BRIDE ROVERS GAA NOTES.

THREE JUNIOR TEAMS - LOSS, DRAW AND WIN.

 Who would have thought a few years back that Bride Rovers Club would be fielding four adult hurling championship teams? No one in reality, but with growing numbers coming through from underage and new people joining all the time it has come to pass. Back in the 1880’s Fr Edmund Barry PP, whom we regard as the ‘founder’ of the GAA in the parish, saw so many anxious to play that he affiliated a third team -they became known locally as ‘The Holy Terrors; well I suppose we now have the holy, holy terrors in Bride Rovers! Just a few days after our Senior win over Newcestown our Junior A, Junior B and Junior D teams were out in Championship action last week. On a wet Bank Holiday Monday we lost by five points to Dungourney in the Junior AHC. Then on Saturday last our third XV took on Youghal’s second string at Pairc Naomh Caitrionaig in Ballynoe. An amazing game this -we came from ten points down to earn a draw.  Sunday afternoon saw twenty five tog out in Jamesy Kelleher Park Clonmult where our Junior D side battled out a great game against the home side. During the week the Minor Hurlers played a drawn game against Youghal. We had a Club Executive Meeting on Monday night. Next weekend it’s back to Junior B football. Many tributes have been paid to the late Liam O Neill of Laois who was the 37th President of the GAA from 2012 until 2015.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO. Lotto Results for Tuesday the  4th of August – The 4 Numbers drawn were 4, 8, 17 & 27 -and there was No Winner. Congrats also to our lucky dip €30 cash winners Padraig Hoskins, Ballinagore, Eoin McCormack, Kilworth, Mossie McNamara, Kilworth, Breda Lynch, Dungourney and Ann Marie Carey, Monanig. This  week's jackpot on Tuesday August 11th was €3,600. If your ticket has expired, we would appreciate if you would enter again via
Bride Rovers GAA Lotto

Our junior hurlers opened the championship campaign when they travelled to Castlelyons on the Bank holiday Monday. Having reached the final of this competition last years hopes were high for another good campaign, but we knew playing Dungourney would be tough as they entered the Junior A ranks after winning the Junior B County last year.

There was a strong wind up the pitch for this game and Dungourney were playing with the elements for the 1st half. The game started at a lightening fast pace and both sides shared 10 points in the opening 10 minutes with our scores coming from Matthew, Cillian, Adam, Ed and Jack.

The rate of scoring dropped off slightly as some heavy showers began to fall to make the conditions even more challenging. A second point from Ed saw the team’s level 6 points each in the 15th minute mark. Dungourney got the next 3 points in a row before points from Adam and Cillian saw us trailing by the minimum at the break on a scoreline of 8 points to 9.

Turning to play with the wind in the second half hopes were high that we could use the elements to our advantage and an early point from Adam saw the team’s level again. Dungourney then got the opening goal from a penalty spot and this gave them a 3-point margin which we never seemed like closing. Points from Adam and Ben were keeping us in the game but when Dungourney struck for their second goal they had opened up a 8-point margin 2-13 to 11 and our backs were against the wall. Points from Adam two had closed the margin and when a brilliant, kicked effort from Cillian was deflected over the bar by a superb save from the Dungourney goalie it was clear it was never going to be our day.

The lads never stopped trying but we couldn’t break down the Dungourney defence and they ran out deserved winners on a score line of 2-14 to 15 points. Our next Junior A game is on Thursday the 20th of August when we travel to Glenville to take on Sars at 7:30pm

Team & Scorers: B Hogan, K Cotter, O Roche, T O’Sullivan, G O’Connell, L Collins, A Hynes, B Knox (0-1), O Kielty, C Barry (0-3), E Cashman (0-2), S Knox, M Kenny (0-1), A Hayes (0-7), J Mannix (0-1) Subs D Buckley

 

Our Junior B hurlers opened their championship campaign against Youghal on Saturday evening in Ballynoe. This team is stepping up a grade from Junior C last year, so everyone was prepared to be right up against it, and the players gave a great account of themselves in what was a spirited comeback to get a draw against a good Youghal side.

Youghal started brightly and had the opening 2 points before Frank got our opening score. Youghal then got the opening goal of the game, but Frank got his second point and the lads then settled into the game a bit more and scores from Ryan and Liam helped reduced the margin.

Youghal then got a second goal from the penalty spot to make to take a 2-5 to 4 points lead in the 20 minute mark. Credit to the lads our as our defence got on top and we went on a run of 5 unanswered points from Frank, Ryan (2), Tom and Seamus to reduce the margin to 2 but Youghal got the final two scores of the half to give them a 4 point lead at half time 2-7 to 9 points.

The second half didn’t start well for us as Youghal went on a run of six unanswered points to take a 2-13 to 9 point lead- ten points down.  Three points from Ryan and one from Shane immediately after he came on to the pitch gave us some hope but two more points from Youghal had the lead back out to 9 points 2-16 to 13 with 10 minutes left to play.

We probably needed goals at this stage, but it was hard to break past the Youghal full back line. four unanswered points from Ryan (2), Jason and Liam had the margin back to 5 points 2-16 to 17 but another point for Youghal saw them still holding onto a two-goal lead as we entered into added time.

Our first goal came from a brilliant shot from Tom that rocketed into the top corner and the gap was back to 3 points and the ball seemed to be permanently inside the Youghal 21 for the final two minutes of the game. Finally with time nearly up Liam won a high ball inside the square and was dragged down for a penalty. Ryan’s bullet of a shot shot flew into the bottom corner to leave the game tied on 2-17 each after an exciting 60 minutes of hurling. Having come from ten points down this was a great result -well done lads.

Next up for this team is our second round game vs Aghada on Sunday the 23rd of August at 11:30am in Cobh’. Team & Scorers: R O’Riordan, E O’Connor, J Mannix, R Barry, J O’Sullivan, A Buckley, C O’Sullivan, L Harrington, R O’Callaghan (1-8), T Macak (1-1), S Dowling, F O’Flynn (0-3), J Buckley, L Forde (0-2), S Ahern (0-1) Sub J Mannix (0-1), S O’Dowd (0-1)

 

EAST CORK JUNIOR D HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP. This year, for the first time, the East Cork Board introduced a Junior D Hurling Championship. Four Clubs entered  Midleton, Fr O Neills, Dungourney and ourselves.  With fifty players already used at Senior, Junior A and Junior B level it was great to see 25 togged out last Sunday afternoon in Jamesy Kelleher Park, Clonmult- the home of Dungourney GAA Club. In reality it was a very historic occasion for the Club, fielding a 4th Adult Hurling Club. When we reformed in 1965 we had just a single adult team –‘twas the same in 1993 when we won our second B Grade title. How times have changed and for the better. Team management Mike Liddane and Craig O Callaghan had assembled a strong squad. We had a few of the  ‘old Guard’ like Dinny, Jason, Terry and Tomas as well as young guns like Gary, Jack, Craig and young Denis Fitzgerald and a mighty mixture of other seasoned players. Playing with a stiff wind blowing up to the road we took control of the game early on.  An early goal from Enis Foitz and some superb points by  Jacob, Darragh and Craig saw us lead by 1 5 to a point after twenty minutes. Our defence led centrally by Brian and  Jason dealt capably with the Dungourney attack. By half time we led by 1 7 to 0 3. Second half sub Darragh O Farrell quickly hit over a point followed by a goal and we were well in command. Alan Barry added two more white flags as Terry and Tomas K also came on. In the end we won convincingly by 2 11 to 0 9.  Having been involved with the Club since 1972 I must say I felt a great sense of pride and positivity  at the game. Our history-makingTeam & Scorers: D Fitzgerald Snr, J Kearney, Brian Collins, J Tobin, Barry Collins, J Pratt, G Quirke, N Kelleher, C O’Dowd, J Collins, D Fitzgerald Jnr (1-0), D O’Sullivan (0-1), J Powell (0-5), S O’Flynn, C O’Callaghan (0-2) Subs D O’Farrell (1-2), A Barry (0-2), T Broderick, T Kearney, J Buckley, D Kelleher, S O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, D. Delaney, K. McNamara.  A special day for the two Denis Fitzgeralds -Senior and Junior playing on the same team. When the Bride Rovers Club was formed in 1928 Patrick Fitzgerald of Fort Richard, Bartlemy was one of the founders. Pad Fitz as he was known was  grandfather  and great grandfather of the two Denises who lined out on Sunday last. Our Next Junior D game is vs Fr O’Neills Sunday the 23rd of August at 7:00pm in Rathcormac.

 

CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING. We had an attendance of 24 at Monday night’s Meeting with the Cathaoirleach James Bermingham in the Chair. The Minutes of the last meeting, correspondence, results, fixtures, finance, East Cork and County Boar reports were all dealt with. Meetings of the Development, Finance and Centenary Sub Committees were arranged.  Work is ongoing on the fields and facilities. Fielding our fourth adult hurling team was mentioned as being a great achievement. A Scrap Metal Collection is impending.  After several matters were raised under AOB votes of sympathy were passed to the Howard, Mannix and Mc Carthy families on their recent bereavements

 

LIAM O NEILL RIP. There was genuine sadness amongst the GAA community last week when we learned of the death of former Association President Liam O Neill of Laois. Liam ran for the Presidency in 2009 when Christy Cooney was elected as Uachtarain. In 2012 Liam’s popularity was proven when, for the first and only time in the history of the GAA, he was selected unopposed as the GAA’s 37th President. A very able administrator Liam was a man who spoke when he had something sensible to say.  He loved the Irish language -like his father before him Liam was a National School teacher. He died after a very short illness.  I was at his reposing in Burkes Funeral Home in Mountrath last Friday afternoon. In the long, long queue I spoke to many Laois GAA people -all held Liam in high esteem. On the way back from Mountrath I visited Trumera – I often heard Liam speak of his beloved Trumera GAA Club.  A truly rural area Trumera boasts just a GAA pitch, a Community Hall and the National School (now a Gaeilscoil) where Liam succeeded his father as a teacher.  Liam was a great Gael, a sound Laois man and a proud Trumera man. May he rest in peace.

CAR BOOT SALE. The last Car Boot sale  saw a huge crowd at Rathcormac.  The fine weather made conditions brilliant and hopefully ‘twill be the same for next Sunday August 16th.. Thanks to those who help regularly, new helpers are always wanted. Even if you can give an hour -anytime from 7am on Sunday morning it would be of great assistance.

 

FOOTBALL Having lost our opening game in the East Cork JBFC we now face a tough assignment v Glenbower Rovers in Ballynoe on this coming Saturday August 15th at 4 o clock. Best of luck lads.

 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.

BRIDE ROVERS JUVENILE GAA NOTES.
REBEL OG FE 14 HC.
Under-14 Division 4 Hurling Championship
 
Bride Rovers 1-9 | Erin’s Own 2-8
Rovers put in a hugely encouraging performance in the Division 4 Hurling Championship, eventually losing out by just two points to Erin’s Own after a very competitive encounter. Erin’s Own got off to the better start and struck the opening goal after just over two minutes. Rovers created opportunities of their own during the opening quarter but found scores difficult to come by, while Erin’s Own added a couple of points to build an early advantage. As the half progressed, Rovers began to settle into the game and started to create more opportunities in attack. Daniel Fitzgerald opened the Rovers account with a point from play in the 20th minute.
The crucial moment in Rovers’ first-half comeback arrived shortly before the break. Fitzgerald was again to the fore, finding the net in the 28th minute to bring Bride Rovers right back into the contest.  At half-time, Erin’s Own held a narrow two-point advantage, 1-3 to 1-1, but Rovers had built momentum and were very much in the game.
Rovers produced an excellent response after the restart. Jack O’Donovan opened the second-half scoring with a point from play before Cian Barry struck two points in quick succession. Daniel Fitzgerald then added another from play as Rovers hit four unanswered points in a little over two minutes. It was an excellent spell of hurling and completely changed the complexion of the contest. Erin’s Own responded with a free, but Bride Rovers continued to push forward. Ryan Hogan got on the scoresheet with a point from play before Barry converted a free as the sides continued to trade scores.
Rovers were getting contributions from across the team and continued to stay right in the contest. Barry added another free before substitute Liam Ryan made his mark with a point from play in the closing stages to put Rovers three up as the clock hit 60 minutes.
The game remained finely balanced entering the final minutes, but Erin’s Own edged ahead through a couple of converted frees before delivering the decisive blow with a goal in the 33rd minute.
Rovers continued to battle until the final whistle, but the late goal proved the difference as Erin’s Own held on for a 2-8 to 1-9 victory. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives for Rovers to take from the performance. Having fallen behind early, the lads worked their way back into the contest and were particularly impressive after half-time.
Bride Rovers Team & Scorers;
Joey Allen; Harry Fitzpatrick; James O'Leary; Harry Fitzgerald; Aidee Carr; Oisín Dorgan (C); Luke Buckley; Ryan Hogan (0-1); Patrick O'Regan; Jack Roddis; Kayden Freeman; Daniel Fitzgerald (1-2); Jack O'Donovan (0-1); Cian Barry (0-4); Seán O'Dowd.
Subs: Elliot Fitzgerald; Adam McCarthy; Liam Ryan (0-1); Darragh Healy; Conor O'Leary.
The Under14s have a busy few weeks coming up with 11 games overall in August.
Fixtures:
Tue Aug 11| Pynes| 7.30pm - Division 1 Football Championship Semi Final v Glenville
Thurs Aug 13| Pynes| 7.30pm - Premier 2 Hurling League v Ballincollig
Sat Aug 15 |Pynes| 11am - Division 4 Football Championship v Kildorrery
 
Best of luck to Alex McCarthy and Jack Fitzgerald, and all their East Cork teammates as they defend their Tony Forrestal crown this weekend in Waterford.
REBEL OG MINOR HURLING.
Bride Rovers and Youghal draw 0-18 to 1-15
In the second game of the minor hurling championship, the Rovers faced Youghal with both teams coming into the match with a win to their name. A tight first half saw the Rovers go into the break with a three point advantage with the scoreline 0-11 to 0-8 thanks to scores from Mattie Kenny, Finn O'Driscoll and Shane O'Dowd. The game held a steady competitive pace in the second half, with a Youghal goal putting them ahead in the closing minutes. A late point from Michel Walsh saw the Rovers equalize 0 18 to 1 15, Youghal had a late chance to seal the game with a free, but it drifted to the right of the post to see the Rovers hang on for a draw.
Team:
C. Somers, T. Cronin, M. Hynes, E. Lyons, J. Walsh, C. Barry, D. Hurley, O. Harris, G. Quirke, M. Walsh, F. O'Driscoll, D. O'Farrell, M. Kenny, S. O'Dowd, D. Costigan Subs: D. Fitzgerald for E. Lyons, F. Lynch for D. Costigan, R. McSweeney for J. Walsh.  Scorers: M. Kenny (0-5), F. O'Driscoll (0-4), M. Walsh (0-4), S. O'Dowd (0-3), D. O'Farrell (0-1), C. Barry (0-1).  We are on 3 points now with a win over Sars and a draw with Youghal
 
Bride Rovers Under12s
The Bride Rovers Under 12s have been keeping busy lately, with both the Football and Hurling League campaigns well underway.
As we enter Phase 2 in both hurling and football, the team has already completed two hurling games, with two more group games remaining. We began our campaign against Sarsfields and came away with a win on a scoreline of 5-7 to 2-9. The players worked hard throughout and showed great determination to get the result.
On Sunday, 9th August, we travelled to Midleton for a 13-a-side encounter. Bride Rovers got off to a strong start and built up an early lead. Midleton continued to battle throughout the game, but the Rovers boys kept working hard and held on to record a 3-7 to 1-9 victory.
Our Football League campaign is also underway, and on 31st July we came away with a win over Fr. O'Neill's, with a final score of 4-6 to 1-6. The team produced a solid performance against a very good Fr. O'Neill's side, with their hard work and teamwork evident throughout the game
The boys continue to put in a great effort at training each week, and the focus now turns to the remaining league and group games as the football and hurling seasons progress.
FIXTURES. Thurs 13 Aug fe 14 Hl, Premier 2 Phase 2  v Ballincollig at 7.30
Fri August 14th fe 13  2C F. L  phase 2 v St Nicks, home 7pm
Sat. Aug 15th fe 14 div u 14 Football c.ship home at 11
Sat August 15th fe 16 H  4B v Eire Og in Ovens at11am.
Tues 18th Aug fe 13  Div 2 AHL v Na Piarsaigh 7.45 in Pynes
 
CUL CAMP 2026. At Monday night’s Executive Meeting there was great praise for all the volunteers who helped with the Cul Camp. With over 200 participants it was a wonderful week and credit to all the coaches, guest Cork players and Club Members who gave assistance with stewarding and parking.
 
CAR BOOT SALE. Next Sunday is Car Boot Sale day so anyone who can give a helping hand, even for an hour, will be very welcome.