Pride of The Bride...

At the Annual Convention of the Cork County Board of the GAA in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Sunday Gerard Lane was elected as Chairman. As the first ever Bride Rovers Clubman to hold the highest office in Cork Gaeldom it was a proud and auspicious occasion for Gerard himself and his family and also for our Club and Community. We often hear how important 'the grassroots 'of the GAA are and that the club is the most important unit in our great Association, well Gerard Lane has truly come from the grassroots and has been a brilliant club member for decades. For the last six years he has served as PRO and vice- chairman of the County Board. These officer ships came after a decade at the helm of the East Cork Junior Board as well as years with the Divisional Juvenile Board. Holding all these positions it would be easy for one to forget 'where you came from' - not so with Gerard, he's a Bride Rovers man first and last. As a player and committee member and Board Delegate he has devoted a huge amount of time to promoting the ideals of the Gaelic Athletic Association in his native parish. He has been to the forefront in every phase of club development we have undertaken on and off the playing field. His courtesy and efficiency have been well matched by his determination and ambition.  Cork is the biggest County in Ireland and in GAA terms has the most clubs and teams. This is a time of change and renewal for Cork and a period which presents huge challenges. The redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the continued effort needed at under age level and the task of challenging for Senior All Ireland glory in hurling and football are just some of the issues which Gerard will have to tackle but no doubt with a supportive Executive and membership he will be well up for these and other tasks. At Convention last Sunday our Club was well represented on a momentous day in the annals of Bride Rovers. Present were Board Delegates Daniel Lane and John Arnold, Club President Pat O Connor, Chairman Billy Finnegan, Vice- Chairman Richie O Regan, Runai Wm. O Leary, Treasurer Dan Quill and Mossy O Sullivan Chairman of the Ladies Football and Camogie Club. Gerard is the 30th Chairman of the Board and just the sixth from East Cork. His predecessors from the Imokilly Division have been;

'Bowler' Walsh, Sarsfields, 1940- 1946.

Paddy O Driscoll, Russell Rovers,1979-1981.

Denis Conroy, Carrigtwohill,1988-1990.

Christy Cooney, Youghal, 1994- 1996.

Jerry O Sullivan, Cloyne.2009-2011.

It is a great honour to lead the GAA in Cork though the job has many responsibilities too but we in Bride Rovers are justifiably proud that 'one of our own' has taken on the mantle handed down by so many great Gaels. With the election of Tracey Kennedy of Killeagh as vice-chairman and the selection of Dan Hoare of St. Catherines as President it was a mighty occasion for the GAA in East Cork. Former Clareman -now Castlelyons Clubman Kieran McGann holds the position of Oifigigh Culturtha so Imokilly is certainly to the fore.

2015 Championship Draws.

The Draws for the Intermediate, Premier Intermediate and Senior Hurling and Football championships took place at the end of the well attended Convention. For the twelfth season in a row the Bride Rovers name was in the drum for the Cork County Senior Hurling championship draw. Our first round opponents next year will be Bishopstown whom we met in a draw and replay in Riverstown a few years back. Having been drawn against Carrigtwohill for the last two years a change is refreshing. The city club from the western suburbs will be no easy obstacle to overcome but then again they will probably say the same about us!

Development Work.

It's all systems go with the last few weeks as the building work on our new Astro Turf development project has commenced. A few years ago undertaking a huge infrastructural project costing close on €250,000 would have been seen as simply impossible. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of so many people it will soon become a reality. There will be a few months work before completion but it is great to see it underway after all the fundraising efforts. The numbers attending our two National Schools are at an all time high so extra facilities are badly needed. Hopefully every young boy and girl in the parish will have to opportunity to play and enjoy hurling, football, camogie and ladies football. Our parish population has greatly increased in the last decade. With so many 'new' people in the area now it is hoped that the Bride Rovers GAA Club will provide a common bond and place to come together for all. The aim of the club is to introduce gaelic games to all and give every child a chance to play our national games. We have top class games and the spirit of friendship and teamwork which can be engendered by playing is wonderful. Of course we all want to win but playing is essential. Our Club provides a safe, friendly and positive environment for sport.

Volunteers.

We are always seeking new players from four years and upwards and of course older players who may have played with other clubs and are now living in the parish are more than welcome to join the Bride Rovers Club. People who never played the games are encouraged to join too as we have a role for everyone. Maybe your talent is in gardening or landscaping, in IT or fundraising, in catering, cleaning, flag-making or any other of the many tasks that have to be undertaken in a busy GAA Club. Some people are afraid if they 'join up' they will be overburdened but don’t worry on that score. If you want to give an hour a week or an hour a month to the Bride Rovers Club that contribution will be very much appreciated and respected. They say 'many hands make light work' and in the case of a GAA Club it is really the truth. In the next few weeks many people will be making New Year's Resolutions -why not get involved with your local GAA Club? If you want further information on what you could do ring 087 9538077.

Bride Rovers Abu'.

At our recent 50th Anniversary celebrations in Bartlemy Hall there were several enquiries about our Club History 'Bride Rovers Abu' - yes copies are still available from the Club PRO , just phone 087 9538077.

Another publication just on the shelves is the Cork GAA Yearbook, priced at just €8 it is a great read for all Cork GAA Fans and would be an ideal stocking filler at Christmas, details from Club Treasurer Dan Quill.

Victory Social..

A joint Victory social for the Ladies Football, Camogie and GAA Clubs will be held on at the Corrin Event Centre on January the 17th. Full details after Christmas.

St. Stephen's Day Event.

A walk/ run to help people exercise a little on the Second Day of Christmas- December the 26th is being held again this year. This is a fun, easy going way of raising some funds for the Clubs and having a pleasant 'time-out' during the Holiday Season. In a few weeks it will be back to training for all teams from under 5's to Seniors so the St. Stephens Day outing is just a nice easy way of getting things moving again. Details from Club Officers.

Club Weekly Lotto.

The jackpot for Tuesday December the 9th was €6600. The four numbers drawn were 3,12,18 & 21 and there was no winner.

The winners of €30 each were Mary Browne c/o LAYA,  Joe Collins Ballinhassig Jerry Cashman Lisgoold, James O Donovan, Ballyreidy, Bartlemy,  Trevor Moloney, Rathcormac. The Jackpot for Tuesday December the 16th was €6800.

Tickets for the weekly Lotto are just €2

The tickets are on sale in local business outlets, from Club Members and can also be purchased online at locallotto.ie

There will be a Lotto Draw on Tuesday December the 23rd and again on Tuesday December the 30th.  Next Tuesday December the 23rd will be the Special Christmas Lotto with many extra prizes on offer. Your continued support for the Lotto is really appreciated.

Happy Christmas to All.

On behalf of all in the Bride Rovers GAA Club may I wish each and every one a very happy and Holy and Peaceful Christmas Season. Thanks to everybody who played with, worked for and supported the Club during 2014, we look forward to another great year in 2015.   We think of and pray for those members, supporters, former players and officers who died during the past year, may they rest in peace.

A special word of thanks to all in the Avondhu Newspaper for the outstanding service they provide to all clubs in our area.  Your help and assistance is greatly appreciated.

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. Christmas time is when we all think of those away abroad in a special way so tell them all about how to keep in touch with the Club at home and how they can still support the Club lotto online.

MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2015.

Players €100

Ordinary adult membership €50

OAP's €20

Students €30.

BON VOYAGE.

We wish Fr Gus and Fr Fachtna O Driscoll Bon Voyage this week as they both return to their Mission Work, Fr Gus in the Philippines and Fr. Fachtna in the SMA headquarters in Rome.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS.

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