BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

  CORK WIN SHANNONSIDE SHOOTOUT.

The Cork Senior Hurlers are Munster champions for the first time since 2018 after a drama -filled Provincial Final last Saturday evening. It wasn’t like the old days with ham sandwiches and dust in the square but the 2025 Munster Final will live long in the memory.  ‘Rules is rules’ as they say and while a replay would have been welcomed far and wide the situation in the ‘Split’ and ‘Condensed’ season is such that there is little or no room for replays. Having suffered a 16 point drubbing by Limerick a few weeks back this was a magnificent display by a fired- up Cork side. Well done to our own Brian Roche who played his part in the game and Eoin on the extended panel.   Alan Barry and Matthew Kenny were also involved with Cork sides over the weekend. Next Sunday is another hectic day as we play Courcey Rovers in a vital SHL game in Ballinspittle and Denis Fitzgerald and his Cork Minor Hurling colleagues bid for an All Ireland Final spot.  Our former Club Chairman and one of the 1928 founders David John Barry died this week in 1975- fifty years ago.

 

 REBELS REIGN.  In a history making first ever Munster Final penalty shoot-out Cork Senior Hurlers captured the Mick Mackey Cup for the very first time on Saturday night. In an amazing and thrilling game Cork reversed the hammering inflicted by John Kiely’s side on May 18th -we lost  by 3 26 to 1 16 that day.  WE knew we could do better and on Saturday evening the Cork hurlers stood up and were counted when it mattered most.  Personally I think big games like Provincial Finals and All Ireland Finals that end in a draw after 70m or 80 minutes should be replayed -no ifs or buts ;unfortunately that’s not the way it is and so after extra time on Saturday night it came down to a penalty shoot-out and that’s the way it was. Cork are Munster Champions for the first time since 2018 when we beat Clare. Survivors from 18 are  Cahalane, Coleman, Horgan, Fitzgibbon, Harnedy, Meade, Lehane and Robbie O Flynn. Back then Munster Senior Hurlin Cup was just the Munster Senior Hurling Cup. In the meantime a Cup in memory of the great Mick Mackey of Ahane was presented. Limerick have won it in 2022, 2023 and 2024 so this year a ‘new’ name will be added. Well done Cork and Pat Ryan who has had a tough and very emotional few months.

RED FM COUNTY SHL

Bride Rovers defeated Blackrock by  1-25 to 1-14 in the Red  Senior FM hurling league on Friday week last.

Bride Rovers prevailed over Blackrock in the RedFM hurling league in Pairc na Bride. A strong performance from Adam Hayes as netminder saw the Rovers win by a margin of eleven point. It might seem like a one-sided scoreline but this was not the situation as we were behind by a point down at half time. The result sees the Rovers leading the Division 3 league, with Courcey Rovers, Newcestown and Ballinhassig following closely behind all with a game in hand. The next game will see us face off against Courcey Rovers on this coming Sunday.

Team; A. Hayes, L. Collins, O. Roche, K. Cotter, C. Hazelwood, J. Manix, S. O’Connor, R. O’Connell, C. Tobin, A. Walsh, C. Barry, L. Roche, C. Ryan, P. O’Flynn, D. Barry.

 DAVID JOHN BARRY 1898-1975.

This Friday June 13th marks the 50th anniversary of the death of David John Barry. A founder member of the club in 1928 David John gave sterling service as an Officer, Board delegate and selector over many years. Born in 1898 to Thomas Barry and Kate Reynolds David John was a Club stalwart and  his rallying call of ‘`Hi tell ‘em all’ applied especially to the juvenile players of the parish. He witnessed the early glory years of Bride Rovers in the 1930s and then the ’valley’ period in the 40’s and 50’s. He was still very much involved after the revival in 1964. Elected as Club Chairman in 1967 he was re-elected at each AGM including 1975. I remember well  the evening of Thursday June the 12th 1975 calling down to David John’s house in Garrynacole.  The under 14 football team were due to play Castlemartyr in Castlelyons the following night. I knew I wouldn’t be at the match because we were going at silage. On that Thursday night we picked the team for the game and arranged spins for all the players.  I had started going to East Cork Board meetings in 1972 with David John and we got on very well. Little did I think as I left his house on that fine June evening that we’d not meet again. David John took ill and died at the football game in Castlelyons.  His death was a huge shock to his family and the Bride Rovers Club. At a special Club Meeting on Tuesday June 17th Tom Barry proposed a vote of sympathy to David John’s relatives. Dave Hogan said the death of our chairman was a great loss to the youth of the parish. Pat O Connor commented on the great work David John Barry had done for Bride Rovers down the years. Jimmy Meade said the death of our chairman broke a link which had been forged with the club many years ago.  Tom Cotter seconded the vote of sympathy. Fifty years is a long time yet for those of us that knew and worked with David John his memory and legacy live on today. David John- thanks for all you did for the Bride Rovers Club.

CAR BOOT SALE. The nest car Boot sale is on Sunday week June 22nd.

ALAN BARRY CAPTAINS CORK. Well done to our own Alan Barry who was the Cork Masters Hurling Captain last Friday night. Cork drew with Galway, 1 15 apiece. They next meet Tipperary on June 21st and after that they have games v Kildare  and Wexford -well done Alan.

CLUB MEETING The next Club Executive meeting is on next Monday night June 16th at 8.30pm

AMARENCO EAST CORK JFL. On a wet and windy bank holiday Monday night in Aghada, our footballers took on a strong Aghada team, which featured a number of their intermediate hurlers and footballers.With the wind at our backs, we set to the task quickly with club minors Conor O'Riordan and Cormac Barry proving a lively handful for the Aghada backs. With Jamie Buckley, fresh from his Cork City Marathon exploits, and Murat Abdullah winning both good turnover ball and forcing frees in the early stages, it gave us a strong platform.

Veterans Pa O'Driscoll (in a roving role), and Michael Carey (not retired, but fresh from re-tyreing a silage pit hours earlier) supported the young side. Indeed, with James Bermingham as manager snarling at his Aghada counterparts on the sideline, comparisons were drawn to victorious Rovers football teams of yesteryear. All three (Pa, Mike and James) were involved in the epic U21 East Cork football final win over Lisgoold nearly a quarter of a century ago in 2001. As the rain dribbled down, Adam Hynes at centre back dribbled forward and laid off some great ball. The notable scores of the opening half came from the very busy Ryan O'Callaghan and a phenomenal two-pointer free from Conor.  At the other end, Ben Hogan was unleashing his inner Caoimhín Kelleher (without the signing-on fee) with a string of top-class reaction saves. He would finish the game with a hard-earned, yet well-deserved, clean sheet. The sides finished level at 0.5 to 0.5 at the short whistle, and facing the wind in the second half, it would be a case of all hands on a slippery deck.

 Jake Tobin, Ciarán O'Dowd, and Jacob Powell took to the task admirably. Their experience in reading situations and being productive in possession has grown with each game and training session.

John O'Sullivan was again pivotal in working the ball out of defence while his midfield partner, Darragh O'Sullivan, was simply everywhere. From fielding high balls in midfield to settling a dust-up in the forward line on a night of no dust. From gel fuelling flagging 42-year-olds at half-time to playing a delightful yet illegal pass to bring goalkeeper Ben Hogan into play, Darragh continues to be a towering and positive presence in the centre of the field. 

Equally effective was Jordan Mannix. As well as intercepting Aghada attacks, his attitude to move forward and attack was key to our second half story. We clocked on a further two points against the wind and conceded six. This score did not reflect the flow of the game with the Rovers in the ascendancy in the balance of play. Final score of Aghada 0.11 Bride Rovers 0.07Well done to all who pulled on the green white and gold across the seven-game league campaign. Next up is the East Cork JBFC from early/mid July, where we will face St. Catherine's, Fr O'Neills, Glenville, and Ballinacurra.

Team: Ben Hogan Jake Tobin Jordan Mannix Ciaran O'Dowd Michael Carey Adam Hynes Jacob Powell John O'Sullivan Darragh O'Sullivan  Murat Abdullah  Cormac Barry  Jamie Buckley Ryan O'Callaghan  Pa O'Driscoll 

Conor O'Riordan.  Management  James Bermingham. Michael Carey 

 

SCRAP FRIDAY. Back in 2023 when we organised a major fundraiser with the Night at the Oskars the cast of the Fr Ted Film came up with an idea for a scrap metal collection. The scrap was collected from far and wide and brought in a huge financial jackpot. Well the scrap collecting is ‘the gift that keeps giving’. We had three further collections later in 2023, two in 2024. Last Friday we had a full load once again. Thanks to all those who have really got behind this initiative over the past three years. Our next collection will be in September -all enquiries please ring 087 9538077.

BIG DAY IN THURLES ON SUNDAY.  Another great occasion beckons on Sunday for Bride Roers and Cork. I Tom Semple’s Field in the cathedral town of Thurles where it all began on Nov 1st 1884 the All Ireland Minor Hurling semi final will be played. Cork will take on Clare at 1 o clock in a repeat of the game played in Tulla  on April 12th when Cork won a high-scoring contest by 3 24 to 3 17. The Rebels with our own Denis Fitzgerald at full back went on to win the Munster Final against Waterford. As third placed team in Munster Clare disposed of a handy Dublin sider- winning by 2 20 to 0 13. We wish Denis and Cork all the best.  Kilkenny meet Waterford in the other semi in Wexford on Saturday.

CONDOLENCES. WE extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Mary Pyne of Ballybrowney who died at the weekend. The Pyne family have been synonymous with sporting activity in the parish for well over a century. To Mary’s brother Pat, sister Kathleen, sister in law Eileen and brother in law Connie and the extended family we offer our deepest sympathy.

  BRIDE ROVERS CLUB SPONSORS are; Rathcormac Tyres Fermoy Print & Design Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia.

BRIDE ROVERS JUVENILE NOTES.

 

UNDER U9s IN ACTION.

  On Saturday the 31st our under 9 footballers made the short journey to Pairc Mac Gearailt in Fermoy for a football Blitz. During a great mornings sport the young lads played three games. The first game was against Fermoy, then Lisgoold and then Fermoy again. It was a well organised and enjoyable event  and the Young Rovers played brilliantly in the three games.

 

REBEL OG UNDER 14 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Bride Rovers made it two wins from two in the Under14 Division 2 Championship with a dominant performance against Cobh in Páirc Na Bríde. Despite wet conditions — the first time the team played in rain in nearly two months — Rovers were sharp from the throw-in and quickly stamped their authority on the game.

Liam Carr opened the scoring with a fine point from play inside the first two minutes, followed shortly after by another from Cathal Quinlan. Jack O'Dowd then struck the first goal of the match in the 7th minute to extend the early lead. Further scores from Liam Carr (free), Sean Healy, Henry Bagnel (2), and Cathal Quinlan again showed the home side’s attacking intent, while David Aherne also got on the scoreboard. The first half was capped off with a powerful goal from centre-back Cathal O’Brien, before O’Dowd netted his second of the day. Substitute Kai Roddis made an immediate impact with a point after replacing Carr, and Cathal Quinlan added his third point just before the break. Bride Rovers went in at half time with a commanding lead of 4-9 to 0-0.

The second half saw a number of positional changes and the introduction of younger players from the Under 13 panel — a testament to the club’s strong underage development. These changes gave more players valuable game time, and while the second half was more evenly contested, Rovers remained in control.

Cobh managed to get on the scoreboard with two goals, but further points from Padraig Barry, David Aherne, and James O’Regan ensured there was no comeback. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Bride Rovers on a scoreline of 4-12 to 2-2.

This performance underlined the strength and depth of the Bride Rovers panel, with standout displays across the pitch. The contribution of younger players also bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

  UNDER 10’s IN BALLYDUFF FINAL.

WE sent two teams to the prestigious Ballyduff under 10 Festival of Hurling Tournament recently. |It was, as always, a brilliantly organised competition. Our A team qualified for the play-offs on the second Saturday. After some great displays they reached the Final of the Tournament. Our opponents in the decider were Mount Sion from Waterford city and they were worthy winners. Thanks to all the players and their parents and to the Ballyduff Club for the invitation.

THANKS; A big Thank You to all who supported the recent coffee morning for Brian Tumor Ireland in Rathcormac Hall.

WELL DONE MATTHEW.  Another Rovers Rebel ! last Saturday in Semple Stadium , Thurles the Cork ’White’ team met Tipperary in the Final of the Celtic Challenge competition for the Michael Hogan Cup. Our own Matthew Kenny was on the Cork side that won by 1 17 to 0 15. Well done Matthew and well done Cork.

RERBEL OG UNDER 14 HURLING.  Bride Rovers under14 hurlers made the trip to Castletownroche last Friday evening for a high-stakes third-round championship clash with Ballycastle. With their previous League meeting ending in a draw, both teams had everything to play for — but it was Bride Rovers who delivered a dominant performance, securing a superb 7-18 to 2-6 win. From the first whistle, Rovers tore into the game with blistering pace, applying relentless pressure and showing real determination in every area of the pitch. They set the tone early and never let up. Captain Liam delivered a sensational performance, racking up big scores and inspiring those around him with his leadership and work rate but it was a brilliant all-round team performance.   The defence was rock solid, the midfielders set the tempo, and the forwards showed sharpness and creativity. Every player contributed, and the subs made a great impact when introduced. Thanks again to our U13 players who stepped up again, showing maturity and great promise.

This victory was built on teamwork, determination, and pride in the jersey. Bride Rovers Team Line-up:1. Ciarán, 2. Tommy Conway,3. Killian,4. Denis, 5. Seán, 6. Ollie, 7. Ruairí, 8. Cathal Q, 9. Jack Fitz, 10. David Ahern, 11. Jack Ó Dowd, 12. Henry, 13. Pádraig, 14. Liam (Captain), 15. James Ó Regan, 16. Conor C, 17. Harry,18. James O’Leary. Well done to all involved — this week we will turn our attention to welcome our neighbours Castlelyons in the 3rd round of the football championship where it is a top of the table clash on Friday 13th.

2025 CUL CAMP.  The Bride Rovers Cul camp for 2025 is starting on Monday July 28th and continues until Friday August the 1st. Numbers are limited and  the camp is fully subscribed. 

UNDER 16’s BACK. The u16 Premier2 hurling league recommences on Monday 16th when we are away to Charleville. 

WELL DONE

All in the Juvenile Club congratulate our Cork players last weekend, Alan Barry, Brian and Eoin Roche and Matthew Kenny and send best wishes to Denis Fitzgerald on Sunday next with the Cork Minors.

FIXTURES;

  Friday 13 /6 u 14 FC v Castlelyons home at 7.30pm

Sat 14/6 u 13 FL v Glanmire away 7.30pm

16/6 u 16 HL v Charleville away at 6.30

18/6   u 16 HC   Inniscarra away 7.30 (Provisional)

20/6 14 HC v Aghada home 7.30pm