BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

 

BEST OF LUCK .

We wish we the three Cork Clubs involved in All Ireland series next Sunday all the very best. Our nearest neighbours Watergrasshill take on Tynagh Abbey-Duniry of Galway in the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship Final in Croke Park at 2.30. It’s the biggest day ever in the history of the Hill GAA. Fifty years ago they were celebrating winning their first ever East Cork Junior A Hurling Championship followed by a County title. Now half a century later they are on the cusp of All Ireland glory. Having won the Premier IHC in Cork the Hill breezed through their Munster campaign and had an easy win their All Ireland semi final. With Tipperary man Eddie Enright in charge Watergasshill have played some wonderful hurling this year -backboned by their County Senior winning Imokilly players.  Down the years Bride Rovers and the Hill had some great tussles particularly on the Tournament ‘circuit’ in the 1960’s and 1970’s but our last championship meeting was in the East Cork JHC semi final in 1998 above in Caherlag when we won by 1 8 to 1 5. Both Clubs have come a long way since.  We wish Watergrasshill the very best of luck next Sunday -we’re all East Cork people and proud East Cork GAA people. Two hours before the Hill take to the National HQ another East Cork side, Russell Rovers, line out in the Junior Final. On their second appearance at this stage the Rovers take on St Lachtains from Freshford in Kilkenny in the Junior decider.  Managed by Dave Dorgan -grandson of the late Dave Sheehan of Ballinwillin, Bartlemy, the Rovers are trained by Donal og Cusack and we wish them the very best in their quest to bring al All Ireland title back to Shanagarry/Ballycotton and Churchtown South. The third ‘leg’ of Sunday’s triple header in Croke Park is at 4.30 pm when Ballinderry of Derry and Crossmolina’s Deel Rovers meet in the Intermediate Club Football Final. An unusual pairing as both have already won the Senior Club Football Final -the Mayo Club won in 2001 and Ballinderry thew following year -both defeated Nemo Rangers in their Finals.  Meanwhile also on Sunday Kilmurry from Mid Cork take on Donegal’s Muff in the Junior Football semi final in Parnell Park and we send them best wishes also.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO;  The Lotto Results for the last Draw of 2024, Monday 30th of December were as follows. The numbers drawn were 12, 15, 20 & 28  and there was No Winner of the €8,800 Jackpot. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Orla Walsh, Coolnakilla, Brian Fenton, Watergrasshill, Brendan O’Driscoll Snr, Rathcormac , The 4 of Us, c/o Barrys and Richard Kearney, Coolequane.  From this week on the weekly Lotto Draw reverts to Tuesday nights. The Jackpot for last Tuesday night January 7th was a mighty €9,000.  Tickets are just €2 each and can be purchased from Club members and in local business outlets and online also. If your ticket has expired we would appreciate if you would enter again via https://bit.ly/BrideRoversweeklyfundraiser

COUNTY BOARD MEETINGS .  County Board  2025Schedule of Meetings for 2025 are as follows Tuesday, January 21st, Tuesday February 11th,  Tuesday, March 4th,  Tuesday, April 1st,  Tuesday, May 6th,  Tuesday, June 3rd,  Tuesday, July 1st,  Tuesday, August 5th, Tuesday, September 2nd, Tuesday, October 7th and Tuesday, November 18th. The County Convention 2025 will take place on Tuesday, December 9th. With Club Executive and Sub Committee meetings and East Cork Board gatherings as well as Rebel Og East, North and Central meeting there will never be a dull week. Roll on the games!

IN 205 WE’LL REMEMBER.

In May we will mark the 125th anniversary of the death of Fr Edmund Barry PP, widely regarded as ‘the father' of Gaelic games in our parish. He and others laid the foundations back in the 1880’s. I though of Fr Barry last Saturday evening. I was driving through Rathcormac, coming from Fermoy, about 6 o clock. It was a dark and cold January evening and there I met a group of lads -maybe seven or eight, all with sliotars and hurleys – the tradition continues. Later in the summer we will celebrate the Junior B Grade hurling team of 1975 who brought us the Club’s second ever Junior B hurling Championship-the first was in ‘66. That 1975 team was captained by our present Club President Pat O Connor. They defeated Carrigtwohill, Dungourney, St Catherines, Cobh(S.final) and St Itas in the Final.  First cousins Eddie and Seanie Barry played in both the 1966 and 1975 victories.

CORK WIN OPENER.  In front of 2,000 fans at a bitterly cold Fraher Field last Saturday the Cork Senior hurlers won their first game of 2025. The Cork v Waterford Senior Hurluing Challenge was played to rise funds for the Friends of Brian Green Fund. A former Waterford Senior hurler -like his father Jim before him, Brian has been battling serious illness and this game was staged to help him and his family. Cork had a good win with Brian Roche playing the second half and scoring a point. Eoin Roche was also on the panel. Donations can be made to the fund at https://www.gofundme.com/f/friends-of-brian-greene.

The Cork hurlers opening game in the NHL is in Wexford Park on Saturday January 25th at 5pm when the Rebels meet the Model County. If one had the gift of bi-location you could also see the Cork footballers take on Meath in their League debut -at 5pm, same day, same time but on the Banks of Our Own Lovely Lee in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

WEATHER  SPOILSPORT. The artic weather which resulted in very dangerous road conditions and sub-zero temperatures played havoc last weekend. The first in our series of Monday night runs in the Lighting Up Ireland programme was postponed. The correct decision was made on Sunday night. The plan now is to start on next Monday night  January 13th with a 7.30pm meet-up in the pitch.  In the meantime stay safe and look out for neighbours and friends especially those living alone. ‘ar scath a cheile a mhaireann na ndaoine’  - we all live in each other’s shadow and at times like this we must try and help everyone else.

CORK GAA OFFICERS APPOINTED. On recommendation of the County Board  Management Committee, the following officers were approved for 2025 -these positions are as well as the Elected Officer Board;  Children’s Officer - Donal McCarthy, Demographics Officer - Eoghan O’Connor,  Planning & Training Officer - Susan O’Brien,  Safety & Facilities Officer - Tony McAuliffe,  Rebel Óg Chairperson - Peter Watson, County Referee’s Administrator - Jim McEvoy,  I.T Officer - Terry Brady and  Fixture Analyst - Daniel Lane (Bride Rovers)

 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.

 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. Another new book just out is a very welcome History of the North Cork (Avondhu) Division, 1924-2024. Copies can be purchased through any Club in the Division.

RED FM Senior Hurling League 2025.  This year we are in Division 3 along with two of our three Championship opponents Blarney, Courcey Rovers as well as Ballinhassig, Blackrock(2), Castlelyons,  Lisgoold, Mallow, Newcestown and Russell Rovers.

SCRAP COLLECTION. We have had a few enquiries already about the next scrap metal collection. We have no definite date yet -probably the last week of January or early in February. Anything from a biscuit tin to a combine harvester will be gladly accepted. Just ring 087 538077 for collection details.

SYMPATHY.   All in Bride Rovers extend deepest sympathy to Henry Hazelwood and family on the death of his sister Ann Drinan, Main St. Castletownroche and also in Castletownroche the Community and the GAA in particular were saddened to learn of the death of Danny Relihan. A member of a renowned hurling clan Danny played with Castletown for decades and also served as a referee for many years. He’ll best be remember as a towering forward with a mighty hand to grab the sliotar.  Our deepest sympathy also to Joe Delaney of Coolnakilla on the death of his mother Brigid, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.  Since Joe came to live in our area he has been an inspirational figure in terms of community and GAA life - condolences Joe and to all the Delaney family at this sad time.  We extend sympathy to the McHugh and Fitzgerald families on the death of Joan Mc Hugh.   Joan’s father Jerome Fitzgerald of Bridestown played with the Kildinan Shamrocks back in 1931 and her late husband Pat McHugh was a member of the Watergrasshill team that won the East Cork and Cork County Junior Hurling titles in 1974. May Joan rest in peace.

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres             

                                                                      Fermoy Print & Design             

                                                                    Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia