Our dream of qualifying for the quarter final of the Senior Hurling championship was blown away by Midleton at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Sunday. This was a game in which we were well beaten by a very good Midleton team. We have no excuses and on the day nothing went right for the lads. Sport is very important but winning and losing games can be put into perspective sometimes and last Sundays game was one of those occasions for us. We knew coming into the game that Midleton would be a hard side to beat. They have been coming as a force in Cork Senior Hurling over the last few years and gave a scoring display on Sunday shooting 1 24 to our tally of 1 11. We scored just 1 6 from play and though we had a few wides Midleton had twice as many as us. The first half was close enough with just three points (0 11 to 0 8) in it at the break but the Midleton side went on to add 1 13 in the second period while all we could manage was 1 3. A thirteen point defeat was very disappointing, the same margin as when we lost to Erins Own in 2006 by 2 15 to 0 8, but there is no shame in losing to a better team which Midleton undoubtedly were. Both Brian Murphy and Aidan Collins were injured against Ballinhassig but thankfully Brian was able to lineout from the start on Sunday. Aidan joined the team quickly as Shane Kearney was forced off with a leg injury. To add to our woes Sean Ryan had to leave the field with a rib injury after twenty minutes. All the injuries had an unsettling effect on the team.

With Barry Johnson playing a deep 'sweeper' role, he scored four great points in the first half -two from a hundred yards out. Mike Kearney had two good points as well to keep us well in touch after twenty minutes. Sean Ryan added a great score before he was forced off. Midleton led by11 points to 7 coming up to half time before Dinny Fitzgerald put over a massive free, an inspiring score, to leave us just a goal in arrears. Our backs found it hard to contain the pacy Midleton forwards but Barry and Brian in central roles gave great leadership. Up front our inside forwards struggled for scores but we were still well in it at half time. Barry Johnson and Conor Lehane had a point for each side on the resumption but then Midleton got six points in a row to pull ahead by double scores 0 18 to 0 9. With a numerical advantage the Midleton side used the open spaces well. We scored just 1 2 in the last twenty minutes -our goal coming from Brenny O Driscoll, while they added 1 6 to fashion an easy win. That's sport for you, we came to Pairc Ui Chaoimh against Ballinhassig and turned in a super display. Last Sunday so many factors were against us but we never gave up and were still trying for scores right until the end. A word of thanks to each and every player, ye have put in a huge effort all year under the direction of Pat and Kevin. Sometimes things go right, you get a few breaks on the day and the scores come. Other times everything seems to go wrong and on Sunday last this was the case.

Team and Scorers,

D Fitzgerald(Captain) 0 1; D Carr, Barry Murphy, S Kearney; Brian Murphy, B Walsh, B Johnson 0 6 ; M Kearney 0 2, J Pratt; M Collins, B O'Driscoll 1 0, S Ryan 0 1 ; O Murphy, J Mannix, D Dooley 0 1.

Subs: A Collins for S.Kearney (4th, injured), P Murphy for Ryan (21st injured), C O'Connor for Collins (29-half-time, blood), O'Connor for Mannix (half-time), K Collins for O Murphy (52). We wish all the injured players speedy recovery and to all the players on the panel a big 'thank you' for giving your all above and beyond the call of duty.

Photographs from the Senior Hurling game v Midleton can be viewed on our website photo section, action shots gallery. Just click on www.briderovers.ie

Midleton now go on to face either Carrigtwohill or Bishopstown in the Quarter Final. For us its disappointment but we've been down before and came back to win and we'll do it again.

Minor Hurlers Win.

Our Minor Hurling team had a second championship win last week. On Tuesday night at the Mon Field they took on Kinsale in the quarter final of the competition. The game was very one-sided as our lads proved far too strong for the South East side. We got two goals in the first five minutes and after that it was never a contest and we won by a very big margin.

S. O Connor, S.Walsh, P.Noonan, T. O Sullivan, J. Buckley, R. Prendergast, D. Linehan, S. Cotter, DJ.Cahill, C. O Connor, C. Power, W. Finnegan.

On Saturday evening at Pynes Field we played Ibane Gaels from the South East Division in a practise game which the visitors won.

We play the semi final of this competition on next Monday night August the 26th in Lisgoold. Our opponents will be Cobh and the game is timed for 7 pm.

Junior Hurling League Div 4.

On this Friday evening August the 23rd we are at home to Lisgoold in the East Cork JHL Div 4. The game is timed for 7.30 in Rathcormac.

Junior Hurling World Mini Games in Cork.

The World Mini Games are on in Cork this weekend. The games cover a multitude of sports including 7 a side Gaelic Games. We have entered a Junior Hurling team in the competition. The Hurling gets underway on Sunday in CIT at 11 o clock with a panel of 12 players. Best of luck lads.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

Last week's draw took place in O'Coileán's Bar on Tuesday August the 13th for a jackpot of €6,800.The four numbers drawn were 17/19/20 & 23 and there was no jackpot winner.

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

.Julie Crowley, Scartbarry
.John O'Connor, Ballyreidy
.Ger Lane, Rathcormac
.Pat Walsh, Bartlemy
.Rachel Walsh c/o Laya Healthcare.

This week's draw took place in Barry's Bar on Tuesday August the 20th for a jackpot of €7,000.

Tickets for the Bride Rovers weekly Lotto are just €2 each. The Lotto provides valuable finance for the ongoing future of the Club. With further major development planned for Pairc na Bride raising finance is always a big issue. We urge everyone in the parish and further afield to continue to support the Lotto- each €2 is really appreciated by the Club. If you wish to join the Lotto for a year an annual Ticket can be purchased at the reduced price of €90. Full details from Club members. The weekly tickets are on sale in local business outlets. If you wish to join the Lotto and have any problem getting tickets just contact any Club member.

FAMILY FUN DAY.

On next Sunday the Juvenile and Ladies Clubs are hosting a free family Fun Day in the Pitch from 11 am onwards with a huge range of events planned.

IHC GAME PUT BACK.

The St. Catherines v Kildorrery IHC game fixed for Pairc na Bride has been put back until Saturday August 31st at 6.15.

CORK V CLARE.

Well it's going to be Munster All Ireland Final on September the 8th. Davy Fitzgeralds young side reached the final on Sunday last dismissing neighbours Limerick with some ease. Having met already this year in the Waterford Crystal Tournament, Hurling League, League Relegation Final and Munster Championship the Rebel and Banner hurlers will be well used to each other in advance of the Final for the McCarthy Cup. It should be a great game in a Final that no one could have anticipated at the start of the year.

Sponsors;

The Club wish to acknowledge the generous sponsorship of the Rathcormac Tyre Centre, O Coileains Bar and Veolia Environmental Services.