Bride Rovers

Under 21's and Under 14's Reach County Finals.

Last Saturday was a hectic one for the Club and for followers with two teams vying for County Final places- the under 14 hurlers in the Premier 1 league and the Under 21's in the County Championship. Thankfully both teams got through to their finals which means as we enter the month of November we are still involved in seven competitions which is mighty going. It was pity that last Saturdays two fixtures were so close in time , 2 0 clock in Rathcormac and 3.30 in Riverstown which meant that most follower were unable to see both games but sin scéal eile.

Rebel Og County Under 14 Premier 1Hurling Semi Final

We were at home in Pairc Na Bride to Midleton last Saturday in the semi-final of the hurling league. We've had a great league campaign during the summer and along with Midleton, St. Finbarrs and Ballincollig we qualified for the Top 4. We played with a strong breeze in the first half. Our forwards had plenty possession and got some lovely scores and led by six points at the break. With the breeze behind them in the second half the Magpies came at us and narrows the margin to two points at one stage. Despite fierce pressure backs held firm and we finished winners on a scoreline of Bride Rovers 4-10 Midleton. 3-7.

Panel Frank O Flynn Eldon O Conor Liam Collins Cormac O Sullivan David Barry Conor Hazelwood Nicky Kelleher Ronan O Connell Cillian Tobin Denis Cashman Adam Walsh Adam Hayes Ryan O Callaghan Louis Roche Josh Ahern Ben Knox Jack Keating Cillian Barry. Well done lads on a great win. The Barrs and Ballincollig were due to meet in the second semi final last Tuesday night with County and Feile Champions St Finbarrs hot favourites to advance to the Final. In the last few years we've had some mighty hurling games against this Barrs side. It took the lads about four minutes to tog off after the game and soon they were on the way to Riverstown for the under 21 game.

Under 21's Turn On The Style.

Our Under 21 hurling team qualified for the County Championship Final last Saturday with a very impressive win over Passage West in Riverstown. Having played St. Catherines, Castlelyons, Carrigtwohill(twice) and Newcestown we were both hopeful and confident going in to a County Semi Final and hoping to reach the Final for the first time ever at this grade. We knew little enough about Passage, only that they were older and stronger than our side. We started with ten minors in the team whereas passage had half that number of under 18 players. There was a huge crowd in Riverstown on a cold but sunny afternoon when the sliothar was thrown in at half 3. It was obvious from the very start that our lads were really up for this game. An early goal from Jesse O Keeffe really settled the team and we proceeded to score some great points from play and from frees by Conor Barry. In defence our back combined very well and time after time broke up Passage attacks. A second goal from Jesse helped us into a whopping 2 12 to 0 3 lead at the break. Our hurling was very crisp and sharp and right throughout the team there was excellent work done. Players were always available to help a team-mate when the pressure came on. A point and then an excellent goal from Brian Roche after the break put us well on our way to the County Final. We were 3 17 to 0 4 ahead coming into the closing stages. Passage did manage to score 2 3 near the end but a win always seemed certain for our lads. Well done to the twenty players who took part in the game. To the backroom and management team all we can say is a job well done and the final is till to come in a few weeks. In fairness since early this year a lot of work has gone into this panel of players.Team & Scorers; Ben Hogan, Jordan Mannix, Shane Walsh (captain), Matthew Quinn, Griffin O Keeney ( 0 1), Paddy O Flynn, Ryan Prendergast, Shane O Connor ( 0 1), Eoin Roche, Conor Barry (0 6, 4 frees) Brian Roche (1 1), DJ. Cahill (0 3), Kieran Kearney(0 1), Conleith Ryan ((0 1), Jesse O Keeffe 2 4, Cian Hogan, Colm Howard, Shane O Flynn, Jack Connor, Ruairi O Sullivan.

Fermoy and Cloughduv meet in the second semi final in Pairc Ui Rinn on next Wed night Nov 7th and we await the winners of that game. The Date for the County Final depends on the progress of Fermoy PIFC team and Cloughduv JHC team in their respective Munster campaigns.

The last time we met passage in a championship hurling game was on Sunday September the 13th 1931. WE won the East Cork JAHC for the first time in 1930. In 1931 we were going well in East Cork and had beaten Midleton 9 2 to 4 2 to qualify for the East Cork Final again. However the County Board wanted to progress the Co JHC and made the East Cork Board nominate a team to go forward. As defending champions we were nominated and met Passage in the Athletic Grounds on the second Sunday of September. Passage won by 6 1 to 2 0. Links with under 21 team and the 1931 Junior team are Kieran Kearney and the Hogan brothers Ben and Cian. John Kearney, Kieran's great grandfather and Dave Hogan,great grand uncle of Ben and Cian were on that team 87 years ago.

Pictures from the game courtesy of Basil O Sullivan click on http://briderovers.ie/gallery/295397/All_Recent_Photos

CLUB LOTTO

The four numbers drawn on last Tuesday were 14, 25, 24, 27 and there was no winner This week's jackpot on Tuesday October 30th was €20,000.

€30 each went to Ian Doherty, Paul Radley, O'Flynn Family Sunnyside, Tom Collins, and Stephen McCarthy c/o LAYA.

Tickets at just €2 each are available from Club Members and in local businesses and online at locallotto.ie

Junior CHC.

After much toping and froing, fixing and efixing we got a walkover from Sars last weekend in the East Cork Junior C Hurling Championship. We are now in the semi final with no game played.

SCOR.

This coming season marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Scor back in 1969 and all clubs are asked to make an effort to revive interest in Scor. The East Cork Final of Scor na nOg for those under 17 on January 1st 2019 will be held at the start of December. Bride Rovers hope to have participants in the competition. All those interested please contact Mossy at 086 8354093

UNDER 9's WIND UP GREAT SEASON.

The U9 boys had their final session of the season on Saturday morning last when we had a mixed parish league type format with the U8s. In total there were 31 boys togged for 4 very evenly matched games. Despite the bitter cold the games were full of skill and endeavour, all 31 showing great promise for the many years of hurling ahead. Thanks to the U8 coaches and also the U10 coaches from last weekend for their involvement.
For this past season we entered into a two team format...two teams of 9 for all blitzes that we travelled to. This year we expanded our travelling to places such as Inniscarra (in dreadful rain) to play against opposition from large towns such as Clonakilty. From a skill level point of view we are more than matching our opposition teams in both hurling and football. What has been a massive positive for us has been the numbers that are enthusiastically showing up week after week. On many occasions we have had over 25 players togged which is fantastic to see. For us going forward this is very important as it will benefit all of our players to continue to grow as a team...and as friends. To the parents I say thanks as the patience and encouragement that you are showing on the sideline helps just as much as the coaching.To the group of coaches I say thanks. Surprisingly we've grown in numbers and with everyone busy with work it's great that we all know there'll be a few of us at each session or match. And we haven't fallen out once yet....but that's sure to change.
To the players the last few years have been great. They've grown from small wannabe hurling stars of the future to very capable, skilful boys in the course of a few years. While we still have our whinging and over enthusiasm at times boys will be boys and that's great to see. Each year has brought its own challenges and they've been more than capable to answer these challenges. Hopefully we'll continue to grow and enjoy all the years ahead.
To all the parents as I've said earlier the encouragement has been great. We as coaches are aware that showing up week after week is challenging but I believe that what the boys are showing as a team is showing that it works.We take a break now for a few months and will regroup for U10 next February. Hopefully we'll see you all at the Table Quiz in the Rathcormac Inn on Saturday night.

JUVENILE CLUB QUIZ ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

The Bride Rovers Juvenile Club are holding a fun/fundraising table Quiz in the Rathcormac Inn on this Saturday night November the 3rd at 8.30 and we ask for support from everyone.

Rebel Og MINOR HURLING LEAGUE.

We are fixed to play valley Rovers in the P MHL semi final on this coming Sunday November the 4th in Rathcormac at 11.30.

RED FM SHL