Many people make New Year Resolutions at this time of year to give up things or start new venture well if you haven’t been a regular buyer of a Bride Rovers Lotto ticket each week this might be a great time to start -or restart! The first weekly draw for the New Year of 2026 was held on Tuesday 6th of January with a huge Jackpot of €19,600. The 4 Numbers drawn were 3, 5, 13 & 15 and there was No Jackpot Winner on the night. Congrats to our Christmas Draw lucky dip €30 cash winners Breda Foley, Kildinan, Michael Walsh, Hightown, Olivia Hegarty, Killmurren, Greg Ahern, Hightown, Dan Smyth, c/o Online Lotto This week's Jackpot on Tuesday January 13th was an incredible €19,600. If your ticket has expired we would appreciate if you would enter again via Bride Rovers GAA Lotto.
Tickets for the Lotto are just €2 each and can be bought from Club member, in local shops and online. Remember if you’re not in you cant win!
WALKING 2026 STARTS. Well done to all who gathered at the Community Field last Sunday morning for the first 'Healthy Club Steps Challenge' walk of the year. The weekly walks will run each Sunday until February 15th. With over 20 walkers, this was a very positive first week and everyone is welcome to come along on Sunday next or any Sunday. Young and old are welcome to come along.
The Healthy Club Committee (Orla Dorgan, Catherine Hegarty and Brenda Ryan were joined by juvenile section Chairperson Gary Clerkin and club Chairperson James Bermingham lead the walkers on Sunday morning last.
SEAN MURPHY RIP. Our stalwart player of many years Sean Murphy was laid to rest in Ballintotis cemetery, Castlemartyr on Thursday of last week. It was a wet and windy day but Sean got a great send-off befitting a great Gael. Over the last week so many stories and anecdotes have been told concerning Sean in his playing days. He was so highly regarded in the Bride Rovers Club. Everybody that played with Sean remembered him coming to training and games in his Green VW Golf motor car -that trusty vehicle clocked up a lot of miles for Bride Rovers over many, many years. For thirty years Sean worked in Imokilly Co-op in Mogeely, a great centre of employment in East Cork. Our Club Chairman David John Barry when shopping in Rathcormac or Fermoy would always finish his grocery list by asking ‘And a pound of Sean Murphy’s butter’ !
Seán Murphy RIP
Sean Murphy's trusty VW Golf near the Bus, 1979.
DOWN THE YEARS.
Our Premier Senior Championship opponents this year will be Newcestown, St Finbarrs and Midleton. We have played all three Clubs over the years since our elevation from Junior Ranks in 1999. Over the next few weeks we might have a lookback at some of these games. Back in October 2002 we drew with Erins Own in the East Cork Junior A Grade Football Final on Sunday the 20th. The replay was the following Saturday when we lost by double scores 2 10 to 1 5. The County Board fixed our County Intermediate league semi final for the following (Bank Holiday) Monday. We hadn’t caught a hurley since Saturday June the 29th when Ballymartle had beaten us by 1 16 to 0 13 in Pairc Ui Rinn in the Championship. The Board said the League semi final had to be played -as it turned out the League Final wasn’t played until the Spring of 2003. With seventy or more supporters we travelled to Newcstown on the Monday. Despite the lack of hurling practise the team played well but the absence of the injured Brendan Walsh was a big loss and we lost by jut two points 1 7 to 0 8. IN 20220 during covid we played Newcestown in the quarter final of the new Senior A Hurling Championship. Played in Blarney the game was a huge disappointment for us. We trailed by 1 7 to 0 4 at half time and lodst by 1 14 to 0 11 in the end. Team & Scorers; C. Hogan, F. Collins, B. Murphy, T. O Sullivan, S. O Connor, E. Roche, S. Walsh 0 1, D. Dooley (Captain), K. Kearney 0 1 , W. Finnegan 0 5 , 4frees, 1 65,), R. Prendergast, P O Flynn ,J. Mannix, C. O Connor 0 2 frees, B. Roche, M. Quinn, M. Collins, C. Ryan, C. Barry 0 2, 1 free. Our most recent meeting with the Carbery men was In July of last year. On a balmy evening in Riverstown we met in the RED FM SHL Div 3 Final. Level Bride Rovers 0 10 to Newcestown’s 1 7 at half time the second half was a thriller. Newcestown were four up near the end but we came back to level. Extra time then and we captured the League Trophy on a scoreline of 1 29 to 3 16. Team; C Hogan; D Cashman, J Peters, E Roche; C Hazelwood, C Tobin, S O’Connor; C O’Sullivan, D Barry; C Ryan, C Barry, A Walsh; J Mannix, R O’Connell, L Roche. Subs: K Cotter for Roche (half-time), K Kearney for D Barry (44-47, temporary), Kearney for Mannix (48), D Dooley for Tobin (half-time in extra time. Scorers; A Walsh 0-13 (0-9 f), C Barry 0-6, L Roche 1-2, C Ryan, D Barry, R O’Connell 0-2 each, S O’Connor, D Dooley 0-1 each.
WELL DONE THE AHERNS! Lisgoold Point to Point Races were fixed for last Sunday week in Ballindenisk but frost caused a postponement until last Saturday when the meeting went ahead. The 4th race last Saturday was the Kepak Open Race for Novice Riders. The result was a mighty win for the Ahern family of Monanig, Bartlemy. The French bred King Alex trained by Garrett and ridden by his son, senior hurler Josh, was the winner by 12 lengths. Well done to the Ahern family on a great success.
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’ was 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 nearly completed 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 including a pair of Pairc UI Chaoimh Premium tickets for a year.
CORK’S NHL PROGRAMME.
The 20026 National Hurling League for Cork begins on Sunday January 25th at home v Waterford, Feb 1st v Galway away, Sat Feb 7th v Tipperary home, Sunday March 1st v Kilkenny away, Sat March 7th v Limerick away, Sat March 21st v Offaly home.
50 YEARS AGO- 1976. At the Club AGM Tom Barry NT stressed the need to improve Club structures so it was agreed to elect a General Purposes Committee of 6, 2 members each from Rathcormac, Bartlemy and Kildinan. The 1976 GPC selected was Rathcormac Eddy Barry, Pat Hoskins, Kildinan; Batt Dorgan, Paudie Collins and Bartlemy; Tony Walsh, Mossy Dooley.
CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING. James Bermingham, Club Chairman, presided over the first Club Executive Meeting for 2026 on last Monday night January 12th. A lengthy Agenda was dealt with. Further details next week.
CORK COUNTY BOARD MEETINGS FOR 2026. First meeting is on next Tuesday, January 20th,Tuesday, February, Tuesday, March 3rd, Tuesday, April 7th, Tuesday, May 5th, Tuesday June 2nd, Tuesday, July 7th, Tuesday, August 4th, Tuesday, September 1st, Tuesday, October 6th, Tuesday, November 17th The County Convention for 2026 will be on Tuesday December the 8th.
CORK v LIMERICK. Limerick were clear winners in the Munster League game against Cork in the Gaelic Grounds last week. Eoin oche and Cillian Tobin played with Cork on the night. Cork had an experimental side on duty but Limerick with many of their stars on duty looked very good.
O DONNELL ABU. Well done to Canon James O Donnell Emeritus PP Macroom who last year celebrated the 70th Anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood. On Sunday last Canon James was back celebrating mass in his home parish of Castlelyons along with his brother Archdeacon Neilius. James O Donnell played Minor Hurling with our minor team St. 'Bartholomew’s in the 1940’s.
CALENDARS.
Well there’s been a mighty reaction to the 2026 calendar -it’s a wonderful production. Again a very sincere ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has bought the Club Calendar for 2026 to date and also to the many businesses who took advertising on it. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards the Senior Hurling Training Fund.
Calendars are still available to buy in SPAR Rathcormac and Dooleys Bakery. It will make an ideal New Year gift for Bride Rovers people home and away.
DINNER DANCE/ VICTORY SOCIAL. Well the Tickets are on Sale for our Victory Social on February 14th. It might seem a long way away but make sure not to be disappointed- get your Tickets now. Make sure to join us for what’s guaranteed to be an amazing night celebrating our County Champs! Don’t miss out—tickets will go fast! Grab yours and be part of an unforgettable celebration at The Radisson Hotel on Saturday 14th Feb 2026. B&B Rates Available at €165. Contact hotel directly. For Tickets contact Club Officers as soon as possible
WELL DONE KILBRITTAIN. On Saturday last at HQ on Jones’ Road the Kilbrittain Junior Hurlers were crowned All Ireland Champions. The battling West Cork side had a thrilling one-point win over the Sligo and Connacht champions Easkey. Well done to all concerned.
CONDOLENCES. The Bride Rovers Club extend sincere condolences to the Kenny family on the death of Oisin. The Kenny family settled in Rathcormac and have become such an integral part of the community. The death of Oisin at such a young age is a terrible blow for Gillian and family. We offer our sympathy and our support. Condolences also to the family of Sadie O Brien, Fermoy. A mighty GAA woman all her life Sadie was wife of Pat a Fermoy GAA stalwart-Pat trained our Junior B Football team back in 1989. Sincere sympathy to Pat and all the family. Sympathy is extended also to the family of Katie Browne nee Reynolds of Glanworth. Katie was a grand aunt of our Senior Hurler Kieran Kearney and a close relative of Fr Seanie and Sr. Patricia Barry of Main St.
SPONSORS; The Bride Rovers GAA Club sponsors are Fermoy Print & Design, Rathcormac Tyres, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veoila -please support our sponsors whenever you can.
