €27,696 of our own plus a grant pending from Cork County Council of €10,000.

We are grateful to all those who assisted the Club in securing this finance.

I want to especially mention the work done by Treasurer Dan Quill in preparing the application. It was a difficult form to complete, so much so that of the 2000 applications received by the Department of Tourism & Sport over 50% were rejected due to incomplete or inaccurate information. Dan also took time to personally deliver our application to Killarney. Thanks too to Kathleen Johnson who assisted as well and a special thanks to the Rathcormac Parish Development Fund who kindly gave €20,000 towards this phase of the development.

SPONSORSHIP

Many thanks to our sponsors who continue to support the club, this is greatly appreciated. The Club's Main Sponsor is the Rathcormac Inn & Conversation Piece. We also receive sponsorship from Rathcormac Tyres, O'Coileáins Bar & Jump Juice Bars who were involved in sponsoring the 10Km Run in April.

LOTTO
The funds raised every week by our lotto sellers is vital to the running of the club and I thank each and everyone of them most sincerely for this. They put in a huge effort week in, week out selling tickets and as Dan will outline in his treasurer's report the lotto funds are vital for the day to day running of the club.

Congratulations to Olivia Lawton of Castlemartyr who was the lucky winner of our Lotto Jackpot of €8,600 on Tuesday April 24th. Olivia works at Quinn Healthcare and she purchased the ticket from Pat Noel O Connor who is one of our greatest weekly Lotto seller.

You can support the Lotto as follows;
1 Purchase a ticket each week from Club Members or in local Business outlets.
2 Buy Tickets online at Locallotto.ie
3 Purchase a yearly ticket, available at a reduced rate of €90
4 Sell a book or a half book of Lotto tickets every week. The club is always anxious to get new Lotto sellers- ‘many hands make light work', if you are interested in helping the Bride Rovers Club by buying or selling the weekly Lotto Tickets please contact any Club officer or member.

I would like to thank all our venue's for hosting the lotto on a weekly basis.

FUNDRAISING INITATIVES

DEVELOPMENT DRAW
The Chairmen of both the Adult & Juvenile club came together to oraganise this raffle having got a nice collection of prizes. The draw was held over Christmas & thank you all for supporting this draw.

BRIDE 10KM RUN
Our first ever 10K Road Race the Bride 10 was held on April 22nd and proved to be an outstanding success. A total of 250 participants, across a wide range of catergories, took part and for a first running this was a very strong showing. On the day over fifty Club Members and friends were on duty for stewarding, car parking ,marshalling and catering. Thanks to one and all who turned out to help with this fundraiser. Special thanks to sponsors Jump Juice and also to TVM of Bartlemy for the Public Address. Great credit is due to all who helped organise this Race especially Terry Broderick and James Bermingham. Thanks also to people like John Walsh, Anthony Prendergast, Dan McCarthy and James Mc Carthy for giving invaluable assistance on the day as well as the Garda Siochana and those who provided first aid facilities.

TABLE QUIZ
The Fundraising Table Quiz in the Rathcormac Inn on Friday 9th November and was a great success with close on twenty teams taking part. The questions were set and asked by Mary Arnold, assisted by Jane O Driscoll and Dan Quill. The winning team consisted of Tom and Denis Mulcahy, Robert Barry and Brian Browne. Thanks to all who supported the Quiz and made it a financial success. We received many spot prizes and raffle prizes and we are very grateful to all those who donated these. Thanks also to Jim and Cathy Dunne and the staff of the Rathcormac Inn for their hospitality and for the beautiful food. The next Table Quiz will be held in January in the Rathcormac Inn.

BUACHAILLS AT THE RATHCORMAC INN
The well known and very popular group ‘The Buachaills' will be playing in the Rathcormac Inn on Saturday December the 29th as part of the clubs ongoing fundraising towards the next phase of the development. A great night of traditional music is assured and your support for this event would be appreciated.

CORK GAA MEMBERS DAW.
The club continue to promote the Cork GAA members draw and we had a winner in the first draw in October.
Congrats to Peter O Keeffe, Cronovan, Bartlemy who won a Holiday Voucher.

CONGRATS TO GERARD LANE

Congratulations to County Vice-Chairman, our own club man Gerard Lane, who was honoured recently by the Gaelic Writers' Association as 2011 PRO of the Year , in recognition of his excellent work during his three-year term as Cork County PRO.

The award, sponsored by Cadbury's, was presented at a star-studded function at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin, and particularly recognises Ger's accessibility to the media, organisation of press evenings and regular media updates. It is an appropriate reflection of the quality of his work as Cork PRO, and a well-deserved honour.Ger has done fantastic work at club level in this area too especially with the new club website.

FAREWELL TONY
(Courtesy of Club PRO John Arnold from his Avondhu Notes)

Just a few weeks ago in these notes I wished Tony Walsh a speedy recovery from his illness. On the last Sunday in May he'd attended our Senior Hurling Championship first round game in Carrigtwohill but he was hospitalised a few days later. We all hoped Tony would make a full recovery but quickly learned of the gravity of his illness. It progressed so rapidly and on Sunday last July the 22nd Tony passed away at his home in Bartlemy in the presence of his family.

I've written the Notes for our beloved Bride Rovers Club for many years now. I've reported on great games, great players and great victories for the wearers of the green, white and gold. It's been an absolute privilege to try and put in words over the years what the Club means to the people of Bartlemy, Rathcormac and Kildinan. Of course we've had our defeats - many heartbreaking losses where victory seemed assured but defeat was our lot. As difficult it was to report on many of those games nothing compare with the task before me now as I attempt to pay tribute to Tony Walsh. He was a great player, officer, selector, supporter but above all a great friend. As we in the GAA Club try and come to terms with our loss our hearts go out to Tony's wife Nora, his family Matt, Margaret, Michael and Anne Marie, his sisters Bina and Margaret. As a husband, father, and brother and in recent years, grandfather Tony Walsh was a model human being. His friends were many and I doubt if he had an enemy anywhere. You just couldn't ‘fall out' with Tony because both on the playing field in his hurling days and in latter life he had a fantastic outlook. He accepted wins and losses, ups and downs in the same cheery manner. As a neighbour and Bartlemy community member Tony Walsh was one of the best. Doing a turn or lending a helping hand was part of his nature, following in the footsteps of his parents Matt and Hanny. For generations the Walsh's of Hightown have been linked to everything that was good and wholesome about life in rural Ireland.

Tony wasn't just a great Bride Rovers man. Like so many of his generation he immersed himself in a wide range of activities. While still a teenager he was Chairman of Bartlemy Macra na Feirme. The point-to-point races are held in Hightown and for many years Tony, along with his great friend Joe Browne held the Position as Joint Clerks of the Scales. When the Car Boot Sale commenced in the parish Tony was always to the fore as a voluntary helper.

There's a line in the Bride Rovers song; "How oft the tradition of sires they inherit, Rathcormac that reared them and Bartlemy too", it was only natural then I suppose that Tony would have a love of Gaelic game as his father Matt had hurled also. When the Club was formed in 1928 Matt Walsh was appointed Captain of the Minor Hurling team. By his own admission Matt was just ‘a handy hurler' but he played Minor and Junior for the fledgling Club. By the time Tony was a young teenager the early glory days of Bride Rovers had faded. The late forties and fifties was a time of low fortunes for Gaelic games in the parish. A Club existed under various names but success on the playing field was very limited. After reaching the Junior B grade final in 1959 no club was affiliated in the parish from 1962 - 1964. During this time local players played with neighbouring teams - Tony played juvenile, minor and junior with Watergrasshill. In December 1964 the Bride Rovers Club was reorganised once more. At the first meeting in Bartlemy Hall an interim five man Club Committee was formed to assist the new Officers. The Committee members were Dave Ryan, Tony Walsh, Tom Heskin, Willie Cotter and Tony O Brien. Donal Lehane NT was elected Secretary for 1965. During the School holidays in early summer Donal went home to West Cork and Tony took over as Club Secretary. The club started off with a Junior B hurling team and Tony soon slotted in as corner back - a position where he won three East Cork medals, B grade in 1966, A grade in 1968 and 1969. In 1966 when the Rovers made the East Cork breakthrough Tony was secretary and player and Club Chairman Michael Murphy was also on the team. Tony played for the Club until the early 1980's -lining out at corner back but wearing the number 13 jersey for a few seasons in the 1970's. He was the traditional corner back, safe, reliable and ever present. He knew his role and his place on the field of play. He played that game as sportsmen did play it, he was manly straightforward and clean on the field. In a long playing career he was never sent off. He was never a man to retaliate or strike a foul blow - that wasn't his style. His dual role as player and officer rested lightly on his shoulders - out of the first one hundred games the Rovers played in the 1965 -1967 period Tony lined out in 98 of them ! As a club officer he served as Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registrar and Juvenile Secretary - for a total of twenty seven years. When his own playing career finished he became a
selector and was involved with the JHL winning teams of 1981 /82, the Minor Co League winning team of 1992 and the East cork JBHC winning team of 1993. When the Club pitch was purchased Tony was very involved in fund raising and in 1983 was on the sub-committee in charge of enclosing the pitch and erecting the wire, stakes and gates. In Centenary year of 1984 the Club decided to borrow £21,000 to build dressingrooms, Tony was one of the first to go Guarantor for the Club. When club funds were very low in 1974 Tony was one of the Club Members who went and cut ash roots and got hurleys made by McCarthys of Killeagh.

Tony was immensely proud to see his sons Matt and Michael wear the green, white and gold of his beloved Bride Rovers. He took a deep interest and pride in all club teams from under age upwards and was always a source of great encouragement even in times of defeat. There was no prouder man than Tony when various Bride Rovers players donned the Red and White of Cork over the last decade. It was beyond Tony's wildest dreams to see Bride Rovers Contest County Junior, Intermediate and Senior Finals. He was one of our most passionate and dedicated supporters. He never forgot the time when we started off, before Christmas in 1964 and he was so proud and happy to see the growth of the Club. Any Development undertaken in recent years was seen by Tony as further progress and he was always the first to help when financial help was needed.

It was a sad ‘homecoming' as the Bride Rovers Club waited for the hearse bearing Tony Walsh as it came up Hollyhill to Bartlemy Village. Just yards away from where the Bandroom stood -the spot where Bride Rovers was founded in 1928, a large number of players, former players, club officers and members, many in the Rovers colours gathered. We walked in a sad, silent guard of honour with Tony on his journey to Bartlemy Church. It was a fitting tribute to Tony and a small recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Club. It was remarkable to see so many of his former team-mates mingle with hurlers from Watergrasshill, St. Catherines, Dungourney, Castlelyons, Lisgoold, Killeagh, Sars, Castlemartyr and Carrigtwohill. Truly the GAA ‘family' is a great uniting bond amongst those who gave their all for the honour of the ‘little village'. John Fitzgerald, formerly of Fort Richard, Bartlemy travelled from England for the funeral.

Tony Walsh epitomised all that is good in the GAA. He loved the games, the Cork teams - but above all he loved the Bride Rovers Club. We can never repay the debt which Tony and people like him have paid to make our Club one of the best in Cork. You were proud to wear the jersey with distinction Tony. We thank you most sincerely and we rightly grieve at your untimely passing. Truly it can be said we will not see your likes again. God bless you and keep you, may Heaven be your home, Bride Rovers forever, Bride Rovers abú.

At this time we also remember in our prayers all the deceased members & supporters, both past and present of the club and offer our deepest sympathies to their families and friends. We also remember our sporting friends & their families from clubs all across the country that also lost their lives this year.
Ar dheis De go raibh siad anam.

CONCLUSION

In concluding my report I wish to thank the Cork County Board and East Cork Board, for their assistance during what was a very busy year for our club. Particular thanks to Mairead & Barbara in the County Board and officers of the East Cork Board.

Sincere thanks to all our sponsors for their generosity right throughout the year.

I would like to thank my fellow officers past and present for all their assistance and my sincere thanks to all the committee members for their commitment to the club and for attending the fortnightly meetings which ensured its smooth running. I wish the incoming officers every success.

I want to especially mention Assistant Runaí, Willie O'Leary who has being a tremendous help to me during the year as I was forced to miss a lot of club meetings. I will be stepping down tonight but I have no hesitation in recommending Willie O'Leary for the position of Runaí.

Thanks to the Juvenile Club and to the Ladies Football and Camogie club for their assistance during the years.

I would like to thank all the players, mentors, selectors and trainers of our various teams and I wish you success in 2013.

I thank you all for attending here tonight and wish you every success, happiness and health in 2013.

Is mise le meas,

Liam De Barra
Runaí