Club Notes... - 20/12/2024
Happy Christmas to all..
Here we are just a few days from Christmas with the Draws for the senior team made for 2025 and our 2024 playing season just coming to an end. Last Sunday we contested the East Cork and County Under 21 A grade hurling championship final in Castlelyons. Our hopes of a historic ‘double’ win were dashed by a strong Midleton team but we really fought hard right until the end. Over the Festive Season we will still have two Club Lotto Draws -both the Christmas Eve and New Year Ee draws have been brought forward by a day so they will now take place on Tuesday December the 23rd and Tuesday December the 30th so make sure to buy your tickets on time. On St Stephen’s Day the Annual 5K run/walk will take place. Last weekend as we were involved in our own County Final three East Cork Clubs were contesting All Ireland Club Hurling semi-finals, all three won so January in Croke Park will truly be an East Cork month.. We extend Christmas greetings to all our readers and supporters.
COUNTY UNDER 21 HURLING FINAL.
A seven point defeat in the East Cork/County under 21 Hurling A grade championship Final was the outcome in Castlelyons last Sunday. It was great game of hurling played on a perfect surface -it might be mid December but the hurling was as good as anything we see in the summer months. Of course it was a disappointing outcome and there are no ‘moral victories’, we were beaten fair and square by a good Midleton side. Having said that many a hurling game revolves on a certain incident which has a profound outcome on the result- so it was on Sunday. After a first half where we were out-hurled we came out with traditional Rovers spirit in the second half. Down 11 points, 2 11 to 0 6 at the break the lads simply thundered into the contest. All over the field we started winning ball and soon the scores came. A Cillian Tobin goal with fourteen minutes to go left us just2 12 to 1 12 in arrears and we were flying. Shortly after that Adam Walsh won a mighty ball but he was flattened- no whistle, no free. Then as he was flat on the sod Adam handpassed the sliotar -the ref deemed it a throw- free out. Midleton went down and scored the next two points. On tight margins games can be won and lost. A goal at the start and end of the first half caused us huge problems. Facing an 11 point deficit lesser teams could have thrown in the towel but in fairness our lads really responded in that second half. We lost the game but we’ve had four great games in the competition which can only benefit us in 2025 with so many of the team under age again. Well done lads and well done to men in charge of the team.
A seven point defeat in the East Cork/County under 21 Hurling A grade championship Final was the outcome in Castlelyons last Sunday. It was great game of hurling played on a perfect surface -it might be mid December but the hurling was as good as anything we see in the summer months. Of course it was a disappointing outcome and there are no ‘moral victories’, we were beaten fair and square by a good Midleton side. Having said that many a hurling game revolves on a certain incident which has a profound outcome on the result- so it was on Sunday. After a first half where we were out-hurled we came out with traditional Rovers spirit in the second half. Down 11 points, 2 11 to 0 6 at the break the lads simply thundered into the contest. All over the field we started winning ball and soon the scores came. A Cillian Tobin goal with fourteen minutes to go left us just2 12 to 1 12 in arrears and we were flying. Shortly after that Adam Walsh won a mighty ball but he was flattened- no whistle, no free. Then as he was flat on the sod Adam handpassed the sliotar -the ref deemed it a throw- free out. Midleton went down and scored the next two points. On tight margins games can be won and lost. A goal at the start and end of the first half caused us huge problems. Facing an 11 point deficit lesser teams could have thrown in the towel but in fairness our lads really responded in that second half. We lost the game but we’ve had four great games in the competition which can only benefit us in 2025 with so many of the team under age again. Well done lads and well done to men in charge of the team.
LOTTO RESULTS. The Weekly Club Lotto Results for Tuesday the 10th of December were as follows; Numbers this week were 15, 18, 26 & 31 and there was No Winner of the Jackpot of €8,200. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners; Philip & Deirde Hazelwood, Shanowen, James O’Leary, Glenagoul, Aidan Collins, Mollintoura, Breada Cotter, Castlelyons, Sadhbh MacDonagh, Pairc Dara. The Jackpot for this past Tuesday night was €8,400 and remember if you’re not in you can’t win. The Tickets for the weekly draw are just €2 each and can be bought from Club members, online and in local business outlets. If you are a regular online player and if your ticket has expired we would appreciate if you would enter again via https://bit.ly/BrideRoversweeklyfundraiser
The Lotto has been an incredible source of finance for the Bride Rovers Club since it’s inception in March 1996. This time of year many GAA enthusiasts might be thinking of a suitable Christmas gift for a Gaelic Games fan -a Yearly Lotto Ticket for €90 would be ideal -a gift that keeps giving for the year. Just contact any Club Officer.
ON HOLIDAYS.
Great to meet Ryan Prendergast, home on holidays from Canada, at the County Final Last Sunday. Looking as fit as ever we hope he will be back in a Rovers jersey before too long. In the meantime Ryan enjoy your time at home with family and friends.
FIELD DEVELOPMENT. Playing the East Cork under 21 semi final recently in the new sand-based pitch in Ballybrowney was a great end to 2024 from a Development point of view. Last spring when we began thinking of a major fundraiser little did we imagine so much progress could be made in such a short time. The impetus given by the Oskars was mighty and now we have a magnificent complex of playing facilities nearing completion. We have been so lucky to have got huge community buy-in and also great success in sourcing funds from the GAA and through the Sports Capital Funding Scheme. The weekly Lotto, the Club 100 scheme and ongoing Scrap collections have all been greatly beneficial. A lot done and a lot more to do but the progress made this year has been phenomenal. Thanks to each and everyone who has helped in any way.
THE IRISH ROVERS BOOK. Tom Fitzgerald from Kildinan was one of four intrepid vintage tractor drivers who drove a marathon last May. Tom and his three colleagues drove from John ‘o Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in England as a charity fundraiser. Their exploits have been recorded in a wonderful book recently published. The book is available locally.
HANDY DRAWS FOR 2025.
There was a mighty sense of anticipation in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Tuesday night of last week when the annual Convention was held. Before the formal business started the Draws for the 2025 Hurling and Football Championships were made. In the Senior A Hurling Championship there will again be twelve teams -three groups of four. They say there are no easy Draws anymore and certainly that’s the truth in our Championship. We are grouped with Blarney, Watergrasshill and Courcey Rovers -our 3 games will be played as the Draw was made with the Blarney game first, then the Hill and then Courceys. If we ever needed extra motivation well we have it in plentiful supply in this Draw. Killeagh, Fermoy, Carrigtwohill and Na Piarsaigh are in another Group whilst Castlelyons have Ballyhea, Bishopstown and Inniscarra to contend with. It’s December now but ‘twont be long until our thoughts turn to late July and early August.
JOIN BRIDE ROVERS CLUB 100.
A few years back as we began planning for our Club’s centenary in 2028 the Club 100 concept was put in place. With projected spending of close to One Million Euro in the coming years the need for several ‘finance streams’ is vital. The Club 100 is a method whereby supporters and benefactors of the Club can commit to financially helping the Bride Rovers GAA Club. All finance raised has gone into major Club developments in recent years. Now with massive 3 pitch Development project in Ballybrowney well under way we will need huge funds over the next decade. There are three levels of Club 100 membership; Gold, Siver and Bronze. The Gold membership costs €480 annually and for this on gets 2 Annual Club Lotto tickets plus,2 Rebel Bounty Draw Tickets and family Membership of the Club.
The Silver costs €360 and give 2 Lotto and 1 Rebel Bounty and Membership for 1 adult and 1 child or 2 children)
The Bronze option comes in at €240 and brings 1Annual Club Lotto ticket plus, 1 Rebel Bounty and individual Membership. Many people make a ‘New Year’s Resolution’ at this time of year- why not consider joining our Club 100.? Full details from any Club Officer. At the end of each year the Bride Rovers Club holds a special draw confined the Club 100 members with substantial prizes.
2 books
5 K ON St. STEPHEN’s DAY. It’s now become an Annual event and is eagerly looked forward to so once more on December 26th everyone is invited to the 5K in Rathcormac. With an 11 o clock start in the pitch the event is open to all -runners, joggers and walkers. Hopefully the weather will be favourable once more for a real fun event.
CROKE PARK GET READY FOR AN EASTERN INVASION. Last weekend was a brilliant few days for Cork teams on the All Ireland Club Championship trail. Three clubs, three victories and now three East Cork Clubs will grace the Croke Park sod next January as they attempt to win National titles. First in action last Saturday were Russell Rovers and the had a great win over Ballinacreen from Derry. The Shanaggary/Ballycotton Club will now face St Lachtains from Kilkenny on Sunday January 12th at GAA HQ. Watergrasshill had a comfortable win over Carey Faughs of Antrim to book a Final Date with Tinagh-Abbey-Duniry of Galway on the same day as Russell Rovers. A week later Sars will face Na Fianna of Dublin in the Senior Final- they had a narrow one point win over Derry’s Slaughtneil in their semi on Sunday. We wish all three Clubs all the very best as they prepare to make history in Croke Park.
EAST CORK CENTENARY BOOK.
EAST CORK CENTENARY BOOK.
Copies of the Imokilly 2010-2024 History Book are now available at €40 per copy and can be ordered from Club Officers or phone 087 9538077.
SYMPATHY; The Bride Rovers Club extends deepest sympathy to Helen Cotter of Coolnakilla on the death of her husband Tom. For decades the Cotter family have been synonymous with a wide variety of sporting activities in the parish and we remember Tom and also extend condolences to his sister and brothers and other relatives. We were all shocked to learn of the death of retired Garda Martin Healy of Fermoy. Martin was a very popular member of the Garda Siochana when stationed her in Rathcormac up until his retirement. Sympathy is extended to his wife and family and his mother. May he rest in peace.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. On behalf of everyone in the Bride Rovers GAA Club can I extend best wishes for a very Happy and Holy Christmas and a great New Year. Thanks to all who assisted our Club in any way during 2024. Special thanks to The Avondhu newspaper for such great coverage all year. Stay safe and have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas Season.
Bride Rovers Christmas Lotto Draw Result: 17th of December* -
Numbers this week were 2, 17, 26 & 30 - No Winner
Congrats to our 5 x lucky dip €50 cash winners and our spot prize winners - details to follow
Next week's jackpot on December 23rd is an incredible €8,600.
If your ticket has expired, we would appreciate it if you would enter again via https://bit.ly/BrideRoversweeklyfundraiser
Thank you again for all your support.
Christmas Lotto Draw Prize Winners
*€50 - Bride Rovers GAA Club* Nigel Murphy, Castlemagnier *€50 - Bride Rovers GAA Club* Michelle and Margaret Barry, Knocknaboula *€50 - Bride Rovers GAA Club*
Lorraine O'Keeffe, Bartlemy *€50 - Bride Rovers GAA Club* Oliver O'Connor, Bartlemy *€50 - Bride Rovers GAA Club* Mick Desmond, Bartlemy *Bottle of Red and White Wine - BrideRovers GAA Club* Lisa Keating, Blackpool
Bonus Spot Prizes for the Christmas Draw winners are
- Ann Forde,
- “The Dirt Birds”,
- John Murphy,
- Kieran Wolfe,
- Lisa Keating,
- Daddy, Mammy & Daire Lane,
- Annette Walsh,
- Brian Cronin,
- Stephane Jones
- Batt Dorgan (Fermoy)
- Mossie O’Sullivan
- Niamh O’Donoughue
- Una Hartnett
- Oisin Casey
- Margreat Fitz (Fermoy)
- Andy O’Regan
- Colin Campbell
- Fintan Lawlor
- Claire Scanlon
- Gary & Gretta Clerkin
- Pat Kelleher
- Mick Goold
- Kevin Carey
- Niamh Cavanagh
- Pat O’Connor
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
