BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES

 SENIORS & JUNIOR B’s IN LEAGUE FINALS.

 

Well next Sunday is the longest day of the year and GAA activity at local and Inter County level is at ‘Fever Pitch’. Last Sunday we qualified for two Hurling league Finals, securing promotion in both for next year. Our Lotto Jackpot didn’t last long! Next Saturday we have the 2026 Tony Walsh Hurling Cup Final and a Car Boot sale and a game in Thurles. Truly there’s never a dull moment!

SENIORS IN HL FINAL.  Bride Rovers senior hurlers secured promotion to Division 1 of the RED FM sponsored Cork County Hurling League for 2027 following their 4 point win over Ballincollig on Sunday. The win also guarantees us a place in the Division 2 Leagueleague final against Erins Own. Having only being promoted to Division 2 this year, the Rovers had a strong league campaign with wins over Ballincollig, Ballymartle, Kanturk, Valley Rovers and Na Piarsaigh, while they played out two exciting draws with Newtownshandrum and Carigaline, their only defeat coming to Erins Own. There is still one game to play against Newcestown on Saturday 27th June in Rathcormac at 5pm -and of course Newcestown will also be our first Premier Senior Championship opposition.

Sunday was a lovely bright morning for the game versus Ballincollig, played at The Powdermills - home to Ballincollig GAA. The wind did make shooting at times tricky.

The Rovers started well with Cormac O Sullivan opening the scoring in the first minute, Davy Barry added a second and Cormac scored again a minute later. Ballincollig pointed from a 65 before a well worked move involving Louie Roche and Ronan O Connell saw Cillian Tobin advance up the field to get a point. 

With Adam Walsh causing the Ballincollig full back all sorts of trouble, he was dragged down and awarded a penalty which Cillian Tobin duly converted. Ballincollig added a few points from placed ball to reduce the deficit to 1-04 to 0-3. Both sides swapped points with Conor Barry getting his first of 3 in the 15th minute and Paddy O Flynn getting a brace also. Adam Walsh pointed a 65 before Cian Hogan pointed a long range free against the wind to leave the Rovers in front at half time on a scoreline of Bride Rovers 1-09 Ballincollig 0-07.

The first half was a very workmanlike performance with our defensive unit of Ryan Prendergast, Denis Cashman, Tadhg O'Sullivan, Kieran Kearney and Cormac Barry to the fore. Unfortunately Kieran had to retire injured and was replaced by Jack Mannix.

Playing with the wind in the second half, the Rovers raced into a ten point lead with points from Paddy O Flynn, Conleth Ryan, Cillian Tobin, Louie Roche and a huge point from our goalie, Cian Hogan. Paddy O’Flynn got his fourth point of the day in the middle of 2 from Conor Barry. The dismissal of Cillian Tobin saw Ballincollig come back at us with a well taken goal and some excellent points. However two points frees from Adam Walsh ensured a Rovers win. Final score: Bride Rovers 1-19 Ballincollig 1-15.

Team: C Hogan, R Prendergast, D Cashman, T O Sullivan, K Kearney, C Tobin, C Barry, C O Sullivan, R O Connell, C Ryan, L Roche, P O Flynn, D Barry, A Walsh, C Barry. Subs used: J Mannix & O Kielty.  Earning promotion with a game to spare is a great achievement

-well done lads. Before the final League game we have another very important fixture next Saturday with the 2026 Final of the Tony Walsh Cup.

 

EAST CORK JHL Division 4.  After the success of our senior hurlers qualifying for their League final on Sunday morning our third team, the Junior B hurlers looked to do the same when Midleton were the visitors to Rathcormac for our final game in the league phase. Both sides were tied on the League Table on 9 points going into this game so a place in the League Final and promotion to division 3 for next year were on the line. In essence it was a League semi-final. Our lads started brightly but our shooting was leaving us down at the start as we started with four wides on the trot. It was the 5th minute before the opening score came when Ryan got our opening goal, points from Tom and two from Damien gave us a 6-point lead.

Midleton came more into the game then and got four  of the next 6 white flags to bring the score back to 1-5 to 4 points in the 20-minute mark. Ben and Ryan got two more points for us before Frank got our second goal to extend the lead out to 2-7 to 4. Damien added another point before Midleton responded with 1-1 at the other end. Our response to the Midleton goal was nearly immediate and Oran got our third goal after a great run from midfield. Midleton would add two more points before half time to leave the score line 3-8 to 1-7 at the break in our favour.

We started the second half smartly and Damien got the opening point before Matthew got our 4th goal which he quickly followed with another point. A point each from Tom and Matthew saw us out to a 4-13 to 1-9 lead before Adam got our 5th goal. Points from Craig, Gearoid & Darragh O’Farrell kept the scoreboard ticking over as we approached the 60th minute. Two more late goals one each for the two Darragh’s saw us out winners on a final score of 7-18 to 2-14 and qualifies us for a league final against Sars. The game will likely be on the weekend of the 27/28th of June.

Team & Scorers: S O’Flynn, R Barry, J Mannix, A Buckley, J O’Sullivan, A Hynes (1-0), C O’Sullivan, B Knox (0-1), O Kielty (1-0), D Buckley (0-6), M Kenny (1-2), F O’Flynn (1-0), R O’Callaghan (1-2), L Forde, T Macak (0-2). Subs; G O’Connell (0-1), D O’Sullivan (1-0), A Hayes (0-1), E Cashman, C O’Callaghan (0-2), D O’Farrell (1-1), J Kearney, B Collins. This year we are fielding four adult hurling teams so getting our third XV to a League Final is mighty.

THREE LEAGUE FINALS.  We are now qualified for three League Finals;  East Cork JHL Div 4 v Sars (Prov June 27/28), East Cork Junior Football League Div 3 Aghada fixed for Friday July 3rd,  Senior HL Div 3 v Erins Own (prov 12/13th July)

 

 LOTTO WON AGAIN. The Lotto Results for last Tuesday 9th of June were as follows; Numbers drawn were  3, 8, 11 & 14 and there was one entry with the correct numbers - Sandra Murphy from Blackrock. Congrats to Sandra on her win and thanks for your support.

Congrats also to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Vincent Cronin, Rathcormac, Tina Gallagher, c/o Online Lotto,  P O’Brien, Riversdale, Caroline Fitzgerald, Main St., and  Noel Crowley, Bridgelands West. This  week's starting jackpot  on Tuesday June 16th was an incredible €2,000.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 and remember a Lotto Ticket costs just  2 and they can be got from Club members, online and  in local business outlets- remember if you’re not in you cant win!

 SCRAP SATURDAY? Well not exactly but the Bride Rovers Club will shortly be holding the first Scrap Collection for 2026.  If you have any scrap metal from a biscuit tin to a combine harvester -or anything in between, we will gladly take it off your hands. All enquiries to 087 9538077.

CORK v OFFALY.

I suppose over the years all of us in the Bride Rovers Club have a great old gra for the Offaly teams- wearing the Green, White and Gold like ourselves. Back in 1985 – all of 41 years ago, the Offaly Senior Hurlers came to Rathcormac and played Cork in the Official opening of Pairc na Bride. All such sentiment will be in the past next Sunday when the Rebels meet the Faithful in Tom Semple’s field in Thurles in the All Ireland quarter Final. Best of luck to Brian, Eoin and all the Cork panel.

MINOR HURLING.  So the Cork Minor Hurlers, with our own Cathal Barry involved, are gone from the Championship. At the Ennis Road pitch in Limerick last Saturday Cork were defeated by Tipperary, again, this time in the All Irl semi-final.  Thanks lads for some great games and the huge effort ye put in all year.

RAYMOND SAW IT ALL!  The beautiful pitch of the Inniskeen Grattans Club in County Monaghan was the scene of a major Gaelic football ‘upset’. Armagh were the hottest of favourites to beat the ‘Wee County’ but Louth finished strongest when a shot from Sam Mulroy ended up in the net with seconds left to give the Louth men a famous win. On one ‘post’ was our own Raymond Hegarty who was umpiring with Conor Lane.

CORK v DERRY. At the time of writing we still had no date venue or time for the Cork v Derry All Ireland Minor Football semi final next weekend. We expect twill be on Saturday and we wish Michael Walsh and selector Vincent Cronin all the very best. Kildare meet Tyrone in the other semi on Friday night the 19th in Breffni Park.

CORK v LAOIS, CAMOGIE. Saturday will be a busy, busy day in Pairc na Bride. With underage training in the morning , the First Aid Course and the Tony Walsh Cup Final at 12 noon. Then at 3 o clock Cork Play Laois in a Senior Camogie challenge game.

HANNAH’S PITCH OPENED. Congrats and well done to Fermoy GAA  on the opening of their new pitch, ‘Hannas’ last Friday night.

TONY WALSH CUP 2026.  We had arranged the 2026 Final of the Tony Walsh cup for next Sunday June 21st against West Waterford side Fourmilewater providing the opposition. With Cork now playing Offaly on Sunday we had to rearrange the fixture.  So next Saturday June the 20th has now been agreed by both Clubs. With players attending the Zach Bryan gig in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday evening the throw in will now be at 12 noon on Saturday.

In late 1964 when the Rovers Club was reorganised at the first meeting in Bartlemy Hall an interim five man Club Committee was formed to assist the new Officers. The Committee members were Dave Ryan, Tony Walsh, Tom Heskin, Willie Cotter and Tony O Brien. Donal Lehane NT was elected Secretary for 1965. During the School holidays in early summer Donal went home to West Cork and Tony took over as Club Secretary. The club started off with a Junior B hurling team and Tony soon slotted in as corner back -  a position where he won three East Cork medals, B grade in 1966, A grade in 1968 and 1969. In 1966 when the Rovers made the East Cork breakthrough Tony was secretary and player and Club Chairman Michael Murphy was also on the team. Just fifty years ago, in August 1966 Tony and all his team mates were training hard for the East Cork Junior B Hurling semi-final against St. Catherines.  Tony played for the Club until the early 1980’s -lining out at corner back but wearing the number 13 jersey for a few seasons in the 1970’s. He was the traditional corner back, safe, reliable and ever present. He knew his role and his place on the field of play. He played that game as sportsmen did play it, he was manly straightforward and clean on the field. In a long playing career he was never sent off. He was never a man to retaliate or strike a foul blow  - that wasn’t his style. His dual role as player and officer rested lightly on his shoulders - out of the first one hundred games the Rovers played in the 1965 -1967 period Tony lined out in 98 of them ! As a club officer he served as Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Registrar and Juvenile Secretary  - for a total of twenty seven years. When his own playing career finished he became a selector and was involved with the JHL winning teams of 1981 /82, the Minor Co League winning team of 1992 and the East cork JBHC winning team of 1993. Tony Walsh epitomised all that is good in the GAA. He loved the games, the Cork teams - but above all he loved the Bride Rovers Club. We can never repay the debt which Tony and people like him have paid to make our Club one of the best in Cork.
Tony was proud to wear the green, white and gold  jersey with distinction. In playing this Tournament we hope to ensure that wherever and whenever Bride Rovers are mentioned the name of Tony Walsh will never be forgotten. Our visitors Fourmilewater won the Waterford Div 3 S. H. League last weekend and feature the Barron brothers and Sean Walsh -all Waterford Senior players. It promises to be a good game and admission is free so do come along.

FIRST AID COURSE. The Healthy Club Committee have organised a two-hour First Aid event for mentors involved with our teams in the GAA club and LGFA and Camogie club. This will take place on this coming Saturday  June 20th in the clubrooms. As team mentors are often the first people to respond when an injury or emergency occurs, it is important that each age group/team has at least two mentors trained in Sport First Aid to support the immediate needs of our players. The course typically costs between €40-€50 per participant but is being fully subsidised by the GAA, and LGFA and Camogie clubs. Please note that if the course is over-subscribed, the organisers will prioritise to ensure at least one mentor from each age group can attend. The closing date for registration is imminent. To cater for as many mentors as possible, two workshops have been organised for that day. You only need attend one -either the morning or afternoon session. To register for the AM Session - 9.30am to 11.30am, contact the lead mentor for your team/your child's team or a club officer to register for the PM Session - 12pm to 2pm, contact the lead mentor for your team/your child's team or a club officer. A few places are still available in the 12-2 session so please ring Mike at 0879808973.

PAINTING. At the last Executive meeting it was decided to paint the entrance walls to Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the yellow lines on the terracing and the gaol-posts. This will be progressed this week and next. Cleanup night continues each Thursday night in the main pitch

EXAMS ONGOING. Best wishes to all our players, Boys and Girls,  are now finishing their Junior and Leaving Cert Exams.

CAR BOOT SALE.

Weather conditions on Bank Holiday Monday practically rained off our last Boot sale. Our next Boot sale is on this coming June 21st which will be a busy, busy GAA day Many hands make like work.  If you could give an hour or two anytime from 6 am onwards on that Sunday morning do come along - please contact any GAA Club officer or Billy Finnegan Chairman of the Boot sale Committee to offer any help.

 

CLUBZAP. For latest Club news and fixtures just check Bride Rovers Clubzap.

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.

BRIDE ROVERS JUVENILE GAA NOTES.
 
UNDER 10’S IN KILDARE.  A few years back former Bride Rovers Hurler Ciarain O Donovan (Ballinakilla, Bartlemy) invited us to take part in a huge underage tournament organised by his adopted Club, Naas, in Co. Kildare. We have got an annual invite since to a Festival of under 10 hurling.   Naas do a superb job of organising with Clubs, literally from all over the country participating. On Saturday last or young hurlers headed off for the Midlands with an early start. They met Naas in the first game and had a good win. Next up were another ‘Lilywhite’ team, Kilcock and a second victory was recorded here with some grand hurling.  On then to the semi final against De la Salle of Waterford City, This was an outstanding contest - truly the highlight of the day,  with some serious hurling played by both teams. The young Rovers were thrilled to qualify for the Final. In this game  they crossed camans  with Kilkenny’s Dicksboro. The Kilkenny side proved too strong but overall it was a great day’s hurling.  The team was Logan Noctor O Brien, Senan O'Connor,  Bobby Mohally, Patrick Broderick, Philip Manley, Oisin Keneally, Noah Peters, Tiernan O'Regan, Thomas Finn, Ronan Murphy, Olainn Keaneally, Aidan Bourke, Rory Healy, Tom Kearney,  Daragh Ryan. Thanks to all who helped make all the arrangements for the day and a huge ‘thank you’ to the Naas Club for their hospitality.
 UNDER 14 ROUND UP.
With the first rounds of both the football and hurling championships now complete, attention turns back to training this week. It has been an excellent start to the championship campaigns, with our U14s topping their groups in both codes and putting themselves in a strong position for the knockout stages ahead.
On last Saturday, our U14 footballers travelled to Glenville to take part in the 10-a-side Super 10s tournament. Eight teams took part in what was a highly competitive and enjoyable day of football. Bride Rovers were drawn in a group alongside Lisgoold, Aghada and Castlelyons. We faced a strong Aghada side in our opening game and lost out by four points. The lads responded well in the second match, recording a three-point victory over Lisgoold before narrowly losing to Castlelyons by a single point in the final group game. Despite the two defeats, a favourable scoring difference saw Rovers qualify for the Plate Final, contested by the second-placed teams from each group. There, the team produced an excellent performance against Kilavullen and were deserving winners on the day. Congratulations to captain Patrick O'Regan, who proudly accepted the Plate trophy on behalf of the team. A sincere thank you to everyone in Glenville for hosting such a well-organised and enjoyable tournament.
Training for both football and hurling continues over two nights this week as preparations begin for the next stages of the championships.
Our next competitive fixture sees the Team 1 hurlers take on Mallow on this Friday evening June 19th at 6.30pm in Pynes.
 
UNDER 6 FOOTBALL. The Under 6 boys had their first football blitz of the year at the weekend. We were away to Glenville and the young lads showed some great skill and determination in their fun games.  We had 16 boys present and they were strong and sporting from start to finish. Thanks to Glenville who we're great hosts on the day.
BEST WISHES. We wish the Cork Minor Footballers the very best this weekend when they meet Derry in the All Ireland semi final. Bride Rovers are so proud to have Michael Walsh involved with the Minor team and also Vincey Cronin as a selector.
CUL CAMP. Our annual Cul Camp will be held  at the end of July. With over 200 participants registered it promises to be a brilliant week and we might have the Liam McCathy  or Sam Maguire Cups -or both! The Juvenile Club are looking for volunteers for the week or part of it- to help with stewarding, car Parking etc. If you could help  on any day please contact any Club Officer.
FIXTURES.
Friday June 19th   fe 16 HL v Kilworth/Araglen, away at 8pm. Fe 14 HL v Mallow home at 6.30.   Tues June 23rd fe 13 Football v Fermoy in Pynes at 8pm.