Bride Rovers Notes (9th Oct)

  • Oct 09,2025
BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.
COUNTY FINAL BECKONS.
For just the fifth occasion in the ninety-five year history of the club our hurlers have qualified for a Cork County Final. A might win over Carrigtwohill on last Saturday evening in Pairc UI Chaoimh sets up a unique and wonderful Bride-side County Final. Over the years  the phrase ‘local derby’ has often been used but ‘twas surely never more apt than for this Bride Rovers and Castlelyons Final. In recent years we have contested Senior Hurling League Finals- including earlier this year, and also Under 21 and Minor Finals but getting to a Senior A Final is so special. In 2021, ’22, ’23 and 2024 we reached the Semi Finals so repeating that for five years in a row was never an option for our hurlers. Playing with a strong breeze against Carrig in the first half we had a four point lead at the break. In the second half when ‘hot grew that fight, those hearts grew more eager’ and we qualified for the County Final. In the second semi Castlelyons were very impressive winners over Championship hot favourites Blarney to set up a unique Final on Saturday week. Storm Amy upset Fixtures on Friday and our East Cork Junior Hurling semi final against St Itas went off. We hosted the second semi on Sunday when Cobh defeated Carrignavar. The last Lotto for September saw our Jackpot at €16,600 – there was no winner.
 
SENIOR A COUNTY SEMI FINAL.
 Bride Rovers 3 14 Carrigtwohill 1 14
If at first you don’t succeed try and try again….well that’s exactly what our hurlers did  at a splendid Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Saturday evening.  Fr O Neills for two years and then Blarney for the last two seasons had defeated us at the penultimate stage of the County Senior A Hurling Championship. They were tough defeats to stomach but what can a group of hurlers do -take it on the chin and come back the following year? Fair play to our lads they knuckled down and pulled on those Green, White and Gold jersies once more and back into the fray. Those stomach-churning losses are in the past now as we are in the County Final now. Storm Amy swept across the country on Friday and Saturday and by Saturday evening while the rain was gone the wind was still high.  When the sliotar was thrown in, quarter of an hour before the evening Angelus, on the Banks of the Lee we had the stiff breeze behind us. Carrig, who won their three Group games, started in a lively manner and pointed a free within seconds.  Kieran Kearney levelled up matters immediately. Our next two attacks yielded but wides. In the fifth minute Cian Hogan made a great save from Mulcahy and Sean Walsh pointed the resultant 65 and a minute later his brother Pat put Carrig 3 to 1 ahead.  Cian’s huge puckout was caught by Brian Roche -white flag; 3 to 2. We had plenty possession, wind-aided, but Carrig were defending very well and added a fourth point from Cian O Riordan in the 8th minute. Brian Roche made it 4 to 3 with a good point. Nearly ten minutes gone and Carrig goaled from a penalty. They had a second goal chance but Cillian Tobin got in a perfect flick on the sliotar. That was a vital save as an early seven-point deficit could have been a disaster. Both teams had wides, 1 4 to 0 3 with twelve minutes gone.  Then Adam Walsh gave to Conleith Ryan who took on two defenders and finished to the net- goal!  This score was like a rallying call to the lads and we thundered into the game. We scored six points as against one for Carrig as we grew into the game. The defence got great distance into clearences. Cillian got two points from way out as did Paddy O Flynn and white flags from Davy Barry and a free from Adam gave us a 1 9 to 1 5 lead at half-time. Considering the strength of the breeze it wasn’t a huge lead and when Carrig got the opening score after the short whistle it was nervy. Josh got a good pass from Paddy and pointed. We went up three several times and Carrig kept bringing it back to two. Brian and Adam (free) made it 1 12 to 1 10 before Davy gave us a goal lead in the 45th minute.  A ball out of defence was collected by Brian who evaded two tackles -goal and we were up six. Looking good now but Carrig never faltered and four points in a row saw our lead back to a shaky two, 2 13 to 1 14; four minutes left.  Cormac, Louie and Conor came on to play their part. On the 60th minute Paddy made it three. Adam Walsh gave to Davy who hit in a high pass to Ronan. He took off and struck a great goal we were up 3 14 to 1 14.  A few edgy minutes but we held on to qualify for our first County Final since 2008.   Scorers: B Roche 1-3, P.O’Flynn 0-3, C Ryan, R O’Connell 1-0 each, A Walsh (2 fs), C Tobin, D Barry 0-2 each, K Kearney, J Ahern 0-1 each.
BRIDE ROVERS: C Hogan (j.c); J Peters, E Roche, D Cashman; C Hazelwood, C Tobin, S O’Connor; D Barry, K Kearney; P O’Flynn, B Roche, C Ryan (j.c); R O’Connell, A Walsh, J Ahern.
Subs: C O’Sullivan for Kearney (52), L Roche for Ryan (56), C Barry for O’Flynn. Well done lads and special well done to the Management of the side. We’ve won nothing yet but great to in the Final at last. These two weeks will be super by the Banks of the Bride. Credit to the huge and very vocal Bride Rovers supporters on last Saturday night in the Park
BRIDE ROVERS COUNTY FINALS.
1933 Intermediate Final, 1998 Junior Final, 2023 Intermediate Final, 2008 Senior Final and now 2025 Senior A final.
EAST COUNTY FINALS. With ourselves and Castlelyons in the County SAHC Final and Midleton and  Sars in the P SHC Final ‘twill be a great weekend for East Cork
 UNDER 10’s IN LIMERICK.  On last Saturday the 4th of October we took part in the Tommy Burtchaell Under 10 hurling blitz held in the Na Piarsaigh We had one team participating on the day. We played Na Piarsaigh and South Liberties of Limerick and Cork sides Newtownshandrum and Blarney. The boys work-rate was unbelievable all day. The passing, hooking, blocking, and shooting was exceptional by all the boys. Thanks a million to Ralph Marsh of Na Piarsaigh for inviting us up to Caherdavin. Our boys thoroughly enjoyed the day
WELL DONE EIRE OG. Though we’ll never forgive him for what he did to Cork in 2013 we still say ‘well done’ to Shane O Donnell and his Eire Og Ennis team mates on winning the Clare County SHC title for the first time since 1990. Shane often did a training spin in our gym in Pairc na Bride when working with Fergus in Moorepark. Eire Og are now looking to win the Clare S Football title as well.
JHC SEMI FINALS. Last weekend the two East Cork JH semi finals were down for decision. Our game against St Itas fell foul of the weather on Friday when the Dungourney pitch was deemed unplayable. On Sunday afternoon Carrignavar and Cobh came to Pairc na Bride for their semi. After a close contest Cobh won by three points. Our game will probably be refixed for Friday night or Saturday of the coming weekend. NOTE; NOW FIXED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT OCT 10TH AT 7.30PM IN DUNGOURNEY.
LIGHTS AND ACTION. Great to see training and games now in full swing under the new lights at Pynes. The floodlights are a superb addition to our facilities both  from  training teams and playing matches for juvenile and adult teams.
SCRAP,SCRAP, SCRAP.
Yes the Oskars are over but we still value your scrap metal. Anything from cutlery to a combine is acceptable and appreciated. Thanks to all who gave scrap last week for the collection. We will be having another metal-gathering competition in the coming days -full details from 087 9538077.
FLAGS, BUNTINGS , COLOURS.  Great to see the green, white and gold colours proudly fluttering everywhere, keep it going now to support the lads. Anyone that wishes to support the Club financially at this time just please contact any Club Officer.
THE LATE DICK SHELLEY. We were all so saddened last week when heard of the death of Dick Shelley. From Mullinahone in Tipperary Dick came to our parish in the late 1960’s when work brought him from the Premier to the Rebel County. A fine hurler Dick was involved with the great Rovers Junior A team of the 1968/69 era and he played B grade for a few years after that.  A great character, brilliant company and a sound man in every respect. As a machine operator there was none better. Dick took great pride in his work and a brilliant example of his skill is our own Pairc ne Bride which he levelled and laid out to perfection. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends in Cork and Tipperary. “And we never will forget the great man that we met, from the Valley of Slievenamon’
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO. The Lotto Results for Tuesday the 30th of September were as follows; numbers drawn 7, 11, 18 & 32 so No Winner
Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Nikita Parle, Desert Cross, Denis Fitzgerald, Main St., Anke Fitzgerald, Kildinan, Joyce & Sinead, Coolnakilla and Monica Croke, Tipperary. This  week's jackpot on Tuesday October 7th was an incredible €16,800.. If your ticket has expired we would appreciate if you would enter again via  Play Bride Rovers GAA Lotto
 
 BRIDE ROVERS V CASTLELYONS DOWN THE YEARS;
1965;  East Cork Junior BHC semi final Castlelyons 5 6 Bride Rovers 3 9. Team P Hoskins, P O Sullivan, P O Regan, T Walsh, J Meade, Ml. Murphy, D Shelley, W Sheehan,  M O Sullivan, S Barry, E Barry, Jimmy O Brien, D Canty G O Sullivan, T O Brien, Subs; M Gubbins, P Sheehan, E Hoskins.
1991; Junior BHC first round replay (Drawn game Bride Rovers 0 14 Castlelyons 2 8) in Ballynoe, Castlelyons 1 7 Bride Rovers 1 5. Team; M O Flynn, M Kearney, L Cahill, M Walsh, L Kearney, D Ahern, M Hogan, N Twomey, A Cahill,  T Broderick, T Mulcahy,  B Hogan, A O Flynn, O O Connor, B O Riordan. Subs D. Johnson, K Quinlan, JJ Barry.
 
PLAY IN BARTLEMY. On Friday week October 17th the Kilmeen Dramatic Society will stage their play ‘The Weir’ in Bartlemy Hall at 8pm. Tickets (including refreshments) are just €15. To book for this great night phone 0087 9538077.
  COUNTY FINAL DETAILS.
SATURDAY OCT.18th 5.30 in Pairc UI Chaoimh IAHC Co. Final Aghabullogue v Bandon. 7.30pm Bride Rovers v Castlelyons Senior A County Hurling Final. The refer appointed is Ian McCarthy from the Bandon Club.
 
CLASH OF COLOURS. Because our Green, White and Gold colours are similar to the Castlelyons Green and Gold both Clubs will wear alternative colours for the Co. Final.  
SYMPATHY. We extend our sympathy to the families of the late Eileen Hallahan, Bridge House and Eddie O Brien, Terramount.
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.