BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

ROVERS RETURN WITH GREAT WIN.

Making our return to the Top Flight of Senior Hurling in Cork  after six years our lads gave a great display in defeating Newcestown on Saturday. A nine point winning margin reflected our dominance on the night.  On a wet Bank Holiday Monday our Junior A side went down to a strong Dungourney side-report later. There was no Lotto Jackpot winner. The brilliant Cul Camp finished up last Friday. Thanks to those who helped out with the PIHC game on Sunday. This coming weekend our Junior B and Junior D Hurling teams will be in Championship action. Our next Club Executive meeting will be on Monday August 10th.

CORK PREMIER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

 Bride Rovers last played a game in the Cork Senior Hurling Championship in August 2019 when we lost out to Ballyhea in a high-scoring contest. Since 2020 the SHC has been divided in two- the Premier Garde and the A Grade and we have spent six years in the Senior A Hurling Championship. Last years  County Final win over Castlelyons elevated us up to the Premier Grade again. So at 7 o clock last Saturday night in Ballincollig we made our return to the Premier Senior Grade. No one said it would be easy and when we met Newcestown in Blarney a few years back we were well beaten. Having won the Div 2 SHL a month ago confidence in the camp was good but we all know the League and Championship hurling are poles apart. There was huge Rovers support in Ballincollig when Ciaran O Regan threw in the sliotar. The host club had watered the pitch with several weeks and it was in great condition. Cormac Barry replaced the injured Cormac O Sullivan from the beginning. They say ‘Tosach maith leath na h-oibre’ (a good start is half the work), well we certainly got that. Early points from Brian Roche and Ronan O Connell settled us perfectly. Between those scores Cathal Wilson brought off a great save from Louie Roche. In the early minutes Newcestown had a few attacks but Cillian and Eoin marshalled our defence superbly. Adam  struck over a free after Davy Barry was fouled to make it  0 3 to 0 1 after six and a half minutes. Further points from  Brian and another Adam free saw us up 5 points to one in the thirteenth minutes. We seemed well in control at this stage but strangely it was Newcestown then hit a real purple patch. Four white flags in a row and the scores were level on the 20th minute. A pass from our backline that went astray resulted in the Carbery men going a point up from a free, 0 6 to 0 5. Kieran Kearney passed to Ronan and he levelled the score at 6 each. That score got us going and a massive  score from Cillian Tobin restored our lead. Then came a huge score. Cillian and Conor combined to send a long delivery into the corner where Adam got it and shook off tough tackles to  finish to the net. Almost immediately Cian Hogan pointed a long distance free, 1 8 to 0 6 ahead. In the 30th minute Brian was fouled and Adam gave us a mighty six-point half-time lead 1  9 to  0  6. Having started so well and then seen Newcestown take the lead our response was very good.  We expected a massive onslaught from the men who had beaten Nemo Rangers in the Senior Football a week before but our backs stood firm. Indeed we really dominated the third quarter. In the fifteen minutes after the break we  raised the white flag seven times to lead by 1 16 to  8 points.  The points came from Adam and Cian Hogan- frees, Cormac Barry, two more placed balls from Adam, either side of a  great score from Brian Roche and then another from Brian. Josh Eoin and Denis at the back played great hurling Newcestown were held to just 7 points from play over the hour. Our lads played some nice hurling all through the game. We were well in command towards the end though outscored by six points to four in the last te n minutes.  With eight minutes left Cillan Tobin sent over a huge point from way out. Adam slotted over another free and Paddy O Flynn and Ronan got our final two points for an impressive 1 20 to 0 14 win.  Conor O Riordan and Conor Barry came on  and we wish Davy Barry a speedy recovery from his shoulder injury. The Saw Doctors wrote a song a  few yeas ago about the Round Robing System of Championship games in Cork –‘To Win Just Once’ and how right they were! Winning the first Group game is huge as it takes the pressure off.  It does not, of course, guarantee anything but for the next three weeks training will be enjoyable as we prepare to take on St Finbarrs.  Team;  C Hogan; E Roche, D Cashman; C Tobin; J Ahern, K Kearney, C Hazelwood; Cormac Barry, R O’Connell; C Ryan, B Roche, P O’Flynn; D Barry, A Walsh, L Roche.. Subs C O’Riordan for B Roche (42-43 temp), O’Riordan for Ryan (56), Conor Barry for D Barry (60 inj). Scorers; A Walsh 1-7 (0-7 f), B Roche 0-4, R O’Connell 0-3, C Tobin, C Hogan (2 fs) 0-2 each, Cormac Barry, P O’Flynn 0-1 each. Well done to Liam Steve and all the management and to the entire panel who have put in a huge effort not just in recent months but over the last few years as we tried to get back up to the Premier Senior Grade.

Remember 2019?. When we met Ballyhea in August 2019 we lined out as follows; S. Knox, F. Collins, L.Forde, E. Roche, C. Ryan 0 1, B. Murphy, S. Walsh, P O Flynn 0 1, S. O Connor 0 1, M.Collins 0 1, J. Pratt, D. Dooley 0 2, B.Johnson 3  9, T.O Sullivan, B.Roche 0 1 ; Sub K. Kearney. Barry’s total of 3 9 was the highest score of any individual player in a single match in the 2019 Cork Senior Hurling Championship. We lost to Ballyhea that day by a single point 4 16 to 3 20.

ON HOLIDAYS. It was great to see Frs Seanie Barry and Gus and Fachtna O Driscoll at the game in Ballincollig -three men who’ve given tremendous service to the Rovers over the years.

REBEL OG UNDER 14 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.

There was nothing to separate Rovers and Erin's Own after an absorbing Under-14 Division 4 Football Championship encounter, with both sides finishing level on 4-8 (20) after a game packed with momentum swings, goals and a dramatic finish.Erins Own took a 4 point lead inside the opening 10 minutes. However, Rovers came storming back into the game with Kayden Freeman scoring a goal which was quickly followed up by a Cian Barry point. Jack Gubbins then scored with a well-taken goal before Cian Barry added another point to leave the Rovers leading 2-2 to 0-4. However, Erin's Own gradually worked their way back into the contest through a combination of scores from play and placed balls, punishing a number of frees conceded by the Rovers. Despite the pressure, Bride Rovers remained dangerous in attack, with Patrick O'Regan and Cian Barry continuing to create chances. Rovers lead 2-3 to 0-6 at the break. The second half proved every bit as entertaining. Erin's Own came out strongly, scoring three goals in the opening 10 minutes to seize control of the match and go into a 7 point lead. Rovers refused to panic and responded with excellent character. Eoghan Croke and Cian Barry chipped in with important points before Kayden Freeman converted a free. Patrick O'Regan then finished clinically for a crucial goal that brought the Rovers right back into contention. Erins Own responded with a scrappy goal but substitute Darragh Healy made an immediate impact with two well-taken points. With 10 minutes to go, Rovers were 7 points down and now found themselves within a goal going into injury time. With time almost up, Rovers won a 13 m free and Cian Barry rattled the ball to the back of the net to draw the game- both teams scoring 4  8. The determination shown to fight back repeatedly will give the group plenty of confidence heading into the remainder of the championship. Team: Daniel Maher, Harry Fitzgerald, Oisín Dorgan, James O'Leary, Conor Dorgan, Eoghan Croke (0-1), Liam Harrington, Aidee Carr, Patrick O'Regan (1-1), Kayden Freeman (1-1), Jack Gubbins (1-0), Sean O'Dowd, Daniel Fitzgerald, Cian Barry (1-3), Jack O'Donovan, Elliot Fitzgerald, Darragh Healy (0-2) and Conor O'Leary.

CUL CAMP 2026.  The 2026 Cul Camp came to a wet conclusion last Friday. With 208 participants it was a great success. With mainly cool and overcast weather conditions -just perfect for the daily three-hour sessions. Thanks to parents, children, coaches, Bride Rovers Cork players and other guests, Club volunteers and sponsors who made the week possible.  Numbers have grown in recent years which is brilliant. For many youngsters the Cul Camp is a first introduction to Gaelic games, hopefully they will have enjoyed the week.

CONGRATS. Well done to Fermoy Golf Club Juvenile team that won the Munster East Final last Monday, defeating Dungarvan in the Final.  They now qualify for an All Ireland Quarter Final.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO.

The Lotto Results for the last Tuesday of the Summer,28th of July -were as follows. The 4 Numbers drawn were  3, 11, 12 & 29 and there was No winner of the €3200 Jackpot. Congrats to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Ann Marie Carey, Monanig, Somer/Hoskins Family, Ballinagore, Trish O’Sullivan, Rathaneague,  Liam Parle, Bartlemy and  Nevan Butler, Bartlemy
This  week's jackpot on Tuesday August 4th was €3,400.
If your ticket has expired, we would appreciate if you would enter again via
Bride Rovers GAA Lotto

Tickets for each weekly draw are just €2 each and can be bought online or from Club members or in local business outlets.

JUNIOR HURLING TEAMS IN ACTION. This coming weekend will see our Junior B and Junior D Hurling teams in Championship action. On Saturday evening at 7pm our Junior B side meet Youghal in Balllynoe at 7pm. The following day, Sunday, our Junior D team travel to Dungourney to meet the home side with a 2.30 throw-in. Best of luck to all the players and Management.

SHC FIXTURES. Our next two Senior HC Group games are as follows. August 22nd v St Finbarrs in Pairc Ui Rinn at 5 0 clock and two weeks later v Midleton in Caherlag Sept 6th) at 4 0 clock.

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

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.