Club Notes... - 2022-10-09 05:00:00
Earlier this year the new Under 19 grade in hurling and football looked like a non-starter with several clubs pulling out altogether. Eventually it got going and for us in Bride Rovers the Hurling Championship reached a very successful conclusion last Saturday evening. We were crowned East 1 Champions after a mighty win over St. Catherine’s after an absorbing Final in Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park in Watergrasshill. In olden times local rivalries were what made the GAA great. I suppose in modern times with Rebel Og , North, East, West Central and Minor Boards the ‘local derby’ matches might have less of an attraction but when push comes to shove there’s a great history and tradition of games ‘tween the Rovers and Catherine’s. That was well reflected Saturday evening with a fine crowd present for a 5pm throw-in. Though the new grade was a slow starter it got going well when it came to the semi final stages back in August. We had a mighty 0 21 to 2 12 win over Fr O Neills in a cracker of a match in Caherlag. The same weekend St Catherine’s beat the Hill by 0 17 to 1 10. Wisely the County Board left the different u 19 finals over until after the adult championships. We had hope to be playing in the SAHC County Final next Sunday but that did not materialise. Once we lost the semi final to Fr O Neill’s the under 19 Final was pencilled in immediately. In essence our team was nearly an under 18 team with just Team Captain Edmond, Jacob and Darragh over age for next year. Eoin Coleman of Youghal threw in the sliotar spot on time. A lovely point from Louie Roche opened our account but scores were level after Catherine’s pointed a 65 -five of their first half scores came from placed balls. Adam Hayes pointed a free before Cillian Tobin scored a beauty. Two further frees made it 0 3 apiece after ten minutes but we had also had three wides. Ronan O Riordan prevented two certain points by bringing the sliotar down and to safety. It was tit for tat with very close marking. Our defence was under fair pressure but Liam and Conor coped well and were well supported. Ronan O Connell added a point and three more from Adam Hayes saw us lead 6 /5 after eighteen minutes. Corner back Kieran Cotter travelled the length of the pitch to raise a massive white flag. At times we threatened to build up a good lead but some bad wides prevented this and we were .just one point ahead at half tome 0 9 to 0 8. Playing with several stitches in his hand after the O Neills game Adam Walsh showed tremendous courage to line out. For the second half he moved around , eventually going into the edge of the square. We restarted very well and points from Adam Hayes and Cillian put us three ahead 11 to 8. It seemed we’d kick on then but back came the Ballynoe/Conna side with two white flags to reduce the margin to a single point. The game was in a balance now and twice Ronan made vital saves as both sides sought a goal to get on top. We went 12 to 10 ahead when the crucial score came. Adam Walsh was n the right place to score a great goal. Well that score really ignited the lads. With Davy Barry and Ronan on top at midfield we tore into the Final with some great hurling. We opened up a 2 14 to 0 10 lead -our second green flag coming from Edmond Cashman. Points from Adam, Cillian and Josh made it 2 18 to 0 14. Then Edmond turned provider with a beautiful pass to Cillian who scored our third goal, now the lads were flying and the big Rovers following were in great voice. St. Catherine’s got a late goal but we won by 3 18 to 1 14. A great win for a great team-what brilliant hurling these lads have displayed over recent years. Since they came together at under 12 level in2016 they have been improving all the team. They have reached many finals but at under 13 and 14 and Feile the Barrs were always there. At under 15, 16 and in the Minor County Final last year v Glen Rovers they suffered setbacks but kept at it. They won the under 18 title in Fermoy last year and now this Under 19 Championship is well deserved. Great credit to each and every player on this panel for the mighty effort put in over all these years. Ye are a credit to the Club. On behalf of the Cork Co Board Mick Lyons ( Araglen) presented to Winners Plate to team captain Edmond Cashman. Mick commented on the new under 19 grade and said it was important o have certainty going forward in regards to what age groups we have. In accepting the trophy on behalf of the team Edmond spoke very well and thanked al l the players, parents and supporters. He mentioned especially the Team Management Mark O Connell, Barry Hazlewood, Brendan Walsh and Aidan Hayes for their dedication and commitment. He then asked for three cheers for St Catherine’s.
Panel of players; Ronan O Riordan, Cormac O Sullivan, Liam Collins, Kieran Cotter (0 1), Adam Hynes, Cnnor Hazelwood, Denis Cashman, David Barry, Ronan O Connell,(0 2) Louie Roche (0 1), Josh Ahern (0 1), Cillian Tobin,( 1 1) Adam Walsh (1 1), Edmund Cashman Captain (1 1), Adam Hayes ( 0 10), Jacob Powell, Nicky Kelleher, Frank O Flynn, Cillian Barry, Darragh Kielty, Darragh O Sullivan, Oran Kielty, Eldon O Connor, Cameron O Sullivan, Ciaran O Dowd, Gearoid Gubbins. Amongst the large Rovers following present was a delighted Fr Seanie Barry who left for his Mission work in Kenya this week. It was special day for the Walsh family. Earlier in the afternoon the Teresa Walsh memorial Cup had been won by our under 14 hurlers with Brendan presenting the Cup. Then Adam lined out in the under 19 Final despite having his hand in a sling up until three o clock on Saturday. Teresa would have been so proud of Adam and all these great lads.
JUNIOR B HURLING SEMI FINAL.
On Saturday we face Castlelyons in the semi final of the East Cork Junior B Grade Hurling Championship. After wins over Cloyne, Sars and Midleton and topping the Group we qualified for the last four. Castlelyons defeated Aghada in their quarter final game recently and will be tough opposition. The game is fixed for 2 o clock on Saturday, in Carrigtwohill, as a curtain-raiser to the 2022 East Cork A Grade Hurling Final between Cobh and Erin’s Own which is at 4 o clock. Go for it lads.
EAST CORK JUNIOR C HURLING.
We played Carrignavar in our second group game for the Junior C Championship in Rathcormac at high noon last Sunday. Carrig started brightly and were leading 5 points to 2 after 10 minutes before Jerome broke through for a well taken goal. Carrig struck back for a goal of their own straight away and were in control around the centre and kept the score board ticking with 6 points in a row. We responded with a couple of points from Dave Burke before half time to leave the score 1-6 to 1-13 at half time.
We started the 2nd half brightly with a point but Carrig got their second goal. Credit to our lads they kept battling thill the end but could close the margin at any time with Carrig running out winners on a final score of 2 21 to 2 13 Squad; S Hackett (1-0), M O'Connell, T Kearney, B Lahive, L O'Flynn, P O'Driscoll, B Collins, J Kearney, J O'Sullivan (0-1), R Cahill, D Burke (0-9), C Howard, J Buckley, J O'Driscoll (1-1), C O'Callaghan(0-1), T Broderick (0-1), S O'Brien, P Croke, D Kelleher. This team is back in action next Sunday in Shnagarry at 11.30 against Russell Rovers.
UNDER 14 TOURNAMENT.
The Bride Rovers Club hosted the Teresa Walsh memorial tournament last Saturday with Ardmore (Co Waterford), Bishopstown and Castlelyons and the home team participating in the 4 team tournament. The event celebrated the life of Teresa Walsh, a Bride Rovers stalwart, who passed away in 2016 but whose memory was kept alive with two of her grandsons participating in this year’s tournament. The tournament began with a good match up between Castlelyons and Bishopstown, refereed by Pa O’Driscoll, with our near neighbours coming through to get to the final. The home team played St. Declan’s Ardmore in the other semi-final, with James Bermingham keeping them in check as referee, with the Rovers’ boys winning the game to give themselves a chance to retain the cup. In the shield final Bishopstown edged out the Waterford team which led nicely into the main event with Bride Rovers playing their neighbouring friends but rivals on the pitch, Castlelyons. The game was a good ding-dong battle but it was evident from an early stage that the Rovers lads were determined to keep a hold on the cup. Both teams, and indeed all four participants on the day did themselves proud producing four hugely entertaining spectacles with some grand hurling being played. The green, white and and gold colour wearers were determined to etch their name on the cup though. They did so on a on a 4-4 to 1-0 scoreline. Brendan Walsh, son of Teresa, then presented the cup to the victorious under14 Captain Denis Fitzgerald as his teammates celebrated in the background. Player of the tournament went to James Finn, but in truth he was first among equals with every player playing their part, including the 6 subs. The event came to a close with teams, mentors, friends and relatives of Teresa celebrating the success on the field with memories of Teresa off it as they tucked into the coffee, sandwiches and cakes onsite. All told, a great day for all who participated. Many thanks to all who contributed to making it a special day. Bride Rovers Panel: Owen Ryan, Eoghan Buckley, Cathal Barry, David Dixon, Darragh O’Farrell, Jack Lynch, Éanna Lyons, James Finn, Garry Quirke, James Larkin, Denis Fitzgerald, Matthew Kenny, Adam Kelleher, Con McCormack, Shane O’Dowd, Jamie Walsh, Calum Somers, Micheál Walsh, Finn O’Driscoll, Mark Hynes & Luke O’Flynn. There’s a saying in Irish. ‘Mol an oige agus tiocfaidh siad’ - ‘Praise the Youth and they will come’ how true it is and how great is it to see family traditions continue. Our under 14 Captain Denis Fitzgerald is son of our long time goalie Dinny Fitzgerald and grandson of Dinny who played his Club Hurling with St Catherines. Young Denis Fitzgerald is the great grandson of Paddy Fitzgerald formerly of Fort Richard, Bartlemy. Paddy was a player with Bartlemy Hurling Club, then a founder member, in 1928,, and later player with Bride Rovers.
UNDER 12 HURLING.
Our under 12 boys have their final hurling league game on this coming Friday evening at 7:30 in Newtownshandrum. This is effectively a plate semi-final as the winner goes into the plate final where Blackrock are waiting. The lads are training well and looking forward to their first game under lights. Go for it lads.
Lotto.
The Jackpot for our weekly Lotto for the last Tuesday of September was €10800. The four numbers drawn were 5,11,23 and 28 and there was no winner on the night. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Retesh Pau c/o Online Lotto, Fr. Seanie Barry, Main St., John Pratt, Knocknaboula,, Paddy Cronin, Kildinan and Anne Paye Barry, Knockadroleen This week’s jackpot on Tuesday October 4th was an incredible €11,000. If your ticket has expired we would appreciate if you would enter again via https://bit.ly/
UNDER 10’s IN ACTION.
The under10s welcomed Fermoy and Ballyhooly to Pairc na Bride for some football games on Saturday morning last. The interest this group have is incredible and we were able to field 30 lads on the day. This is a great sign for the future of Gaelic games in the Club, keep it up lads. The lads played some lovely football and displayed great teamwork and skill. Next Saturday sees us play away to Nemo in hurling at 12.30pm. Training continues on Wednesday nights at 6pm.
Bartlemy NS win.
Bishop O Brien NS had a great win in the St Colman’s Blitz 7 a side hurling last week. After winning their three group games they defeated in the semi final. The Final was against Araglen. It was a great game with Bartlemy winning out after a titanic struggle.
CAR BOOT SALE ON SUNDAY.
Next Sunday October 9th is Car Boot Sale Day in Rathcormac. If you have an hour or two to spare between 7 am and c 2 o clock please do come along and lend a hand.
Fr Seanie Barry.
We wish Fr Seanie bon voyage this week as he leaves Ireland to work again on the Mission fields in Kenya.
BEST WISHES.
We extend best wishes to Fr O Neill’s who meet Courcey Rovers in the County SAHC Final this weekend . Having lost the 2020 and 2021 Finals we hope Fr O Neill’s win the Title on Sunday.
BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres
