Club Notes - 2013-09-03 13:53:00
Go For It Cork....
It's only seven years since the Cork Senior hurling team contested the All Ireland Final but it seems like an age, then in Cork we have great expectations when it comes to hurling. Cork have won the All Ireland on thirty occasions- just four less than Kilkenny so a seven year absence seems like a veritable famine. On next Sunday Cork take on Clare in what is only the second ever 'All Munster' All Ireland Final, the first being Clare and Tipperary. As hurling counties go Cork have a magnificent record. Since the GAA was founded in 1884 no decade has passed without at least one Senior Hurling title coming South. Limerick are forty years waiting for another Liam McCarthy win while Waterford's wait stretches back to 1959. For decades Clare were the 'whipping boys' of Munster hurling but since they captured their second and third titles in the 1990's the Banner have been there or thereabouts in terms of being a top hurling county.
Both Cork and Clare have travelled the road less taken to get to next Sunday's Final. They met in early summer in the gaelic Grounds in Limerick in the Munster semi-final. Clare had earlier dumped Cork out of the first Division of the national Hurling League and entered the Provincial championship game as hot favourites. With a team built on recent under 21 successes Clare, under the management of not so shy Davy Fitzgerald were expected to repeat the League result. As so often in the past Cork turned in a masterful display, none better than our own Brian Murphy who gave a great defensive exhibition. On then to the Munster Final but unfortunately Brian was sidelined for this game. In our Senior Championship tie against Ballinhassig Brian received a very serious injury. The medical prognosis was that Brian Murphy's season was over as the general expert opinion was that a minimum period of six months recovery would be required. That was June and now it's September and Brian is back. Showing that steely determination and a huge personal sacrifice in terms of rehab work Brian Murphy has battled back to full fitness and hopefully will be an integral part of Cork's bid for glory on Sunday next. Brian was back for our Club Championship game against Midleton. We lost the game but Brian came through it unscathed. Now in his tenth season with the Cork Senior Hurlers Brian has All Ireland medals from 2004 and 2005 and along with Tom Kenny is the only link with those Cork teams. Next Sunday will be a proud day for the Murphy family who give so much to the Bride Rovers Club. Having a player on the Cork team is very special and Bride Rovers Club are immensely proud of Brian and the whole parish will be behind him. If we had two hundred tickets for Sunday it wouldn't satisfy the demand, such is the interest in the game. Since Cork lost the Munster Final to Limerick they have had great wins over Kilkenny and Dublin while Clare's route through the qualifiers culminated in a great semi-final win over Galway. Make no mistake about it Clare deserve to be installed as favourites based on form alone. Cork have a great tradition but tradition on it's own never won anything. Jimmy Barry Murphy and his selectors have displayed great faith and belief in this Cork team. Cork have thirty and Clare just three All Irelands so next Sunday it could well be that thirty one Counties are behind Clare. It's all down to the game on the day however and on behalf of everyone in Bride Rovers and all who ever wore the green, white and gold we wish Brian Murphy and Cork the very best. Club Officers will have a hectic time as more tickets are sought but that's all part of All Ireland week and wouldn't thirty other counties love to be there on Sunday? Lets see plenty Red and White colours over the weekend! Safe travelling to all who are making the journey to Dublin. Tickets for the After Match Function in the Burlington Hotel are still available. Details from Club Runai.
Rebel Og Minor Final.
While thoughts are on Croke Park on Sunday we have a very important game on Friday night. Our Minor Hurlers are in the East Region Rebel Og Minor Final. At the start of the season we took the decision to enter the 12 a side competition as we had just five players up to the age of eighteen. We have had a good run in the League and have recorded three Championship wins. To date Grenagh, Kinsale and Cobh have been defeated with easy victories. Our opponents on Friday night are Tracton. They have had two wins over Ballygarvan and Brian Dillons - Dillons were viewed by many as favourites to win out the competition. We go into Friday night's final without a really competitive game but nevertheless the team has produced great hurling all year. Last weekend four of the team were involved with Cork underage squads and we will be hoping for a good display from all the squad on Friday night. The game is fixed for Cloughduv at 6.15. It is very early but we hope to have good support for this team. Go for it lads and best of luck.
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
Last week's draw took place in The Rathcormac Inn on Tuesday August 27th for a jackpot of â¬7,200. The four numbers drawn were 4/7/15 & 27 and there was no jackpot winner.
The winners of the five â¬30 'Lucky Dips' were;
.James O'Donovan, Ballyreidy
.Brian Murphy, Rathcormac
.Ann Barry, Knockadroleen
.Claire Lynch, Dungourney
.Billy Finnegan, Rathcormac.
This week's draw took place in Barry's Bar on Tuesday September the 3rd for a jackpot of â¬7,400.
IHC GAME IN PITCH.
Thanks to all who helped with the stewarding of the IHC game in Pairc na Bride last Saturday night. Well done to St. Catherines on their win over Kildorrery. Well done also to neighbouring clubs Fermoy, Watergrasshill and Castlelyons who are all progressing well in their respective Championships.
BEST OF LUCK WATERFORD.
Well it will definitely be Waterford against Galway in the Minor Final on Sunday in Croke Park. We wish Waterford all the very best as they try and capture the Irish Press Cup for the first time since 1942. With a huge contingent from West Waterford clubs like Ballyduff Upper, Shamrocks, Ballysaggart and Modeligo will be anticipating a win on Sunday. Galway are kingpins in Minor Hurling over the last decade but this is a great Waterford side so good luck to the Decies.
CAR BOOT SALE.
The next Parish Development Car Boot Sale is on Sunday week September 15th. Volunteers are always wanted on the day and on the Saturday morning previous. If you can give an hour or two please contact any club officer.
FIXTURES.
Friday September 6th Rebel Og East Minor Hurling Final Bride Rovers v Tracton, 6.15 in Cloughduv.
Sunday September 8th All Ireland Senior Hurling Final Cork V Clare Croke Park.
SPONSORS;
The Bride Rovers Club wish to acknowledge the generous sponsorship of the Rathcormac Tyre Centre, O Coileains Bar and Veolia Environmental Services.
