Oh, what a Night!..

It might have lashed rain for hours but for the thousand people present at Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium last Friday night the weather made no difference. In February when the Club Finance and Development Committee met to consider various methods of major fundraising for the year different ideas were tossed and turned and teased out. In the end we settled on a Night at the Dogs in Curraheen Park. In last weeks notes I erroneously stated that it was back in the eighties that we last promoted such a venture when we held a benefit meeting in Youghal.  In actual fact we had a successful event in Curaheen a few years back. So it was with a great sense of anticipation that this years venture went into planning mode about six weeks ago. With a huge development just underway in our Club Grounds Pairc na Bride we needed a major cash injection. In fairness club members put in a huge effort selling tickets and dog nominations and obtaining sponsorship for races and for the Race Card. The response throughout the parish and outside it was just brilliant.

The night itself was absolutely top class in terms of organisation, attendance and enjoyment. It was great to see so many familiar faces present on the night. For many of us greyhound racing is not on our regular menu of pastimes but I can say after Friday night it wont be surprising to see a few new converts to the sport. The Club Officers deserve great praise for coordinating everything over the last few weeks to ensure a great nights entertainment for all. It was also mighty to have a few local winners like the Kellehers of Ballinahina and Christy Corcoran of Fermoy. The three Donkey derbies provided great entertainment but again this scribe must apologise for a lapse in concentration which meant Colette, Lisa and Eleanor were approaching the finishing line before I realised the race had even started! 

For the juvenile members of the club it was great to lead out the dogs and be part of the presentations afterwards and we thank all their parents for helping out with the arrangements. Our two National Schools promoted the event by means of an Art Competition and we sincerely thank the teachers and school staffs for facilitating this and thanks to Noreen for playing her part. Any major fundraiser like this takes a huge amount of energy and time from a large number of people. In fear of forgetting anyone  I wish to collectively thank each and everyone who contributed in any shape or form to the success of the Night at the Dogs. I must however mention the Race Card on the night. It has been the talk of the parish, It's a magnificent publication and a credit to Liam Barry and all the staff at Fermoy Print. The Race Card served it's purpose on the night but will also be used as a Business Directory going forward. Finally to John and Mick a big Thank You for the  photographs and of course the same to the Management and Staff at Curraheen Park for your excellent cooperation and assistance. 

Anyone who wasn't able to attend last Friday night and wants a copy of the Race Card just contact any Club Officer.

Pictures from last Friday night can be seen on the club website www.briderovers.ie.

1969 East Cork Final.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCN7i8hBbkY

An interesting item has recently appeared on uTube via the Carrigtwohill GAA Club. It's a short film sequence from the drawn East Cork Junior Hurling Final of 1969 between ourselves and Carrigtwohill.

WEEKLY LOTTO.

Last week’s draw took place in O’Coileán’s Bar on Tuesday Sept 30th  for a jackpot of €4,600. The four numbers drawn were 1,8, 10 and 20 and there was no jackpot winner.

The winners of the five €30 'Lucky Dips’ were;
. Cliona Quinlan, Quarter Lane
. Caragh Arnold, Bartlemy
. Nigel Murphy c/o T. Mulcahy
. Mark Troy, Monanig
. Oliver O’Connor, Bartlemy.

This  week’s draw took  place in Colm Barry’s Bar for a jackpot of €4,800.

 Twitter and Tweet. And Website.

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. Please inform family members, relations and friends of Bride Rovers about the ways and means of keeping in contact with the Club.   The big news on the Twitter Front this week is that  the club has reached a 1000 followers on Twitter. Well done and keep spreading the good news far and wide.

WELL DONE GIRLS.

In all the hurly burly of last week we forgot to congratulate Grace, Eleanor and Jennifer on their involvement with the Cork team which won the All Ireland Ladies Football Final v Dublin in a thriller. Well done girls.

EAST CORK JBFC.

We are billed to play Cloyne in the first round of the East Cork Junior B Grade Football championship on this coming Saturday October the 11th. The game is timed for 4 but the venue is not confirmed, [possibly Dungourney.

 BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS.

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