Busy Weekend For Club.
With our Junior and Minor Hurling teams in Championship action and Pairc Na Bride hosting a big game this coming weekend promises to be a hectic one. Add in the Cork Senior Hurlers qualifier against Offaly, an Executive Meeting and a Senior Hurling League game -never a dull moment!
It may be early July but it is certainly not summer like weather. Last weekend several games in Cork were called off because pitches were unplayable and many other fixtures had to switched. Normally this time of the year one would expect to dust rising in the square but it’s water is mainly rising at present. With so many fixtures all across the various grades down for decision it’s a real headache at present.
Junior Hurling.
Our Junior Hurlers have a very tough assignment in the second round of the East Cork Oil A Grade Hurling Championship. Having lost to Carrignavar by three points in Round One we got a difficult draw in the backdoor series. Our opponents Castlemartyr have won two East Cork titles in the last three years. They were beaten by a very strong Sarsfields side by a margin of two points in their opener.
This year we competed in Division 1 of the Cavanaghs of Fermoy Inter Divisional Hurling League. We had a very variable campaign but overall we gave some very good displays even in defeat. This is our second team so the personnel available are largely determined by the fortunes of the senior team. We’ve used nineteen players to date in our two senior games against Erins Own and Na Piarsaigh. In our first round game against Carrignavar we had a very slow start, dominated the second half and were defeated by a margin of three points 1 13 to 2 7. We had the deficit down to a single point with ten minutes to go but Carrig struck for their goal. Castlemartyr will undoubtedly be hot favourites for the game but our lads will, as usual, give of their best for the jersey.
At the time of writing no definite details of the venue and time are available. The East Cork Board have decided that all Round Two games have to be played before Sunday so Saturday afternoon is a likely time. Go for it lads.
Minor Hurling.
Our Minor Hurling team are in championship action on Monday night next July the 9th. We take on Erins Own in the MAHC in Lisgoold at 7pm. Our Minor Hurlers have had a lot of games this year. We participated in the County MAHL and also the League for Non Exam Players. Wins were scarce but the players did display some great hurling prowess. Our Minor Panel is small but they have put in a great amount of time in training this year. Best of luck to all concerned.
Senior Hurling Championship.
With the Cork Hurlers in Qualifier action on Saturday night our Round 3 game against Blackrock has again been postponed. Depending on the result of Corks clash with Offaly a date or at least a provisional date for our game may be pencilled in at the weekend. Meanwhile we play Bishopstown at the city side venue at 11 o clock on Sunday morning next July 8th.
Premier Intermediate game.
On Sunday night next, July the 8th Pairc na Bride will host the Round Three clash of Watergrasshill and Castlelyons in the Cork Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship. With a very light fixture list across the County on Sunday night there should be a fine crowd at this game- weather permitting! The sides met her on the last Sunday in June two years ago and the Hill won after a high scoring game, which went to extra time. On that occasion the Hill won by 0 26 to 2 17. Kevin Murphy of Nemo Rangers will be in charge of the whistle on Sunday night.
All Club Members who are available are asked to be at the pitch around 6 o clock to help with stewarding, car parking etc. The club is producing a Programme for the game which will be on sale for €2 on the night.
Club Lotto.
The Club is putting a big effort in over the next few weeks to boost the Lotto Ticket Sales. The Lotto is the main source of Club Funding. In recent years as well as the ordinary running expenses of the Club we have invested heavily in Development Projects. These are all very costly. As a Club we have great support in the Parish and far outside the Parish as well. We are appealing to all our supporters and friends to support the Weekly Lotto. If you are already buying a Ticket regularly a big ‘thank you’. If not please consider doing so from now on. Tickets are just €2 each but every €2 is important.
You can support the Lotto as follows;
1 Purchase a ticket each week from Club Members or in local Business outlets.
2 Buy Tickets online at Locallotto.ie
3 Purchase a yearly ticket, available at a reduced rate of €90
4 Sell a book or a half book of Lotto tickets every week. The club is always anxious to get new Lotto sellers- ‘many hands make light work’, if you are interested in helping the Bride Rovers Club by buying or selling the weekly Lotto Tickets please contact any Club officer or member.
CLUB SHOP.
Well it is Championship time on the Club as well as Cork front and a timely reminder to all players and supporters that we have a huge range of Stock in the Bride Rovers Club Shop. Teams from the Adult, Juvenile and Ladies Clubs are all busy with championship games and it’s great to see the green. white and gold being proudly worn. Jerseys, togs, Socks, Hoodies, Training Shorts, Track Suits, Training Tops, Gear Bags, Polo Shirts, Bottle Green Wind-Sheeters, Green Half Zip Hoodies, Rain Jackets, Beanie Hats and Medal Boards are all available. Be seen to support your club with the club colours and club gear. Ring 086 3807784 or 086 1540902 to purchase all the above items. Thanks to our huge band of loyal followers who support all our parish teams.
Club Website.
The Bride Rovers GAA Club website www.briderovers.ie is proving popular at home and abroad. If you have any ideas for improving the website or suggestions for additions please contact us.
Cork v Offaly.
Cork take on the Faithful County in the Hurling Qualifiers on Saturday night at 7 pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. The Leesiders will go into this contest as raging hot favourites. The favourites tag will rest on the Cork hurlers after their spirited display against Tipperary and Offlaly’s dismal form in the Leinster Championship. It would be foolish however to dismiss the Midlanders chances out of hand. Since Offaly came to hurling prominence in the eighties they have caused some major upsets in big games. Best of luck to Brian Murphy and his Rebel colleagues. The curtain raiser on Saturday is the meeting of Cork and Offaly in the Senior Camogie Championship at five o clock. All those under 16 are free into these games.
Munster Football Final.
Cork met Clare in the Munster Senior Football Final in Limerick on Sunday. We wish Cork all the best. Gerard Lane is the County Board Liason Officer with the Senior footballers and Daniel Lane is part of the backroom team.
30 Years Ago -1981.
Thirty years ago this week our U21 hurlers faced St. Catherines in the Championship at Castlelyons. St. Catherines were ahead by 1 4 to 0 3 at half time. With ten minutes to go the sides were level but the Conna/Ballynoe side finished strongest to win by 1 12 to 2 6. We lined out as follows; Gerard Lane, Seamus Buckley, Liam Cahill, Larry Kearney, Maurice Kearney, Denis Ahern, Michael O Flynn, Cyril Johnson, John A. Murphy, Jim Murphy, Tom Mulcahy, Paudie Collins, James Maye, Pat Mannix, Noel Murphy, Subs Francie Hogan & Seamus Cotter.
Car Boot Sale.
The next car Boot Sale for the Rathcormac parish Development Fund is on Sunday July 22nd.
Club Executive Meeting.
The next meeting of the Club Executive is on Monday next July the 9th at 9 o cock in Arus de Barra.
The Bride Rovers GAA Club main sponsor is The Rathcormac Inn/Conversation Piece.
