GREAT WINS FOR Under 12’s AND Under 16’s.

The under12s played in two Shield Hurling Finals last weekend.

On Saturday, Team 1 played the Group 2 Shield Final against a Youghal side that had beaten Kilworth, St.Colmcilles, Watergrasshill and St.Colmans/Cloyne on the way to this Final. The Final was played in Mayfield.

Youghal won the toss and played with a very strong breeze in the first half but the lads started well and Youghal found it difficult to get out of their own half in the opening few minutes. In this time, Conor Healy put us a point up with a well taken free. On 10 minutes, Youghal equalised through a free of their own and added two more just three minutes later. Conor hit another free on 15 minutes but on 18 mins, Youghal cancelled that out with a free of their own. On 20 minutes Conor got his third free and followed it up with another two minutes later. Youghal got another free just before half time to leave the half time score, Youghal 0-5 Bride Rovers 0-4.

Youghal went two points up on the restart. Now aided by a strong breeze, more ball was going into the Rovers forwards and they made it count.Theo Byrd brushed off two defenders to score a goal from a very tight angle after four minutes. Rovers were now up by a point. Straight from the puck out, Jack Fitzgerald, claimed the ball, went on a run and scored a huge point from distance. On 7 minutes, Adam Hackett won the ball on the left hand side of the attack and hit the ball into the net from distance. Rovers were 2-5 to 0-6 up. The game was now end to end with Youghal doing well against the breeze but our lads tore into every tackle and chased every lost cause to force errors. Youghal got a goal with 5 minutes to go to put two points in it but the Rovers defensive work was immense and it finished Bride Rovers 2-5 Youghal 1-6. A terrific performance from everybody involved and captain Jack Fitzgerald went up to claim the Shield after the game. Team: 1. Noah Collins, 2. James O'Leary, 3. Tommy Conway, 4. Denis Skillington 5. Alex McCarthy 6. Jack Fitzgerald (Captain) (0-1), 7. Luke Fitzgerald, 8. Matthew Finn, 9. Jack Roddis, 10. Seán O'Dowd, 11. Conor Healy (0-4), 12. Conor Dorgan, 13. Eoghan Croke, 14. Theo Byrd (1-0), 15. Adam Hackett (1-0), 16, Kai Roddis 17. Patrick O'Regan, 18. Harry O'Keeffe.

SHIELD DOUBLE. It was the turn of Team 2 on Sunday and another trip to Mayfield to play St.Vincents. St.Vincents had beaten us well earlier in the year so the lads knew they had a hard 50 minutes ahead of them.

Rovers had a storming start and had the ball in the net after 30 seconds through a long range Jack Roddis free. Three minutes later, Rovers got another when a long ball in was won by Theo Byrd who fended off his man to lash the ball home. Vincents added two points from frees on 6 and 9 minutes but it was very clear that our lads were up for it, forcing some wides from the opposition through sheer hard work and determination. This was to be a theme of the game. On 15 minutes, Rovers struck again, and again, it was a long range Jack Roddis free that went all the way to the back of the net. Vincents replied with another pointed free to make it 3-0 to 0-3 after 20 mins. Vincents got a goal on 21 minutes when a long ball evaded everyone and went in. All of a sudden, Vincents were within 3 points. However, almost immediately, a quick free by Rovers ended up with Patrick O'Regan who dropped the ball in on top of the keeper who fumbled and there was Eoghan Croke to finish the rebound. Theo Byrd followed up on 24 minutes with a free to leave it, Bride Rovers 4-1 St.Vincents 1-3 at half time. Rovers started the second half almost as quickly as the first and 2 mins in, Theo Byrd had the ball in the back of the net again, getting to the ball faster than all the defenders after the keeper had made a save. Jack Roddis followed up with a point after 5 mins and Rovers now found themselves ahead by 11. St.Vincents added two points from frees on 9 and 12 minutes and added another free on 15 minutes to leave 8 points in it. It was backs to the wall stuff for the last 15 minutes as Vincents were now looking dangerous and scored 2 goals in three minutes on 18 and 21 minutes to put just 2 points in it with 4 minutes plus injury time remaining. Seven minutes of injury time were played and Jack Roddis popped over another free to put 3 in it. Rovers were chasing down every ball at this stage and putting bodies on the line in order to defend and it was heroism and braveness that saw out this game. A long free on 27 minutes from Jack Roddis popped around in front of the goal and it was Eoghan Croke who reacted fastest to get his second goal of the game. St. Vincents added another pointed free on 30 minutes but that was to be it and Rovers secured a second Shield in two days with the final scoreline of Bride Rovers 6-3 St. Vincents 3-7. Proud Captain Jack O'Donovan went up to receive the Shield on behalf of the team. Team: 1. Oisin Dorgan, 2. Liam Harrington, 3. Cameron Hoare, 4. Scott Lynch, 5. Callum Dixon, 6. Darragh Feeney, 7. Luke Fitzgerald, 8. Patrick O'Regan, 9. Jack Roddis (2-2), 10. Jack Barry, 11. Eoghan Croke (2-0), 12. Aidee Carr, 13. Cian Barry, 14. Theo Byrd (2-1), 15. Jack O'Donovan (Captain), 16. Conor Dorgan, 17. Daniel Maher, 18. Harry Fitzgerald, 19. Harry Fitzpatrick.  This was a fantastic double, well done to the players, their mentors and to all the parents as well.

 

LOTTO.  The Lotto Results for Tuesday  8th of October; the  Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 26 & 27 and there was No Winner. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Joan Dorgan, Kildinan, Eileen Barry, c/o Online Lotto, Michael Walsh, Hightown, Denis Crowley, Fermoy, Deirdre Buckley, Portaduff. Tickets at just €2 each can also be purchased from Club members and in local business outlets. A Yearly Ticket can also be purchased. Please tell friends and relations all over the place to join the Rovers Lotto.  The Jackpot for Tuesday October 15th was €6,600.

WELL DONE LISGOOLD. Hats off to Lisgoold who are through to their third County Hurling Final in five years. They beat Ballygiblin on Saturday in the IHC semi-final and face Erins Own in the Final in three weeks.

Co. FINALS. Next Sunday sees Sars and Imokilly in the Co PSHC Final proceeded by Blarney v Glen Rovers in the SAHC Final.

MEETING. The Club Executive meeting was postponed on last Monday night  and goes ahead next Monday night October 21st

UNDER 16 FOOTBALL. The Under 16s won the Rebel Og East Division 2 football championship title in Aghada on Sunday last against a spirited Fermoy side on a scoreline of 1-16 to Fermoy’s 1-7.  Despite playing into a stiff breeze in the first half the Rovers led at the break although they saw a determined Fermoy side stick with them and counter on several occasions.  The first half saw a rock solid full back line of Con McCormack, Jack Lynch and Donagh Hurley all of whom made forays forward when the opportunity arose.  Adam Kelleher, in goals, patrolled his line with confidence and with his kickouts sprayed the ball with pin point accuracy.   As ever, Cathal Barry was commanding at centre-back, with James Larkin producing his game of the season on one wing, and scoring a point to boot, with Jamie Walsh teak tough on the other wing.  Denis Fitzgerald and Éanna Lyons were up and down the field throughout with Denis scoring a point and Éanna two points from play.  The half forward line had Shane O’Dowd in the centre who led the line and scored some fabulous frees, with Matthew Kenny and Micheal Walsh on the wings putting fantastic energy and verve into the attack.  Captain Garry Quirke was the fulcrum in the full forward line with Eoghan Buckley winning and laying off some fine ball while Finn O’Driscoll terrorised Fermoy from the other corner scoring a poacher’s goal to seal victory in the second half. Robert Sweeney was first of the subs introduced followed by Calum Somers, Tadhg Cronin, Dylan Keating and Mark Hynes who all played their part in securing the win.  Unfortunately, Darragh O’Farrell, injured late in the season, missed out on the big day but gave his wholehearted support to the team.  The panel were ably assisted by stats man Rian Somers, who kept the necessary data for the management team, playing his part in the victory.   Overall, it was a tireless performance from the Rovers who now progress to the Division 2 County Semi-Final against North winners Banteer-Lyre on Wednesday 16th October. This game is on in Kildorrery at 7.30pm.  

MICK CROTTY RIP.   One of the greats of Kilkenny hurling in the 1970’s, Mick Crotty, has died. I first saw him play when we lost out to Kilkenny in the 1972 All Ireland Final. He was an ever-present in the Black and Amber jersey for over a decade. With his Club James Stephens he won two Club All Ireland Titles. In 1969 he had the unique distinction of winning two County Senior Hurling Championships in the one season -he won with James Stephens in Kilkenny and with UCC here in Cork. May he rest in peace.

JUNIOR CERT .

Well done to all who got their Junior Cert Results lately, keep up the study now.

‘RAILWAY CUP.’ RETURNS

 God be with the days when, for Gaelic gamers fans, St Patrick’s Day meant just one thing -the Railway Cup Finals in Croke Park.   The Inter Provincial Hurling and Football competitions ran from 1927 until 2016 -with a few ‘blank’ years. .   To try out the proposed New Rules for Gaelic Football the Railway Cup returns this weekend. Friday October 18th will see the two semi-finals, with Leinster playing Connacht at 6pm before Munster take on Ulster at 8pm. The two losing semi-finalists will then face off at 5:30pm the following day, before the final at 7:30pm. All four games will take place at Croke Park.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres             

                                                                      Fermoy Print & Design             

                                                                    Gerard Gubbins Construction and  Veolia