On next Saturday November 29th our Minor Hurling Team contest the 12-a-side County Championship Final. It’s 75 years since Bride Rovers last appeared in a Co. Minor Final – that was in 1933 when we lost to Glen Rovers. We have problems with numbers in the minor grade in recent years and that’s why we have been taking part in the 12-a-side championship. At the start of this season our prospects in this grade didn’t look great.
We suffered heavy League defeats at the hands of Kiltha Óg and Midleton ‘B’. Our championship semi final opponents were the same Midleton ‘B’. We went into this game in Lisgoold as rank outsiders but after a great hours hurling we emerged as winners by a point. This victory put us in the final against Lisgoold. Here again we were the underdogs in the decider in Watergrasshill in early September. On the night however, the lads got a terrific start. We led Lisgoold by 14 points at one stage. In the second half we were pegged back but still went on to win the title.
We had a long wait until late October for the county semi final. In this game we faced an amalgamation side from Muskerry Division – Western Gaels. The game was played under lights in Cloughduv. The Mid Cork side started the better and looked likely winners early on. By degrees our lads got on top and won in the end by 7 points. This victory meant we were through to the county final. Our opponents next Saturday are a team named St Fachtnas, this is again a ‘combination’ side comprised of Roscarberry plus a number of players from the Kilmacabea club. They are unbeaten in League and Championship games and will obviously be very strong opposition.
Team trainer Denis Ahern with the assistance of Joe Delaney has our team prepared well. Captain Daniel Dooley and Stephen Boyce have been very busy of late with our club teams and also St Colmans’ Harty and O’Callaghan Cup sides. The task facing our minors on Saturday is a huge one. Go for it lads and the best of luck from all in the parish.
The final is fixed for Pairc Uí Rinn at 3 o’clock on Saturday.
