BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

Well we aren’t into March yet but the 2026 playing season is well underway. We’ve had league games in Junior Football and Hurling and our Senior Hurlers had Cashel as visitors last Sunday. We had extra Tipperary influence on Saturday when Tommy Dunne gave a Coaching Master Class.  The Lotto Jackpot was €5,800 on last Tuesday night February 24th. Would you like to become a referee? Now’s the time as a major ref recruiting campaign is underway. Another ‘recruiting campaign’ on at present is for ‘Young Rovers’- the five and six year olds. This coming weekend is GAA congress weekend -very special this year as Ger Ryan, Derek Kent or John Murphy will be elected as ‘Uachtarain tofa’ and will succeed Jarlath Burns in the Top GAA job in February 2027. Next Sunday is Car Boot Sale and help is always wanted. Happy 90th Birthday this week to Club stalwart Henry Hazelwood.

 

SENIOR HURLING. 
Our senior hurlers played their first game of the year with a very useful workout against Cashel King Cormacs. 

Played on the sand based pitch at Pynes which was well prepared in front of a nice crowd. 

Cashel got off to a quick start, racing into 0-5 point lead after 10 minutes. Cormac Barry opened the Rovers account with a well taken point.

Two quick fire goals from Cashel extended their lead before Conleith Ryan got a goal back for the Rovers. Points from Kieran Kearney and Shane O Connor reduced the deficit. Half time Bride Rovers 1-03 Cashel 2-08

Cashel added a third goal at the start of the second half. The Rovers started to gain control following some substitutions with Ed Cashmans working hard at full forward. Points from Adam Walsh (6), Ed Cashman  and Cormac O Sullivan. Panel; Cian Hogan, Tadhg O'Sullivan, Oisin Roche, Denis Cashman, Conor Hazelwood, Ryan Prendergast, Shane O'Connor, Cormac O'Sullivan, Kieran Kearney, Cillian O'Sullivan, Jack Mannix, Cormac Barry, Conleith Ryan, Adam Walsh, David Barry , Conor Barry, Shaun Knox, Eldon O Connor, Ed Cashman, Adam Hayes, Liam Collins, Louie Roche, Conor O Riordan & Oran Kielty. Final Score Bride Rovers 1 11 Cashel King Cormacs 3 11

Fixtures

Sunday 1st March v St Marys Clonmel in Pynes Field at 11.30am

Sunday 8th March League v Valley rovers in Main Pitch at 12noon. 
The Tipperary side are coached this year by Sean Guiheen (Na Piarsiagh) and Eoin Cadogan (Douglas) Making his Senior debut for Cashel last Sunday was 17 year old Cian Fitzgerald. Cian’s father, Declan, a Buttevant native -now domiciled in the premier County,  trained the Bride Rovers Senior team back in 2010.

 

EAST CORK JHL. 
Our Junior A hurlers opened their league campaign on Monday night Feb. 23rd, when Castlelyons were the visitors to Pynes Field. After a good dry day the pitch was in marvellous condition as the two teams put on a good hours hurling for the sizeable crowd in attendance.

Conor Barry started in fine form on got our opening three points all from play while Castlelyons had two frees in response all within the first 5 minutes. Another point from Conor and two from play from Castlelyons saw the sides level 4 points apiece on the 15th minute mark.

The lads enjoyed a period of dominance and three more points from Conor and 1 from Conor O'Riordan saw us into 8 points to 5 lead by the 25th minute. Castlelyons got two more points but two more from Conor and 1 from Cormac Barry saw us in at half time with a 4-point lead 11 points to 7.

We started the second half well and a second point from Conor O'Riordan was quickly followed by a goal from Seamus who finished to the net after great build up play from Eddie and we now enjoyed a 1-12 to 7 point led. Shuan (2) and Jack extend our lead and by the 40th minute we enjoyed a 9-point lead 1-15 to 9. Castlelyons never gave up and got the next two points. Shaun, Seamus & Conor O'Riordan all added a point each before the end to see us running out winners on a score line of 1-18 to 12 points.

Team & Subs; R O'Riordan, E O'Connor, O Roche, T O'Sullivan, L Collins, R Prendergast, A Hynes, C O'Sullivan, S Ahern, S Knox, Cormac Barry, C O'Riordan, E Cashman, Conor Barry, J Mannix, A Hayes, A Buckley, R O'Callaghan, L Harrington, Jordan Mannix, C O'Dowd, B Knox

Our next game in the league is on Monday the 9th of March when we welcome Carrigtwohill to Pynes. Before this we get our Division 4 league started with a visit of Sarsfield on Saturday the 7th of March

JOIN THE ROVERS!

In the Bride Rovers Club new members are always welcome to join us to enjoy playing Gaelic Games. In particular, we welcome boys and girls born in 2020 and 2021. Fun activities for these age groups will commence in the coming weeks and will continue each week until the autumn. It will allow children to be physically active, to make new friends and to learn new sporting skills.
For parents of girls in the U6/U5 age group, please contact Michael Collins on 086 1595715, while parents of U6/U5 boys should contact Seán O'Brien on 087 6931731. It is just brilliant to see the work being put in at under-age here in our Club and indeed in every Club. This author can remember well making his debut in the green, white and gold jersey in an under 14 match in 1971. The concept of coaching hadn’t been thought of back then -most lads went to the hurling pitch at around ten or eleven -how times have changed! For families who are new to our parish or maybe were never involved in Gaelic games we extend a ‘Cead Mile Failte’ to one and all.

 

NEW’ WHISTLERS’ WANTED. 
Cork County Board have announced that a Foundation Referee Course is now live, with confirmed dates in place. This course is specifically designed for new referees who wish to officiate in Gaelic Football and Hurling. Course Structure:
1. Participants must complete a 1-hour online module prior to attending.
2. Attendance at two face-to-face sessions is required after completing the online module.
Important Information:
 All new referees must be Garda Vetted before officiating at any games.

 Applicants must be 17 years of age or older to take part in this course. If you are interested in becoming a referee and contributing to our games, we encourage you to register and begin your journey today.
The link to the online module is the following: https://learning.gaa.ie/node/295700
The enrolment key is available from Club Secretary Rosario Kielty 087 937 1961 or Michael Carey 087 980 8973. The following are the dates and venues.
Carrigtwohill: February 23rd and February 26th 7pm to 9.30pm

Clonakilty: February 28th 9.30pm until 3pm (In person one and two courses)

 Mallow: March 7th 9.30pm until 3pm (In person one and two courses)

 SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh: March 9th and March 12th 7pm to 9.30pm

Please fill in the following survey to confirm the venue you wish to attend. Foundation Level 1 Referee Course 2026 – Fill out the form -for details contact Rosario or Michael.

 

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.
The Lotto Results for Tuesday the 17th of February The  Numbers drawn were 6, 12, 17 & 20 and there was  No Jackpot Winner
Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Ann Paye, Knockadroleen,
 The Walshs, Mondaniel, Ella & Conor McMahon, c/o Pure Hair,  James Finn, Glenagoul
and Aiden Dorgan, Shanowen. This  week's jackpot was an incredible €5,800. If your ticket has expired, we would appreciate if you would enter again via
Bride Rovers GAA Lotto
Thank you again for all your support.

LAST MAN STANDING.  
Who’ll be ‘Last Man Standing?’ well the Bride Rovers Senior Hurling Players  are having their Annual Fundraiser. Select a team to win in the Premier Football League each week and you could win €500. The sliotar will be  ‘thrown in  this week with a start-up on Friday 27th February. It’s €10 per entry. To enter contact Eoin Roche (086) 321 2831 or any of the panel.

V

HAPPY 90th HENRY. 
All in the Bride Rovers Club send our very best wishes to Henry Hazelwood of Toberneague on his recent 90th birthday. A great GAA man Henry served his native Castletownroche as an outstanding player for years. On coming to our parish henry was coaxed out of retirement and helped us win a first ever Junior B grade title. Later he served as a trainer and selector and Juvenile Chairman. Born in 1936 henry was on the first ever Castletown team to win a North Cork under 14 title. That 1949 team also included future ‘greats’ like Bobby Galvin,  Bobby O Sullivan, Richie Browne, Christy Flynn and Tom Clancy.  On the Junior team from 1955 Henry  won his first Avondhu JAHC medal when Allow Rovers were defeated  5 6 to 1 5 in the 1956 final in Buttevant.   1960 brought a County JAHC title to Castletown with a 3 6 to  4 2 win over Cloyne. In 1961  up to Intermediate and Henry was captain of the team that reached the County Final v Glen Rovers. Castletown scored 9 points to the Glen’s 2 3 in a low-scoring Final. Glen Rovers won the replay. A knee injury curtailed Henry’s hurling career over the next few years. In 1964 the Bride Rovers Club was back in action after a lapse. The Junior B hurling team reached the East Cork semi final but lost to Castlelyons. In 1966 Henry, a thirty year old experienced hurler, answered the call from his new Club. He lined out in defence in a Willie Sheehan -captained side that beat Youghal in the B Grade Hurling Final -our first Cork title since 1932. Henry played on a for a few more seasons before helping as a selector and trainer. Later he gave great service as Bride Rovers Juvenile Chairman. His sons Maurice, Barry and Philip all played with the Club. Last November there was no prouder man anywhere in Ireland than Henry Hazelwood when his grandson Conor was on the Rovers County SAHC winning team with Barry a selector. Congrats Henry, a true Gael, from all your many friends in the Bride Rovers Club.

 

 SUNDAY NEXT - CAR BOOT SALE DAY. 
Next Sunday March 1st is car Boot Sale day in Rathcormac. Help is always needed from 7am on Sunday morning and also on Saturday morning with the preparations. Do come along to help if you can-even for an hour or two.

BRILLIANT COACHING WITH TOMMY DUNNE.

There was a fantastic turnout at Bride Rovers on Saturday morning as former Tipperary hurler and renowned coach Tommy Dunne delivered a high-quality two-hour coaching workshop for Club coaches.

The session began with a one-hour on-field coaching clinic involving the Club’s minor players. During this practical session, Tommy outlined the standards, ethics, and tempo expected from modern coaches, emphasising how strong coaching habits and energy levels are key to driving player development. He also broke down a range of drills, explaining their purpose and highlighting the importance of structure, intensity, and decision-making in the modern game.

Following the field session, coaches gathered in the clubrooms for a 30-minute interactive Q&A. This gave attendees the opportunity to explore coaching techniques in more depth, discuss player management, and gain valuable insights from Tommy’s experience at the highest level.

Over 50 coaches from Bride Rovers took part in the workshop, making it a hugely beneficial and engaging morning for all involved.

The club would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the session, and a special word of appreciation to Tommy for honouring Bride Rovers with his presence and delivering such a top-class and informative coaching experience.

 

UNDER 14 REPORT.

The Under-14 squad began their preparations for the 2026 season on January 17th with a four-week strength and performance programme under the guidance of Deirdre Morrison’s Strength and Performance in Fermoy. This provided an excellent foundation for the players, introducing them to a structured gym environment and focusing on key areas such as strength development, movement quality, and overall athletic development. The players engaged very well with these sessions and showed great commitment throughout the programme. Since February 17th, the squad has transitioned fully back to field-based training and has been training twice weekly. These sessions continue to build on the athletic foundations developed in the gym while also focusing on skill development, tactical awareness, and match preparation.

Our competitive season begins next Monday night, March 2nd, with our Team 1 competing in Division 1 of the league against Canovee at Pynes Pitch at 6.30pm. This marks the beginning of what promises to be a very busy and exciting year for the group. In total, the Under-14 panel will play approximately 45 matches across both codes and across two teams during the season. This will provide excellent opportunities for all players to develop, gain match experience, and represent the club. Training will continue twice weekly as scheduled, and the players’ attitude and commitment to date have been excellent, setting a very positive tone for the season ahead.

SCOR. Well done to Orla Arnold who represented Bride Rovers in the Recitation Section in the Senior Scor County Final in Ovens last Saturday evening.

 

 FIXTURES 
Friday Feb 27th JFL v Midleton Pynes Field at 7.30pm

Sunday  March 1st Senior H challenge v St Marys Clonmel in Pynes Field at 11.30am.

Sunday 8th March League v Valley Rovers in Main Pitch at 12noon

SPONSORS; 
The Bride Rovers GAA Club sponsors are Fermoy Print & Design, Rathcormac Tyres, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veoila -please support our sponsors whenever you can.