BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

UNDER 16’S PIPPED IN CO. FINAL & WIN LEAGUE

They say all good things must come to an end and so it was for our gallant under 16 football team last Sunday.   In reality it was a hectic week for the lads with two Finals in literally four days.  They won the league Title (East) on Wednesday night and then had to face into the Championship Final on Sunday morning.

 So the Bride Rovers under16s finished their season with two games: success in the East Division 2 League Final and unfortunately a narrow loss in the Division 2 County Final, their first and only loss in football during the year.   

The week started on a high note in a tough victory in the league final against an Erins Own side who were well motivated after losing to the Rovers earlier in the season.  Played under lights above in Caherlag on Wednesday night this was a great contest. The match was a hard-fought affair but our boys ultimately came out on top on a 5-8 to 2-10 scoreline.  The panel on the day was: Adam Kelleher, Calum Somers, Cathal Barry, Robert Sweeney, James Larkin, Garry Quirke, Jamie Walsh, Éanna Lyons, Denis Fitzgerald, Micheal Walsh, Shane O’Dowd, Matthew Kenny, Con McCormack, Finn O’Driscoll, Eoghan Buckley, Tadhg Cronin & Cormac Lyons. After the game team Captain Garry Quirke was presented with the League Cup.

 

COUNTY FINAL. This was followed four days later by the Division 2 County final against Naomh Aban from Ballyvourney. The game was played in Bishopstown at 10.30 on Sunday morning.  Naomh Aban, West Division winners has beaten the Mid winners Kilmurry in their semi-final while the Rovers had come out on top against North winners Banteer/Lyre.  It was evident from the outset that Naomh Aban had good football pedigree as they set up with thirteen behind the ball and frustrated the Rovers lads while also breaking quickly once they got possession.  While the Green and Gold went in 6 points down at half time (2-6 to 1-3) they regrouped and started to figure out the Naomh Aban system and slowly started to reel them back in restricting them to 5 points in the second half.  Unfortunately they ran out of time in the end having got back to within 2 points with a final scoreline of 2-11 to 2-9.   Overall, a tremendous effort on the day and a terrific performance all year, with two titles won, an East Division 2 Championship and League.   County Final Panel:  Adam Kelleher, Robert Sweeney, Jack Lynch, Jamie Walsh, James Larkin, Éanna Lyons, Cathal Barry, Garry Quirke, Micheal Walsh, Shane O’Dowd, Matthew Kenny, Denis Fitzgerald, , Con McCormack, Finn O’Driscoll, Eoghan Buckley, Donagh Hurley, Mark Hynes, Calum Somers & Tadhg Cronin.  You’d sometimes wonder is it fair to lads of this age to have to play two very important Finals in such a short space of time? Fair play to our lads, they have had a superb season ; thanks to the players, their families, supporters and all those in charge of the training and coaching of the team.

CLUB WEEKLY LOTTO

The Lotto results for the last draw in October on Tuesday 29th of October – The numbers drawn were 2, 14, 19, & 24 and there was  No Winner

TWO WINS FOR UNDER 15’s.

Under15 Hurling Championship V Eire Og.

We welcomed Eire Og on the bank holiday Monday for our championship quarter final. Despite an Under 21 championship game just finishing the pitch was in fantastic shape so huge credit to Denis Ahern.

We started brightly with points from Cathal, Finn, Michael and Fionn Lynch. Eire Og kept in touch with a couple of frees before Fionn Lynch gathered possession along the endline and finished with aplomb for his first goal at U15 level. We continued to dominate in all areas to hold a commanding lead at half time....1-9 to 4 points.

We continued along similar lines in the second half with us being able to introduce several subs for their championship debuts. We finished with 2 sublime goals from Oliver which left us with a 3-16 to 6 point win. 

This was a great result with a great mix of new lads being introduced. We've now qualified for the P2 semi final v Mallow on Sunday Nov 10th at 2:30pm in Bishopstown.

 

Under 15 Football Championship v Na Piarsaigh

We travelled to the Northside of Cork City and the  Na Piarsaigh  grounds on Saturday last for a quarter final. We started brightly with a goal from Michael and 2 points from Oliver to see us leading by 1-2 to a point after 15 minutes. However the home side finished the better with consecutive points to leave us just 1 ahead at the break. Na Piarsaigh dominated the second half with us looking likely to leave empty handed with 8 minutes to go and 7 points behind. However we saw some great fighting spirit with some great scores from Finn, a goal from Oliver and a monster point with 30 seconds to go from Michael to leave the game tied. With a winner on the day we were forced into extra time and again Na Pirasaigh started strongly with 2 points. On our next attack Na Piarsaigh conceded a penalty following good pressure from our forwards. This was dispatched by Finn to leave us 1 point ahead at half time. The second half of extra time was tight and tense. We scored a point to ease some pressure but Na Piarsaigh then attacked relentlessly. With 5 minutes to go Na Piarsaigh scored from a free to leave the minimum. Our backs defended relentlessly and with 30 seconds to go Na Piarsaigh had a free to equalise. However again our backs defended with great determination and we held out.

This was a great example of the determination and honesty from this bunch of lads who are starting to gel nicely. We've had 32 players tog for the last 2 games with semi finals in both codes upcoming. Our next football game is v Ballinora on Nov 17th.

 GOLDEN MEMORIES FOR FERMOY.

Next Sunday November the 10th marks the 50th Anniversary of Fermoy’s win in the 1974 Cork Junior Football championship.  Having defeated Kilworth, Mitchelstown, Kildorrery, Na Piarsaigh and O Donovan Rosas Fermoy faced Castletownbere in the County Final. Sam Maguire Park in Dunmanway was the venue for the decider against  the Beara champions. It was a low-scoring affair with the West Cork side leading by 0 6 to 0 3 at half time. A Tom Lardner goal early in the second half was the decisive score. Level at 1 3 to 0 6 Patsy Lonergan soon added a point but Castletown levelled.  Points from Patsy and Kieran McGann put Fermoy ahead by two. The Beara men got one back but Fermoy held on to win by 1 6 to 0 8. Team captain was Dave Magnier -his father had captained Fermoy to the 1936 Junior Football title.  From a Bride Rovers point of view we had County Champions to the right and to the left of us with the Hill winning the Co JHC that year. Well done to the Fermoy team of Donal Richards, Jerry Galvin, Jim Slattery Jim Noonan, Charlie Chambers, Dave Magnier Captain,  Tom Prendergast, Kieran McGann 0 1,  Danno Moloney, Brian Higgins 0 1,  Charlie O Sullivan, Martin Dennehy 0 1, Patsy Lonergan 0 3, Tom Lardner, 1 0, Raymond Ennis.   A few are gone to their Eternal Reward but congratulations to a great football team.

 GAA TALK. At 3 0 clock last Saturday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh there was a very interesting GAA Lecture linking a family right back to 1884.. Tyrone GAA historian Donal McAnallen spoke on GAA Founder John McKay who worked as a journalist with the Cork Examiner in 1884. McKay married Ellan Browne from Ballyclough in North Cork. The couple eventually moved to London. They died there and are both buried in Kensall Green cemetery. During the GAA 125 year back in 2009 a headstone was erected on the McKay/Browne grave.  The McKay family living in England knew absolutely nothing about their Irish/ Cork/GAA heritage until Donal McAnallen, after exhaustive research, put the amazing ’jigsaw’ together. John McKay’s great grandson Patrick along with his son Simon were in Cork for the weekend. On Friday they attended a special event in Hayes Hotel Thurles and then travelled to meet their Browne cousins in Ballyclough.  On Saturday Cork GAA CEO welcomed all present at the talk and later Co Vice Chairman Noel O Callaghan made a presentation to the McKays.

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.

 

SCIATH NA SCOIL FINAL ON MONDAY. Best of luck to the Bishop O Brien NS  Bartlemy girls football  team who contest their Section Final on Monday Nov 11th at 1.15 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.  Their opponents are Waltertown NS (Cobh), best of luck girls.

 

  CAR BOOT SALE.

Thanks to all who helped with the Parish Development Fund monthly Car Boot sale last Sunday.

CO FINALS. East Cork are really to the fore in County Hurling Finals this year. Last Saturday night Lisgoold and Erins Own played a thriller in the Final of the IAHC with Kieran ‘Hero’ Murphy living up to his name with a brilliant equaliser near the very end. The replay is on next Sunday before the Watergrasshill v Carrigaline PIHC Final. We wish the Hill all the best in the Final.  Hard luck to St. Catherines who lost out to a good Russell Rovers side in the PJHC Final.

THE LATE EAMONN O NEILL. The community was shocked last week when we heard of the sudden death of Eamonn O Neill. Eamonn was a native of Midleton but has been in business in Rathcormac for thirty years. He built up a very successful Fireplace and Stove enterprise at Main St. He has been involved in so many aspects of community life here and was a great GAA man serving as an umpire for years. His grandchildren play with Bride Rovers and Eamonn was  a great supporter of our fundraising campaigns over the years. A talented singer and actor Eamonn was such a positive person and friend to so many. We all mourn his passing and extend our deepest sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace.

AGM.  It’s still the playing season but we are getting near the Bride Rovers Club Annual General Meeting. The date is Monday week November 18th at 7.30pm. Old and new members are always welcome to attend.

 BARRYS BAR.

Barrys Bar, Main St Rathcormac is open once more and we wish the new staff and management all the very best.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veoli.