Bride Rovers Juvenile GAA Club
U8’s success in hurling blitz
We hosted a hurling blitz on Saturday 6th June involving ourselves, Castlelyons, Lisgoold and Ballinacurra as part of the series of U8 blitz’s. We had 24 players on the day. Our younger boys had three very close games, but found Castlelyons and Ballinacurra too strong for them, while our older boys got the better of the opposition in all their games. All players enjoyed the day despite the cold weather.
The boys who played on the day were:
Kieran Kearney, Eoghan O’Sullivan, Oisin Roche, Jack Ryan, Seamus Aherne, Craig O’Callaghan, Patrick O’Flynn, Cian Hogan, Michael Quinlan, Joe Twomey, Rian Pegler, Dylan O’Leary, Darragh O’Sullivan, Cormac Finn, Adam O’Callaghan, Conor Byrne, Shaun Knox, Adam Grogan, Ronan O’Connell, Geroid White, Dylan Thompson.
We would like to wish Mathew Quinn a speedy recovery from his recent injury – get well soon Mathew.
Football training for the U8’s is on every Monday night from 7pm to 8pm in Pynes field, with hurling training on Friday nights at 7pm to 8pm now also in Pynes.
New players welcome.
U10’s update
Decky Guckian League
The concluding game of the Decky Guckian League for Bride Rovers took place on Saturday May 23rd in Rathcormac. They took on Bishopstown in a very entertaining encounter. Conditions were reasonably good despite the heavy showers that fell earlier in the morning.
Bride Rovers opened the scoring with a well taken free from Conleth Ryan. Shane O’Flynn and Conleth were working hard at mid field. Griffin O’Keeney O’Sullivan and Brian Roche were clearing the ball well on the half-back line. Rovers scored another goal and was followed by a classic point from Shane O’Flynn.
Cian and Shane were showing great hurling skills for Bishopstown and they ensured two goals for their team. Conleth was unlucky to shoot a wide but followed with another rasping goal for the Rovers.
John O’Sullivan was defending well at full back and was ably supported by Ciaran Nugent, James Quirke, Peter O’Leary, Conor Barry and Ben Hogan in goal. At half time the scoreboard read 3 goals each.
Play resumed in the second half with Eoin Roche moving into goal and Ben Hogan moving into the forward line. Ben was ably assisted by Dathal Kent, Beneoin O’Brien Whitmarsh, James Buckley, Conor Barry and Jordan Mannix. Jordan put in a very strong performance at a full-forward scoring two goals. Sean Knox and Patrick O’Flynn gave a very strong performance in defence in the second half. The final score was 5 goals and 1 point each in a game that saw the players from both teams grow in confidence. Bride Rovers 5-1, Bishopstown 5-1.
U10 League Bride Rovers V Castlelyons
This game proved a formidable task for a very young Bride Rovers side. Castlelyons showed great skill and determination and emerged worthy winners in a score line of 5-5 to 2 points for the Rovers. Bride Rovers put in a stronger performance in the second half with scores from Sean Knox and John O’Sullivan. Final score: Bride Rovers 0-2 Castlelyons 5-5.
Ballyduff U10 Hurling Blitz
Bride Rovers participated in the Ballyduff hurling blitz under perfect playing conditions on Saturday last. The boys entered this blitz with great enthusiasm and commitment from the goalkeeper right up to the forwards.
Day 1 – Game 1 – Bride Rovers V Four Mile Water:
The opening game was played against Four Mile Water. Bride Rovers emerged victorious on a scoreline of 3 goals to 2 goals. Ben Hogan was in tremendous form in goal and brought off many great saves over the course of the three games. Brian Roche and Jordan Mannix hit the back of the net for the goals in this game.
Game 2 – Bride Rovers V St Saviours
Bride Rovers emerged victorious in this game on a scoreline of 4 -1 to 0-1. Conor Barry turned and struck a classic point for the Rovers. Adam O’Sullivan was in devastating form at mid-field and found the back of the net for a goal for the Rovers. Eoin Roche was determined not to leave his half-twin Brian steal the show and he himself scored a fine goal.
Game 3 – Bride Rovers V Portlaw
This last game proved to be the toughest of the day. Conleth Ryan was putting in a strong performance in this game and opened the scoring with a fine point. Brian Roche bagged the opening goal for the Rovers. The backs were under siege for much of this game from Portlaw and were joined at times by the mid fielders. Portlaw eventually penetrated the defence to score the opening goal for them. Conleth got a classic goal for the Rovers and was unlucky not to convert a free into another point. The final score was Bride Rovers 2-1 Portlaw 2-1.
Brothers Shane and Patrick O’Flynn were in great form for the Rovers. John O’Sullivan defended well at full back and sent many long shots into the forward line allowing the forwards an advantage which led to many scores.
Beneoin O’Brien Whitmarsh showed that he is not just a classic soccer player but is beginning to master the skills of lifting and striking with a hurley in this his first year playing hurling. He was unlucky not to convert some of these fine strikes into scores. James Buckley seemed to find his niche in the backline and was defending well along with the other backs. Bride Rovers progressed to contest the semi-finals of Division 3 of this blitz.
Day 2
Bride Rovers returned to Ballyduff on Saturday June 6th to play the final stages of Division 3 of the Ballyduff Hurling Blitz. There was a marked contrast in weather conditions from the previous Saturday as temperatures had plummeted considerably and were accompanied by a very stiff breeze. Bride Rovers took on Clashmore in the semi-final. This was a very fast moving game. Clashmore opened the game with a point. Clashmore laid siege on the Bride Rovers defence and only for the superb performance of Ben Hogan in goal Bride Rovers would have been at least two goals down. At half-time Clashmore led the Rovers by a point to no score.
Play resumed in the second half with a determined and gutsy performance by the Rovers. All the players played with great courage and eventually broke down the Clashmore defence and scored. Brian Roche scored two goals and his brother Eoin scored a third goal. Newly emerging talent Beneoin O’Brien Whitmarsh scored his first goal in this series. The final score was 4-1 to 0-1 in favour of the Rovers.
Division 3 Final
Bride Rovers V’s Ballyduff
Bride Rovers lined out against the host club in the final. Adam O’Sullivan was clearing the ball well for the Rovers. Ballyduff opened the scoring with a goal. Brian Roche was defending well and the Rovers began to come to grips with this Ballyduff team. The Rovers had unlucky wides from Conleth Ryan and John O’Sullivan. At half time the score board read 1-0 for Ballyduff to 0-0 for Bride Rovers. The mentors Donal Ryan and Donal Roche encouraged them to drive on and win the final for the Rovers.
Play resumed in the second half and Conleth Ryan opened the scoring for the Rovers with a well taken point. John O’Sullivan had another wide and time was ticking away fast. The Rovers attacked again and again but the Ballyduff goalkeeper ensured all their efforts were in vain. A last minute effort from our superb captain Adam O’Sullivan saw him send a rasping shot from well out the field to bounce past the Ballyduff keeper and end up in the net. The Rovers defence held out and they emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-1 to 1-0.
Well done to all the players and their selectors Donal Ryan and Donal Roche. Congratulations to the Ballyduff club on a well organised blitz. Adam O’Sullivan was presented with the John Jackson plaque.
U14 Hurling Tournament
Our U14 hurlers travelled to Ballyhooley on Thursday 28th May where they played Blackwater Rovers in the final of the Creed Cup. Playing some excellent hurling Bride Rovers dominated this match except for a late rally by Blackwater Rovers in the last 10 minutes. We emerged winners on a scoreline of 4-13 to 4-3. We wish to thank Ballyhooley for their kind invitiation to this very enjoyable tournament. Team and scorers: Colm Power (2-9), Darren O’Shea (1-2), Darren Moore (1-0), Sean Cotter (captain) (0-2), Padraig Noonan, Mark McAulliffe, William Finnegan, Declan Sheehan, Dean Linehan, Tadhg O’Sullivan, James Barry, Cian Howard.
Subs used: Colm Howard and Kieran O’Grady
Many Thanks
The Club wish to thank Mr Darren Service Manager of “Doorsteps” mobile catering company for sponsoring a beautiful set of new jerseys for our U14 team.
Congratulations
Congratulations the Bride Rovers senior hurlers after their victory over Castlelyons in the last round of the senior hurling championship and best of luck in the next round against Blackrock.
