It was with a sense of sadness and shock that we heard that Pat O Connell had died on Tuesday of last week. While he had been ill for a short time everyone in the parish was hoping that his condition was not so serious and that he could make a full recovery. Sadly this was not to be and so a great family man, a great community man and a great GAA man has left us. A native of Ballyhooley Pat came to our parish on his marriage to Mai O Donnell in Clykeel, Rathcormac. He was an outstanding farmer, progressive and keenly aware of all major developments thattook place in agriculture over the years. His first loyalty was always to his wife Mai, sons Batt and Mark and his daughter Cora. Farming full time and helping raise a family would be job enough for many people but Pat O Connell was generous with his time, which he gave freely to others. He had a great sense of local pride in his farm, his parish, his village and all the local organizations therein. He loved Gaelic games and served for many years as Grounds Officer for the Bride Rovers GAA Club. He was there in the 1990's when the Club saw phenomenal growth in terms of teams being fielded. Over the years he put in a huge amount of work in improving our playing pitch and the facilities for players. One could always rely on Pat to do what had to be done. If work was required urgently in preparation for games or after a bad spell of weather then Pat was the man. I never knew what his middle name was but as far as the GAAwas concerned it was 'reliability' - if Pat O Connell said he would do something then that job got done. There was no messing around or ifs and buts about it and we in Bride Rovers are so thankful for all the many, many voluntary hours he gave to the club. The Club Jersey was taken up to the altar along with the Cork jersey during his funeral Mass on Friday last. This was very fitting because he was a great follower of all Bride Rovers teams over the last forty years. He celebrated our wins and accepted our defeats. He loved the Cork teams too. He traveled all over Munster and Ireland in support of the Rebels. He was brilliant company going to and coming from matches. Going to a Munster Championship game, a qualifier or a vital League game with Pat was as big a journey and adventure as an All Ireland Final. He went in time and was never in a rush home. He really savored the occasions of games and the 'stop' on the way back was often as entertaining as the match itself! He was an astute judge of players and teams and he was bursting with pride over the last decade with our own Brian Murphy starring with Cork. He loved Thurles and Killarney and Limerick too and the big games in Croke Park meant everything to him. He loved horse racing too and trips to races in Galway and Cheltenham and other courses were enlivened and made occasions of great fun and crack when Pat traveled. "Twas the same going to ploughing matches or various meetings - his presence always shortened the journey.

Pat O Connell was always positive and everything he did in a voluntary capacity was to help the wider community. When a new cemetery was needed in the parish he was one of the leaders behind the campaign to secure suitable ground. His work with the Community Council was legendary. People may recall his roll as FAS liaison officer but in truth he was one of the 'get up and go' people in every committee he served upon. If something needed to be done Pat was always willing and able with no excuses.  He was fortunate that in all his commitments and volunteering he had the support of a loving and loyal wife and family to whom we extend our deepest sympathy at this sad time. I know it wont lessen their grief but they can be very proud of a husband, father and grandfather who has left a great legacy of solid work, happy memories and many, many friends behind him.

 

 

 Last week’s draw took place in Benskin’s Bar on Tuesday January the 7th for a jackpot of €11,000. The four numbers drawn were 10/18/19 24 and there was no jackpot winner.

The winners of the weekly five €30 'Lucky Dips’ were;
. Alan Mangan, Conna
. Tom Walsh c/o P.Mannix
. Gary Meade c/o John Arnold
. Alan O’Keeffe, Bartlemy
. Devlan Hoskins, Rathcormac.

This  week’s draw took  place in The Rathcormac Inn on Tuesday January 14th  for a jackpot of €11,200. Tickets for the weekly draw are just 42 each. The tickets can be bought from Club Members. The tickets are also available in local business outlets. Tickets can also be purchased online at locallotto.ie

Your ongoing support for the weekly Lotto is greatly appreciated. Every €2 is vital for the ongoing development of the Club and the promotion of Gaelic Games in the parish

 The Astro-turf pitch at the Bride Rovers Club grounds  is available for hire by contacting James Bermingham on 086 8350741. Pitch is suitable for 5 a side teams and costs €50 per hour with lights. A reminder to all those who have pre-booked the facility, if for some reason your group cannot take up their allocated time slot please let Club Officers know immediately.

 

The Tweets and Twitters have been going well all year. So many people at home and abroad are now very hi-tech when it comes to keeping in touch with the activities of the Bride Rovers Club. The online editions of newspapers are growing in popularity. Meanwhile you can follow the Club on twitter at twitter@ Bride RoversGAA or on our own website at www.briderovers.ie

Any news items or general items of interest are very welcome for inclusion and should be sent to Gerard Lane.

 

No doubt there many talented people available in our club area of Bartlemy, Rathcormac and Kildinan that would be more than anxious to take part and would be a help to the club.

Table Quiz is a new and exciting competition as it has been changed to facilitate the wishes of so many clubs rather than the individual one.

Please note the following:-
Scór Sinsir Uí Mac Coille 2014 will take place in Lisgoold Hall on Saturday 15th February, 2014, at 7.30pm.
Tráth na gCeisteanna Boird will take place, also, at Lisgoold Hall on Sunday 16th February at 7.30pm but, if possible, will be held on the Saturday night of the other competitions.
The ENTRY FORM is already with our Club Secretary William O Leary so if you are interested  please contact William at 087 2558373 or our Club Cultural Officer Mossie O Sullivan  086 8354093.   The closing date for entries is Tuesday 4th February, 2014.

 

 

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS.

Thanks to our Main Club Sponsors Rathcormac Tyres, Veoila Environmental Services and O Coileains Bar for their ongoing support.