BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

SAM GOES WEST AS ROVERS BEGIN QUEST.

Well the 2026 GAA Inter-county season ended on a brilliant high last Sunday -Reek Sunday, when Mayo ended a 75 year ‘famine’ to win just their 4th ever All Ireland Senior Title. It was a unique and emotional occasion.  That’s half the Split Season for 2026 done and dusted. Now the attention turns to the real important stuff -the Club Championships.  We are back at Premier Senior and begin our campaign on Saturday. Meanwhile the Cull camp goes ahead this week. The Lotto Jackpot of €3000 was not won on Tuesday July 21st. We host a big game on Sunday and the Junior Championship starts in hurling on Monday.

MAYO WIIN AT LAST. Not since 1951 has the Sam Maguire Cup gone West to Mayo. A dozen losing finals has been the lot of the teams from Mayo in the last seven and a half decades. Amazingly in the last thirty years mayo were favourites to win on several occasions but never did. No pundit gave the Westerners much of a chance on Sunday as Kerry stood to defend the title won last year.   ‘Boys stick together, don’t show the white feather wherever you go’ is a line from ‘The Boys of The County Mayo’ and fair play to them, down 1 5 to 0 1 after quarter of an hour ‘twould be easy for mayo to capitulate once more.  They didn’t and in a wonderful Final Mayo won by three points. Truly it was one of the greatest ever GAA occasions in many, many years.. This writer has been lucky to have attended well over a hundred finals in both codes since 1972 and this was one of the very best. I saw Tyrone, Armagh, Derry and Donegal all win their very first titles and they were memorable occasions. None of these counties however had endured so much   Final Heartbreak down the years as Mayo. Sunday was special, deeply emotional and never did I see the crowd linger so long in Croke Park. Well done Mayo. We have several Mayo natives and many with Mayo ‘connections’ in our parish so enjoy this one- ye deserve it.

JUNIOR B FOOTBALL. WE opened our East Cork Junior B Football Championship campaign last Saturday night in Dungourney. We faced Ballinacurra in a tough game. We competed well but Ballinacurra's point scoring ability was the big difference in their  2 15 to 3 5 victory.  Full Report later.

REBEL OG Under 14 HL. Rovers produced a disciplined and clinical display to overcome Killeagh by ten points in an entertaining league encounter that puts Rovers into a potential league final with one game to go. The opening quarter was tightly contested. Killeagh took an early lead through a series of frees, but Rovers settled well. Points from Dara Murphy and Tommy Conway got the scoreboard moving before Conor Healy and Alex McCarthy also found the target. Jack Fitzgerald added an excellent free, while Dara Murphy continued to impress from play as Rovers gradually took control.

At the other end, the defence worked tirelessly to limit Killeagh to scores mainly from placed balls, with Killeagh managing just one point from play in the opening half. By the interval, Bride Rovers had built a deserved 0-9 to 0-5 advantage.  The second half followed a similar pattern. Tommy Conway and Conor Healy kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Jack Fitzgerald converted another long-range placed ball. Killeagh remained in touch through frees but struggled to create clear-cut chances from open play as the Rovers defence stood firm.  The decisive moment arrived midway through the second half when Jack Fitzgerald finished brilliantly to the net after a run through the Killeagh defence, stretching the lead. Killeagh responded with a couple of scores, but Bride Rovers never looked in danger. As the game entered injury time, Dara Murphy capped an outstanding individual performance by firing home Rovers' second goal, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing a comprehensive 2-15 to 0-11 victory.  There were strong performances throughout the team, with the defence restricting Killeagh to just three points from play over the hour.

Team: Noah Collins,  Cameron Hoare,  Darragh Feeney,  Oisín Dorgan,  Luke Fitzgerald,  Jack Fitzgerald (1-2),  Thomas Hegarty,  Tommy Conway (0-3),  Ryan Hogan,  Eoghan Croke,  Alex McCarthy (0-1),  Jack Barry,  Patrick O'Regan,  Conor Healy (0-5),  Dara Murphy (1-3), Liam Harrington,  Jack Gubbins,  Cian Barry and James O'Leary.

REBEL Og MINOR HURLING;  Bride Rovers defeat Sars II 6-27 to 0-14

The Rovers faced off against Sars II in an away first round game of the Division 1 hurling championship. The game was played at Teddy McCarthy Park Riverstown on last Thursday evening. We got off to a strong start with points from Míchael Walsh, Mattie Kenny, Shane O'Dowd and Finn O'Driscoll. Goals from Shane O'Dowd and Mattie Kenny pushed out advantage going into half time 3-14 to 4 points up thanks to strong play from our backs and Calum Somers in goal. The second half continued strong with points from Gary Quirke, Darragh Costigan and Mattie Kenny along with goals from Costigan Kenny and O'Dowd leaving the final score 6-27 to 0-14. Our next game sees us take on against Youghal on next Wednesay August 5th – this will be a home fixture for us. Team,:

C. Somers, T. Cronin, E. Quaine, D. Walsh, J. Walsh (0-1), M. Hynes, D. Hurley, O. Harris (0-1), G. Quirke (0-1), M. Kenny (3-6), F. O’Driscoll (0-8), D’ O’Farrell, S. O’Dowd (2-3), M. Walsh (0-2) , D. Costigan (1-5)

Subs:; J. Larkin for D Walsh, D. Dias for D. Costigan, L. Murphy for D. O'Farrell, D. Kearney for G. Quirke, J. Lynch for D. Hurley.

 BIG GAME IN PITCH. On Sunday next Pairc na Bride hosts Kilworth v Ballymartle n the Cork PIHC at 2 o clock. Plenty help needed so be at the pitch not later than 1  o clock.

REBEL OG UNDER 14HC.  Bride Rovers II produced a much-improved second-half display but ultimately came up short against a sharp and clinical Éire Óg side in last Sunday morning's championship encounter. The visitors settled quickly and punished a sluggish opening from Rovers. A combination of scores from play and placed balls saw Éire Óg build momentum, while Rovers struggled to establish themselves. Despite working hard defensively, Rovers found themselves trailing 1-9 to 0-1 at the break, with Oisín Dorgan registering the only first-half score from a 65. The second half was a completely different contest. Rovers emerged with far greater intensity, immediately winning their opening puck-outs and carrying the game to Éire Óg. The improvement in work rate, support play and aggression around breaking ball was evident.The reward came early when Daniel Fitzgerald finished confidently to the net after excellent attacking play. Rovers continued to create chances, with Daniel Fitzgerald adding two further points from play and Cian Barry converting a free. Kayden Freeman found the back of the net to further reduce the deficit and give the team renewed belief. Although Éire Óg responded with a number of frees to maintain control, Rovers continued to battle until the final whistle and won the second half on the scoreboard, showing the character and determination that had been missing during the opening period.  FINAL SCORE  Eire Og 1 14 Bride Rovers 2 4. Team: Joey Allen, Luke Buckley,  James O'Leary,  Seán O'Dowd,  Theo Skillington,  Oisín Dorgan (0-1),  Harry Fitzpatrick,  Kayden Freeman (1-0), Patrick O’Regan,  Jack Gubbins,  Liam Harrington,  Aiden Carr, Daniel Fitzgerald (1-2),  Cian Barry (0-1),  Jack O’Donovan,  Eoin Burke,  Hugh Clerkin and Killian Donegan. 

Thursday July 30th - Div 4B Football League v Blarney - Pynes at 7.30pm.

Monday Aug 3rd - Div 4B Football Championship v Erins Own - Caherlag at 7.30pm.

 

LOTTO.. The Lotto Results for Tuesday 21st of July the  Numbers drawn were  11, 12, 18 & 27 and there was No Winner. Congrats also to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Bart Arnold, Bartlemy, Lisa Ryan, Shanowen, Fachtna O’Driscoll, Main St, Teresa Quirke, Rathcormac and Shane O’Connor, The Rock, Bartlemy. This week's jackpot on July 28th was €3,200.
If your ticket has expired, we would appreciate if you would enter again via

CUL CAMP. Micheál Walsh picked up a nasty wrist injury following his 300 requested signatures on MOndao afternoon at the Bride Rovers Cúl Camp!!
 The annual Bride Rovers Cúl Camp commenced at 10 am on Monday morning in Páirc na Bríde with 208 young boys and girls, and nearly 50 coaches involved. Up to 95 different coaches mentors and parents are supporting the camp between here and Friday July 31st..
Following three hours of skill development, fun blitz games and other fun activities on Monday, we were visited by members of the All Ireland winning Cork Minor Football team.
Bride Rovers men Vincent Cronin (Cork mentor) and Micheál Walsh (player) spoke well to our young players about the commitment and dedication needed to complete at this level, and how attending club training, as well as activities like Cúl Camps are an important stepping stone.
A big ‘Thank you’ to Vincent, Micheál and the other Cork Minors from East Cork; Kieran Archer, Rus Rovers, Riain McCormack Midleton,  Aaron O Sullivan Glanmire, Pol O Connor Lisgoold and Donncha Coleman Youghal for generously giving their time to our youngsters. Well done also to the young players for their efforts during the week. Thanks for bringing the Tadhg Crowley (Munster) and Tom Markham (All Ireland) Trophies.

  

 CAR BOOT SALE. The Car Boot sale on Last Sunday week  saw a huge crowd at the Rathcormac  The fine weather made conditions brilliant. Thanks to those who helped out on the day. The next Sale is on Sunday August 16th

 

CORK MASTER HURLERS WIN. Congrats to Alan Barry and the Cork Masters (over40) Hurlers in Athenry last Saturday. Alan played midfield with this team last year, assumed the role of mentor this year and was one of Ross Cashman’s backroom team for 2026 Cork captured  the Masters Challenge Cup final last Saturday in Athenry with a 0 20 to 1 12 victory over Limerick .well done Alan and all concerned.

 

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

 

 FIXTURES Sat Aug 1st Premier Senior Hurling v Newcestown in Ballincollig at 7pm Sun Aug 2nd Kilworth v Ballymartle Pairc  na Bride at 2 0 clock

Mon Aug 3rd East Cork JAHC v Dungourney in Castlelyons at 2 o clock

Wed Aug 5th MHC v Youghal at 7pm.

 

Sponsors; .The Bride Rovers GAA Club sponsors are Fermoy Print & Design, Rathcormac Tyres, Gerard Gubbins Construction and Veolia -please support our sponsors whenever you can.