Bride Rovers GAA Club notes & news round-up for the week.

Inspiring Championshp Win For Senior Hurlers

The Newspaper pundits wrote us off, the bookmakers wrote us off- indeed many Club Hurling ‘experts’ in the County of Cork wrote us off but ‘when hot grew that fight those hearts grew more eager’. Well that certainly was the situation that prevailed at windy Pairc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday when relishing the role of underdogs the Bride Rovers Senior team fashioned a merited victory over Ballinhassig. We won by six points on a day when those traditional Rovers ingredients of heart, determination and never-say-die were well augmented with great hurling skills to provide a great display. Will we win the County Senior Title this year? I don’t know and at this stage of the year no one knows. This much we do know however; that the players on this panel are special, formed and moulded in the Bride Rovers tradition and over recent years they have produced some excellent games and great entertainment for our followers. We weren’t given a chance going into this game, which was strange because the team performed quite well against Carrig in the first round especially in the second half when losing, by three points. Sars have won three counties in five years and Ballinhassig came so close to toppling them so perhaps that ‘form’ merited favouritism. Our lowly position in the Co Senior Hurling League – with just one win gave further ammunition to those who thought ‘twould be a stroll in the park for the Blues. There was a man around here onetime and he’d say in reference to a certain hurling team, ‘Yerra lad, there only a carnival team, lad’. He meant of course that when it came to the white heat of championship this team would be found wanting- well on Sunday last the Rovers displayed tremendous spirit and a lovely brand of crisp hurling to fashion a great win.

Back in 2008 we played Ballinhassig twice. Just a week after losing our first round game to the Barrs we had the face the southeast team in Riverstown.
A late, late Brian Murphy goal gave us a 3-7 total to Ballinhassig’s 1-13 -they’d lost to Sars in the first round, same scenario as this year. Three weeks later the replay looked like going to extra time with the sides level at 0 9 apiece but Daniel Dooley got a winner for us that day. Since then the team from the Carrigdhoun Division were waiting for a chance to regain revenge. Relegated from the Senior Grade in 2011 they bounced back to win the PIHC last year and regain senior status. That was the backdrop as we travelled to the Park last Sunday – the playing surface was in magnificent condition for hurling.
We had three changes in our starting line up from the Carrig game with Kieran Collins, Jason Mannix and Cian O Connor all on from the start. We had the benefit of the strong breeze blowing towards the Blackrock end and wasted no time in getting a scoreboard advantage. After Brennie was fouled Barry Johnson opened our account. Points from Daniel Dooley and Jason Mannix put us three ahead before Ballinhassig had their first point. It was very evident that we were on top in all areas of the field. There was more urgency and passion in our hurling and Team Captain Dinny Fitzgerald marshalled the defence superbly. With points coming from Barry, Sean Ryan, Daniel Dooley again and Jason Pratt we were well worth our 0 10 to 0 4 lead. Both teams hit five wides in the first half. As someone said at the break ‘it is a good lead but not a great lead’. A shower momentarily lessened the wind but when the second half started it was gusting strongly in favour of Ballinhassig. They used it well and three points in as many minutes halved our lead. Our lads didn’t panic, they just hurled away and a Barry Johnson free gave us a four-point lead again. On of the turning points of the contest came eight minutes into the second half. Barry Johnson floated in a superb line ball and amid a bunch of players Sean Ryan got possession and hit a super goal. This put us five points up again and gave us a nice cushion. In the 45th minute Martin Coleman travelled the length of the field to take a close in free. His goal bound shot was stopped and cleared up the field. Against the wind our backs came under constant pressure but time and again cleared their lines brilliantly. Ballinhassig brought the margin down to four points at one stage but Barry’s three pointed frees and a late, great score from Michael Kearney topped off a memorable game for us. Late on both Aidan Collins and Brien Murphy received very serious injuries which in both cases require surgery. Aidan and Brian had hurled brilliantly and will be sorely missed. Overall it was a great display of hurling from a team which wanted to win much more than their opponents. They now meet Killeagh next weekend while we await the Round 4 Draws.

Team and scorers; D. Fitzgerald (Capt.), A. Collins, Barry Murphy, Shane Kearney, K. Collins, Brian Murphy, B. Walsh, J. Pratt 0 1, M. Kearney 0 1, S. Ryan 1 1, B. O Driscoll, B. Johnson 0 10, J. Mannix 0 1, D. Dooley 0 2 C. O Connor.
Subs. T. Broderick, J. O Driscoll, P. Walsh.

In essence this was our first real Senior Championship win since 2011. Last year we lost to Erins Own, Na Piarsaigh and then Blackrock and so we were out of the Championship race. We defeated Cloyne on that never to be forgotten September afternoon in Pairc Ui Rinn, thus avoiding relegation. Last Sundays win is like a ‘triple’ bonus, the fear of Relegation later in the season is gone, we are through to Round 4 of this years Championship and we will be Senior again in 2014. The win also gave us our second brace of Red FM SHL points. Well done to Pat Barry, Kevin Shelly and all the backroom team. A special word of thanks to the large crowd of Rovers supporters who were in the Park last Sunday. We complain about the need to improve the facilities at Pairc Ui Chaoimh and of course a major revamp is planned but it is a special place to play and win a game. The Draw for Round 4 will be made shortly and likely dates for our next game are around the last weekend of July. It’s great to be free of the relegation pressure during the long, hopefully fine evenings of July. What a difference a win like this makes, no one was in any hurry with the cows on Sunday evening and on Monday it was case of reliving the game again. The defeats over the years make victories like this all the sweeter.

Match Photos.

A great selection of photos from the game can be seen on our Club Website www.briderovers.ie

Cavanaghs of Fermoy Avondhu Imokilly J.H.L. Division 1

In our seventh game in the league Kilshannig were visitors to Pairc Na Bhride on Tuesday last. Despite injuries and holidays 24 players attended for what was a vital match for both clubs as both needed a win to ensure survival at this level in Division 1.
We opened brightly for a change and in the first 20 minutes we had 2 goals from Alan together with points from Richie and Dave and Eoin. With a dominant half-back line and with mid-field on top further scores flowed and at half-time we lead by 4-8 to 1-5.
In the second half we used a full quota of subs and we scored from excellent points from some of our young players. We ran out comprehensive winners on a score line of 5.16 to 1.11

Panel: Frank Hogan, Barry Collins, Donnchadha Carr, Brian Collins, Fergus Collins, James Murphy, Patrick O’Driscoll, Stephen Boyce, Gavin O’Flynn, Eoin Murphy, Dave Burke, Richie Cahill, Alan O’Keeffe, Stephen Hackett, William Finnegan, Garry Clerkin, Sean Cotter, Kieran Manley, Enda Collins, James Buckley, James Barry, Darren Moore, Damien Buckley, Padraig Noonan.
Scorers: Alan O’Keeffe 2-0, Richie Cahill 1-2, W.Finnegan 1-3, E.Murphy 1-1,, D.Burke 0-6, S.Boyce 0-2, S.Hackett 0-1, F.Collins 0-1.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ON SATURDAY

Our Back Door game in the East Cork Junior A Grade Hurling Championship is on this coming Saturday night July 6th. We have been drawn to play Carrigtwohill in this round. Carrig lost to Carrignavar only after extra time last weekend so they are a strong side. We were disappointed at the 11 point defeat to Dungourney in Round 1 but then the competition in the Junior A grade championship is very keen. Our game v Carrig is fixed for Watergrasshill at 7.30 on Saturday night. It will be tough but go for it lads.

East Cork J.H.L. Division 4

Dungourney were the visitors to Rathcormac on Saturday night for our 2nd league game for our third team and we had 21 players present.
We opened brightly but our lot was a succession of wides and across the game we had in excess of 20 wides. Our only score in the first half came from the caman of Dan Lane and we were being by 1-4 to 0-1. We got into the game more in the second half but the wides were still mounting up. We had a good closing 15 minutes when we scored 4 points from Darren & Gavin. We were defeated on a score of 1-11 to 0-5, this was a reasonable display considering that many of the players were having their first league game this season.
Panel: Maurice Dooley, Liam O’Leary, Brian Lahive, Padraig Noonan, Sean Cotter, Gavin Quill, Jamie Buckley, David Quinn, Daniel Lane, Niall Hogan, Garry Clerkin, Darren Moore, Enda Collins, James Hogan, Kieran Wolfe, Damien Buckley, James Barry, Tadgh O’Sullivan, William Finnegan, Brian Collins, Cian Howard.
Scorers: Gavin Quill 0-3, Daniel Lane 0-1 and Darren Moore 0-1

JAMES BER IN CHARGE OF MUNSTER FINAL

Congrats to James Bermingham Club Chairman who has been appointed to referee the Munster Minor Football Final in Killarney on next Sunday July 7th, between Kerry and Tipperary. This is a major appointment for James, who has been steadily climbing the ladder at County level, and this is recognition of his ability as a referee and his dedication.
We wish him well, for what will be another memorable day for the club. We also wish James’ umpires Brendan O Driscoll, Paddy Bermingham, Raymond Hegarty and Michael Keating all the best – next stop Croke Park.

Twitter and Website.

The Twitter account was hopping last Sunday as Rovers fans far away in Australia, Africa and America kept in touch with the action from the Banks of our own lovely Lee. 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 Any news items or general items of interest are very welcome for inclusion.

RATHCORMAC NS REUNION

The Plans for a Rathcormac National School are now well underway. September the 13th and 14th are the days planned for the event. Regular organisational meetings are now being held so all past pupils try and help out especially with information on those left the parish. This year 2013 is the Year of the Gathering when visitors are being welcomed home from abroad to events all over the country.

CLUB SHOP

Well the 2013 playing season is in full swing and the value is as good as ever at the Bride Rovers Club Shop. We have a huge range of Stock just in. Jerseys, togs, Socks, Hoodies, Training Shorts, Track Suits, Training Tops, Gear Bags, Polo Shirts, Bottle Green Wind-Sheeters, Green Half Zip Hoodies, Rain Jackets, Beanie Hats and Medal Boards are all available. Be seen to support your club with the club colours and club gear. If you want to place an
order just ring 086 3807784 or 086 1540902 to purchase all the above items.

CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING

The next meeting of the Club Executive is on Monday July the 8th at 9pm.

CHILL INSURANCE & CORK GAA

The Cork GAA Board recently announced that Chill Insurances are the new Cork GAA Sponsors. Not only are Chill Insurances providing valuable finances for the various Cork inter county teams but they are also offering special deals to customers. Individual GAA Clubs in Cork are being allocated a Number and if one quotes this number when taking out Insurance with the company the local Club will benefit. Full details are available from Club Officers.