Under 21 Hurlers Through to Final...

 Well done to our Under 21 Hurling team on qualifying for the East Cork Final of the Competition after a high-scoring semi final against Watergrasshill last Friday evening in Lisgoold. The second semi was on the same night with Castlelyons having a win over Carrigtwohill to set up a Local Derby Final. In 2015 we met Watergrasshill in the U21  semi final -a game which was also played in Lisgoold. On that occasion the Hill got two early goals and those scores were the winning of the game as we lost by a margin of seven points 2 13 to 0 12. On Friday night last the game started with a flurry of points -Shane Walsh and DJ Cahill had scores from play in the first minute and when Conor Barry pointed three frees we led by 5 points 2 after eight minutes of play. We had the aid of a stiff breeze in the opening half and one felt a lead of 7 or 8 points at least would be required by the break. Superb points from Conleith Ryan and Brian Roche were followed by a Shane Walsh goal to put us 1.7 to 0. 4 ahead after 11 minutes. The Hill attack was getting plenty ball but our backline was very resolute in their defending. Another white flag from a placed ball by Conor and a beauty from Cian O Connor were followed by a second Shane Walsh goal to give us a commanding lead of 2 9 to 0 6. From play Conor Barry's point saw us lead by ten points. In the 24th minute Watergrasshill got a goal. In fairness this score seemed to bring the best out of our team and they responded with four points, two from William Finnegan and one each from Conor and Brian. In the 36th minute we were leading by  2 14 to 1 6 a margin of 11 points. Then just seconds from the short whistle the Hill goaled from a free to leave it 2 14 to 2  6 at the break. An eight point lead was a nice margin but the late, late goal was a great boost to the Hill. They started the second half in style with a brace of white flags to reduce our lead to six. They threatened to take over the game at this stage but good work by Jordan Mannix, Eoin Roche and Ryan Prendergast prevented certain scores. Conor Barry got our first score of the half after two minutes and three minutes laterafter some great teamwork Jesse Barry O Keeffe struck as mighty goal, William Finnegan hit over a point and we were now back to an eleven point margin. Then the Hill really hit a purple patch. Between the tenth and twentieth minutes they score 1 5 and our lead was down to a goal - 3 16 to 3  13 and we looked to be in serious trouble. Points from DJ and Jesse raised the siege but the Hill got one back. There were just four points in it now with less than two minutes left -but with three or four more expected to be added. Good defensive work by Tadhg O Sullivan and Shane O Connor saw Cian O Connor score a superb goal but from the puckout the Hill attacked and scored their fourth goal. It was heart-stopping stuff now as we entered added time. A great point from William Finnegan gave us a five point lead and we held this til the end to win an amazing game on a scoreline of 4 19 to 4  14. It was mighty game, well done to every single member of the panel and the Management team. We've beaten Aghada and Watergrasshill to reach our first Divisional U 21 Hurling Final in many years. Castlelyons have defeated Youghal and Carrigtwohill  to reach the decider which may be played on the weekend of September 9th or 10th.

It's a great achievement to qualify for the final so let's make the best of these last two weeks of August to really have a crack at this Final. Team and scorers in semi final;  Ben Hogan, Jordan Mannix, Tadhg O Sullivan, Jack Connor, Ryan Prendergast, William Finnegan 0 4, Eoin Roche, Cian O Connor 1 1, Shane O Connor, Conleith Ryan 0 1, DJ Cahill 0  2, Jesse O Keeffe 1  1, Brian Roche 0  2, Shane Walsh 2 1, Conor Barry 0 7, Griffen O Keeney.

There was a great 'old fashioned' terrific atmosphere in Lisgoold on Friday night with a fine crowd and plenty scores
When we played the 2015 semi final our team and scorers were as follows; Frank Hogan, Podge Noonan, Ryan Prendergast, Tadhg O Sullivan, Adrian Buckley, Shane Walsh, Jakub Macak, Shane O Connor, Cian O Connor ( 0 1), William Finnegan(0 9), DJ Cahill(0 1), Sean Cotter, Jesse O Keeffe, Liam O Leary, Colm Power (0 1).Sub: Cian Howard.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Jackpot for the Weekly Lotto on Tuesday August 15th was €14,000. The four numbers drawn were2, 9, 14, 30 and there was no winner.
€30 each to Nuala Roche, Bridesbridge,,Claire Lester @ Laya,A.M. Knox, Rathcormac, Frank Buckley, Kildinan and Noel Molan, Mondaniel. Tickets for the Weekly Lotto are on sale in local business outlets and from Club Members. You can also purchase tickets online at locallotto.ie  The Lotto is our big fundraiser for the Club each and every week of the year and your ongoing support is very much appreciated.

MINOR HURLING.

On August 17th St Catherines defeated Erins Own  in the rebel Og MHC and we are to meet the winners. This game will not be played until after the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final and more than likely after the Under 21 Hurling Final.

Sports Award for the Roche Twins. 

More pics click on http://briderovers.ie/gallery

Brian and Eoin Roche are busily preparing for the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final on Sundayweek when Cork will play Dublin in a historic Final. Since 1928 the Minor Grade has been for players under 18 years of age. The powers that be in the GAA have decided that from 2018 onwards Minor is to be for players under 17. So the Final between the Rebels and Galway onSeptember the 3rd will have a very special historical significance. Cork Manager Denis Ring and his backroom team have put in vast amount of time and effort in getting this Cork team to the final. Brian and Eoin Roche were last week selected as the July Sports Stars of the Month for July. The awards are Sponsored by 103/96 FM and the Rochestown Park Hotel. On Monday last the awards were presented to the lads at a very pleasant function in the Rochestown Park Hotel. The Roche family, members of the County Board and a large contingent from our Club attended. John Meyler, John Considine and Jimmy Condon (St. Colmans)were also there.  Cork GAA broadcaster Finbarr McCarthy was MC and welcomed everyone present. Fr Seanie Barry home on holidays from Kenya was present and along with County Board Chairman Gerard Lane presented the Award Trophies to Brian and Eoin. During the 1960's Seanie spent five years of his training for the Priesthood in the building which is now part of the Rochestown  Park Hotel. Our own Brian Murphy received a similar award a few years back at a time when he was starring on the Cork Senior Hurling team.We wish Brian and Eoin all the best over the next ten days as the preparations for the Final continue.

 RED AND WHITE.

It's great to see the fantastic display of Red and White Buntings in the Village of Rathcormac in the build-up to the Final. It will be a huge occasion for the Parish and Club when the lads line out with Cork. It's also fantastic for Castlelyons, Ballyhooley and Lisgoold to have players on this fine Cork team..

UNDER 16 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Bride Rovers  12-12
Castlelyons 0-06
On Monday last August 21st we made the short trip to our neighbours Castlelyons to play the first round of the football championship. After a tense start the Rovers quickly got into their stride with a string of goals and points from various players and were in front from start to finish. It was a very comfortable win with some great football skills shown.  Great credit to Castlelyons they kept plugging away 'til the final whistle. We progress to semi -final where we will face Kilara Og . The date & venue have yet to be confirmed.

 Panel.Dara O Sullivan, Thomas Makub, Ruairi O Sullivan,  Jacob Powell, Adam Walsh, Matthew Quinn, Michael Quinlan,  Kieran Kearney,  Patrick O Flynn,  Shaun Knox, Cian Hogan,  Seamus Ahern (C),  Edmond Cashman,  John Buckley,  Craig O Callaghan, Ronan O Connell,  Eoin O Sullivan.
Fixtures
U-16 Hurling league Semi-Final v Fermoy 31 August at 7-00pm  venue to confirmed
U-16 Hurling Championship v Charleville 4 Sept at 7-00pm, venue to be confirmed. 

ALL IRELAND TICKETS.

Let me alone about tickets for the Hurling Final! Because Cork are not in the Senior Final the allocation of tickets to Clubs in Cork will be minimal. All the year there has been a huge Club following both the Cork Under 17 and Minor teams at venues all over Munster and in Croke Park. Brian and Eoin have captured the public imagination not alone in our parish but across the country. Across the 'border' in Decie country there will be no spare tickets as Waterford strive to win the All Ireland for the first time since 1959. Now is the time to contact third and fourth cousins, twice removed, anywhere at all in the country!

JUNIOR C HURLING.

Our championship game v Lisgoold has not yet been fixed but we are trying to catch up with the remaining Div 3 JHL games. On September 1st we are away to Fr O Neills in Aghavine at 7pm.

UNDER 14 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Our under 14 hurlers travelled to the Newtownshandrum grounds last week to play Shandrum in the first round of the Rebel Og Championship. The lads put on a great display of attacking hurling and had a very easy win.  Edmond Cashman was top scorer with 5 4, Adam Walsh 2 5, Josh Ahern 0 2, Ronan O Conell 1 0, Adam Hates 0 2.. Team F. O Flynn, A. O Sullivan, L. Collins, D. O Sullivan,J. Powell, C. Hazlewood, D. Barry, C. Tobin,R. O Connell, J. Ahern,A. Walsh, N. Kelleher, , E. Buckley, E. Cashman  A. Hayes. This win qualified us for the semi final v Blarney which was to be played last night Wed August 23rd.

The U 13 Premier 2 Football League Final is fixed for next Saturday v Bantry Blues at 3pm, venue to be announced.

ASTRO TURF BOOKING.

All bookings of the two Astro Turf playing areas are to be made by contacting the Club Runai Daniel Lane at 087 2070100

LEAVING CERT.

Well done to all who received their Leaving Cert results last week and hopefully the news from the CAO this week  is what everyone wanted.

Twitter and Website. 

So many people at home and abroad are now very hi-tech when it comes to keeping in touch with the activities of the Bride Rovers Club. The online editions of newspapers are growing in popularity. Meanwhile you can follow the Club on twitter at twitter@ BrideRoversGAA or on our own website at www.briderovers.ie

BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres

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