Under 14 hurlers win

The U14 championship culminated in a comprehensive victory against Kilara Óg (Kilworth/ Araglen) in the U14 Division 1 Shield Final played in Pairc na Bhríde last week. Our boys controlled the game from very early on with all the forward line scoring and Denis Fitzgerald punishing any fouls by Kilara through some highly accurate free taking.

The team lined out with Owen Ryan, solid in goals; corner backs David Dixon and Éanna Lyons marshalled their areas flanking Cathal Barry at full back. Jack Lynch lined up in centre back assisted either side by James Finn and Darragh O’Farrell. Garry Quirke and Jamie Walsh patrolled the midfield area taking it in turns to advance into the danger area with some great puck outs being placed to them by Owen.

In the half forward line Denis Fitzgerald lined out on the 40 with James Larkin and Michéal Walsh making runs either side. The full forward line consisted of Con McCormack at full with Matthew Kenny and Adam Kelleher on his left and right. Finn O’Driscoll and Shane O’Dowd entered the fray early on in the match and contributed strongly in what was a solid team performance. After 20 minutes the score was 2-10 to 0-4 with the Rovers having taken control having played into a slight breeze for most of the first half.

The second half played out similarly, although Kilara did menace around the goal area on occasion and managed to score 2 goals. Overall, the boys put in a fantastic performance which led to a victory won with some style. The Cork East Board representative spoke highly of both teams as he presented the shield to victorious captain Denis Fitzgerald. Full Time score: Bride Rovers 5-23 Kilara Óg 2-10.

Panel: Owen Ryan, Éanna Lyons, Cathal Barry, David Dixon, James Finn, Jack Lynch, Darragh O’Farrell, Garry Quirke, Jamie Walsh, James Larkin, Denis Fitzgerald, Michéal Walsh, Matthew Kenny, Con McCormack, Adam Kelleher, Shane O’Dowd, Finn O’Driscoll, Adam Murphy Fitzgibbon.

JACKPOT AT €21,600

Yes it’s true, our lotto jackpot of €21,400 was not won on the longest day of the year, Tuesday June 21st when the four numbers drawn were 7, 17, 18 and 31. We are still waiting confirmation but we believe that the massive jackpot of €21,600 on Tuesday, June 28th was one of the biggest in Munster. Congratulations to our lucky dip €30 cash winners: Ann Hurley, c/o Pat Mannix, Dan Nolan, Rathcormac, Loretta Aherne, Glenville, Mary Ryan c/o online lotto, Ross McCarthy, Fermoy.

Tickets can be purchased from club members, in local business outlets and online at www. fundraiser.com Next week’s jackpot is an incredible €21,600.

‘UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN’

They say winning a title in the GAA is hard and retaining the Cup for a second year is even harder. Thus it was for us last Friday night when our Junior Footballers began the defence of the East Cork title we won last year with a great win in the decider over Cobh. Our opening game in the 2022 competition was against Cloyne in Lisgoold on Friday evening at 8pm. This was played in atrocious weather conditions and the Rovers will have it all to do in their remaining two fixtures having suffered defeat to Cloyne on a score-line of 1-09 to 0-05 . We played with the wind in the first half but we didn’t convert a lot of early possession.

We had four wides in the opening quarter. In fact it took eighteen minutes for the opening score, a point from Cloyne. This was followed by a Cloyne goal and we were in trouble. In fairness we came into the game in the second quarter points from Adam Walsh and Tom Murray got us going. Just 4 points in arrears at halftime we started the second half with plenty possession but again scoring was difficult. Cloyne won by seven points, 1-9 to 0-5.

Team: Stephen Glasgow, Jack O’Connor, Shane O’Connor, Jason Mannix, Kieran Kearney, Shane Walsh, Tom Murray, Liam Forde, William Finnegan, Jordan Mannix, DJ Cahill, Seamus Ahern, Ed Cashman, Adam Walsh, Damien Buckley, Ben Hogan, Jamie Barry, Paul Larkin, John O’Sullivan, Nicky Kelleher, Dave Barry, Ronan O’Connell and Cian Hogan.

This is a round robin competition so we have two more games at least to play.

The next game for the Rovers will be against Aghada which is fixed for Friday, July 8th at 8pm - venue TBC.

U8 HURLING

On last Saturday, June 25th, our under 8s welcomed the Magpies of Midleton to Pairc na Bride. We had 23 boys togged out to play an hour of hurling. Week on week it is marvellous to see the team improving and last Saturday they displayed great skills, team work and determination. We are down to play Midleton again next weekend this time we will be playing football. New players are most welcome to join us and learn the skills of our native games.

U17 HURLERS IN FINAL

Last weekend we were meant to have two games, against Killeagh in hurling and against Mayfield in football. Unfortunately due to various reasons Killeagh were unable to field a team in the Premier 2 hurling shield semi-final. We now progress to the final where we play Erin’s Own on Friday, July 8th.

The venue is yet to be confirmed.

On Sunday we travelled to Mayfield with a depleted team to play our last football match. Unfortunately the home side proved too strong for us.

Panel; Colin, Darragh, Oran, Denis, Kieran, Ryan, Cormac O’S, Cillian O’S,

Cillian B, Cormac B, Gearoid O’C, Ciaran, Ronan, Luke, Gearoid, Ben and Conor.

We have an under17 Hurling challenge v Midleton Sunday, July 3rd at 11 in Midleton.

CUL CAMP

Great news about our Cul Camp, it’s completely booked out. This year it run from Monday July 25th until Friday 29th . The Camp will comply with all the rules and regulations for such gatherings. The planning work is well underway. It will probably take between 50 and 70 volunteers to make the Cul camp work as smoothly as last year.

UNDER 13’S WIN

The U13 Green team played Carrigtwohill on Sunday evening last in Pairc na Bhride in the Premier 1 hurling league. The lads were anticipating a stiff challenge from Carrig having played them in previous years with very little between these two sides. This wasn’t the case on Sunday where the Rovers were dominant throughout and ran out comfortable winners.

Our lads played against a strong wind in the first half and opened the scoring with a point from Micheál which was quickly followed by a goal from Donagh. Carrigtwohill responded with a few points of their own with the Rovers raising a second green flag when Nathan hit the net. At half-time, the Rovers led on a score line of 2-06 to 4 points but they didn’t have it all their own way in the opening 30 minutes and only for some brilliant saves from John, the scoreline would have been a lot closer.

The second half saw the Rovers up their work rate and they provided a fantastic display of score taking with the final score ending up at 3-20 to 0-06 points with the goal in the second half coming from Finn.

This was one of the best hours of hurling that these boys have given over the past few seasons and every player contributed to the result. John was solid between the posts where he kept a clean sheet and was unerring with his puckouts. Oliver was in control at full back and was flanked by Danny and Bobby with Cathal leading the line at centre back with Mark and Ciarán flying on the wings.

The midfield pair of Finn and Tadhg were busy as ever with a high intensity hour of hurling. All six starting forwards got on the score sheet and their speed of movement and willingness to defend from the front was a significant contribution to the overall result. Donagh, Micheál and Matthew made up the half forward line with Nathan, Sebastian and Darren making up the full forward line. Daniel, Dylan and Evan came on to play their part.

Team: John Noonan, Bobby Sweeney, Oliver Harris, Danny Walsh, Ciarán O’Donovan, Cathal Barry (0-02), Mark Hynes, Tadhg Cronin, Finn O’Driscoll (1-07), Donagh Hurley (1-0), Micheál Walsh (0-07), Matthew Swalbe O’Sullivan (0-01), Nathan Cahill (1-0), Sebastian Byrd (0-01), Darren Kearney (0-02), Dylan Keating, Daniel Gubbins and Evan Quaine.

The U13 football gold team are playing next Saturday, 2nd July away to Youghal at 4pm with the under13 gold team hurlers away to Youghal the following weekend on Sunday, 10th July at 3pm.

RED FM SHL

Our final RED FM SH league match is against Charleville on this Friday, 1st July at 7.45 Charleville. Speedy recovery to the lads still out with injury.

ALL-IRELAND MINOR HURLING FINAL

So strange that at 1.30pm next Sunday, the first Sunday of July, the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final is on. Not in the traditional venue of Croke Park will the U17 hurlers of Offaly and Tipperary cross hurleys but below in Nowlan Park. The Kilkenny venue is top class but Croke Park is where All-Ireland finals should be played. They say about 20% of those who contest Minor finals get to play in a Senior final during their later careers, all the more reason to play national finals in our National Stadium.

WELL DONE BARRY

Former Rovers star Barry Johnson lined out in Dalymount Park last Saturday with the ‘’Feileacain Fathers’ in a fundraiser for Feileacain (The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland). Barry’s team took on their counterparts from the North of Ireland, SANDS, in a game to raise funds to help families who

have lost a child around the time of birth. Last Saturday’s contest was won by Barry Johnson and his team mates on a score-line of 4-0 to 0-0. It was a fantastic success with €64,000 raised so far. Contributions can still be made to www.idonate.ie/FeileacainFathers v Sands

JERRY O’SULLIVAN RIP

We extend our sympathy to the family of Jerry O’Sullivan of Bishopstown, Cork City and formerly of Rathcormac who died last weekend. Jerry along with his brothers Matty, John Joe and the late Paddy played for St. Bartholomew’s and Bride Rovers. Jerry was full forward on the Junior B team defeated by Castlelyons in the 1965 Championship semi-final in Riverstown. Jerry served his country in the National army and was based for many years in Collins Barracks. The Bride Rovers Club sends it’s sympathy to Cecilia, Paul , Vivienne and Virginia, grandchildren and to his brothers. May he rest in peace.

CORK V DUBLIN

I suppose very few gave us a chance against the Dubs in the Football Quarter final at Angelus Hour in Croker last Saturday. In fairness to John Cleary’s side they gave it their all. Since the Spring the SF panel has been dogged by serious injuries. Hopefully John will stay on and with many of the injured players returning we can be fairly confident of seeing the Cork Football fortunes on the up once more.

BIG GAMES

County Championship Games at Pairc na Bríde.

We have been asked to host five Championship games for the County Board as follows: Fri, July 22nd at 7.30pm Senior A Football C Round 1 Bishopstown v Fermoy; Sat July 30th at 4pm Premier Junior HC Round 1 Dripsey v Ballygiblin; Fri, Aug 5th at 7.30pm Premier Intermediate HC Round2 Castlelyons v Watergrasshill; Fri, Aug 12th at 7.30pm Intermediate A Football C Round 2 Glanworth v Glenville; Sun, Aug 28th at 4pm Premier Senior Hurling C Round 3 Erin’s Own v Bishopstown.

OUR OWN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE AS FOLLOWS

Senior Hurling - Sun, July 31st at 2pm SAHC R1 Carrigtwohill v Bride Rovers in Midleton; Sun,

Aug 7th at 2pm SAHC R2 Bride Rovers v Ballyhea in Kildorrery; Sat, Aug 27th at 7.30pm SAHC R3 Bride Rovers v Ballymartle in Riverstown.

U19 CHAMPIONSHIPS

This week the County Board announced the Gradings and Groupings for the U19 hurling and football Championships. The hurling is to commence next Wednesday July 6th - we got a bye. Other teams in our Championship are Fr O’Neill’s, Passage, Carrigtwohill, Watergrasshill, Aghada and St Catherines. The football championship commences on Wednesday July 13th when we are billed to play Passage (in Rathcormac). The other teams in this section are Mayfield, St Nicks, St Vincents and Fr O’Neill’s.

SYMPATHY

Bride Rovers GAA Club extends sympathy to the Ring family of Cloyne on the death of Ann Smyth (nee Ring) daughter of Hannah and the late Willie John. Ann is a sister of East Cork Board GAA President Willie Ring.

SPONSORS

Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design and Veolia.