Two weeks and away we go
Well at last we have some positive news on the start of the 2021 playing season. It’s been a long lockdown but there’s no road without a turning so in two weeks things will begin to return to the start of normality.
From April 26th onwards training for all players U18 years of age can recommence. This is great news altogether and hopefully this is the first step on the path back to a training and playing regime for all our club players and teams. Now Covid hasn’t disappeared so the protocols that applied for last year will be in vogue again from April 28th onwards. Mike Carey will getting in contact with all team managements before the 26th. Health questionnaires and attendance sheets will have to be completed at each training session for tracing purposes. It’s great news for all our younger players so be careful and enjoy the training. The dressing rooms will still be ‘out of bounds’ for the foreseeable future but at last now the prospects for 2021 are getting brighter by the day.
THE SPLIT SEASON – WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The recent GAA Congress more or less adopted the idea that from 2022 onwards a ‘Split Season’ will operate within the GAA. This basically means that there will be separate and distinct periods of playing activity for inter county competitions and for clubs. The now disbanded CPA, Club Players Association, have hailed this as a great victory for the grassroots players, the 98% of hurlers and footballers who never play with their counties and who play club hurling and football only. Personally I think in the long term it will be a disaster for the GAA but this is just my personal position and not the stance of our club, division or county. Let us look at the pros and cons, the plusses and minuses - in other words, both sides of the argument.
The model put forward by the GAA is that from 2022 onwards all intercounty competitions would take place from February until the middle/end of July each year. The senior All-Ireland finals in both codes would be played in July. When the inter county season at League, senior, minor, U20 and junior/ intermediate (if they’ll be played) is completed then and only then will the club championships commence within counties. Those in favour of the split season claim this will give great certainty to ordinary club players in making plans for holidays, weddings and other social events. We all know in the past that the fixture list in counties was always being chopped and changed. Here in our own county it was a case of ‘if Cork win on Sunday we won’t be playing for a month but if Cork are beaten we could be playing the following week’ and we all know what chaos scenarios like that caused. With the split season clubs could play league games in hurling and football during the April to July period, maybe even complete the leagues in that time frame and then be ready for championship games from August onwards.
The proponents of the split season say the new model will give the intercounty managers 100% access to players on the county panel for six months and after that the club will have them for all their club championship games. So certainty for club players seems to be the big selling point in favour of the split season. Next week I’ll look at the other side of the coin.
GREAT ROVERS COMEBACKS
People speak of luck in relation to games – “Ye were lucky to win it” or “Ye had no luck at all” and “A good team makes its own luck”. I suppose there’s an element of truth in all those sayings but a team also needs heart and bravery when the chips are down. Back in 1981 we got a late, late goal below in Lisgoold when playing Ballinacurra in the first round of the B grade football championship and we went on to win the title, beating Youghal in the final. In 2019 we were playing Ballinacurra again, this time in the East Cork final in Dungourney. Sometimes a team can win a game against all the odds, literally by putting life and limb on the line in a supreme effort. Well Friday, September 6 2019 is one date that will go down in the annals of the Bride Rovers Club as such an occasion.
That final against Ballinacurra will long live in the memory of those who were at the game in Dungourney. Picture the scene, just over ten minutes to go and the game going towards an inevitable-looking Ballinacurra win. We were down to 14 players and worse still trailing by a margin of four points. But as our club song says ‘When hot grew that fight those hearts grew more eager’, well if ever a team showed courage and spirit it was in that game. There was just a handy crowd at the game and with ten minutes left a few were beginning to leave. But point by point we tore back into the game. We levelled the game with six minutes to go but then Ballinacurra took the lead again as excitement mounted. Our lads came forward in waves and a point from Conor Barry to put us level again and was followed by three more brilliant scores in succession from William Finnegan, a beauty from Tom Murray and another from Conor saw us snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It was some ending to a great game and what a great way to win a championship.
We had started the game in a blistering manner. Two points from William Finnegan and one from Conleith Ryan saw us ahead by 3 points to 1 after five minutes. Then a move initiated in our defence by team captain Liam Forde was worked up the field and when Conleith rounded his man we were 1 3 to 0 1 up. We had two more great chances but these resulted in wides. Then an amazing change came. Ballinacurra started winning more possession and kicked some great long range points. They raised seven white flags in twenty minutes as we went out of the game and the Village were ahead 0-7 to 1-3. It was the 28th minute before we scored again, a point from Shane Walsh. Ballinacurra went a point up before Paddy O’Flynn kicked a great score to make it Bride Rovers 1-5 to Ballinacurra’s 0-8 at half time. It was strange half where we went from being in total control to just hanging in there.
We had the aid of a slight cross-field breeze in the second half. We were down to fourteen men and so faced the second half playing up to the road with some trepidation but also with plenty ambition and spirit. Shane O’Connor gave us the lead with a smashing point but it was soon level again. William Finnegan using all his American-learned skills put us ahead but by the tenth minute it
was Bride Rovers 1-7 Ballinacurra 0-11. Then came a turning point when we conceded a goal and suddenly we were four points down.
The lads never panicked and with the backs tightening up we didn’t leave the opposition pull away. Conor Barry pointed a free as did Ballinacurra. The introduction of Eoin and Brian Roche and Griffin O’Keeney gave us fresh legs as Ballinacurra tired. Eoin with a well worked score made the gap just three but this was out to four at the three quarters stage. Cian Hogan landed a huge free followed by two similar scores from the boot of Conor Barry which brought the margin down to a single point. Brian Roche levelled the game as the tension mounted. Into the last five minutes and it was anyone’s game. We came forward again and again. Ballinacurra took the lead once more before we took over.
With unerring accuracy Conor put us ahead. Urged on by our supporters the lads responded. William lofted over a mighty point then wingback Tom Murray kicked a super score before Conor gave us a three point lead. It was just an unbelievable comeback but as the game went into the third minute of injury time Ballinacurra mounted one last attack seeking a goal. They didn’t get it and soon the final whistle went. We were the winners at the end of a great game of football. Well done to a brilliant bunch of players. Great credit to Vincent Cronin, Batt O’Connell and Anthony Cahill for their great work with that team who staged a mighty comeback.
Our team and scorers were: Frank Hogan, Tadhg O’Sullivan, Liam Forde, Jason Pratt, Daniel Dooley, Shane O’Connor (0-01), Thomas Murray, Patrick O’Flynn (0-01), Shane Walsh (0-01), Cian Hogan (0-01), DJ Cahill, Conor Barry (0-06), Jordan Mannix, William Finnegan (0-04), Conleith Ryan (1-01), Ben Hogan, Dylan Browne, Damien Buckley, Kieran Kearney, Jack Connor, Griffin O’Keeney Sullivan, John O’Sullivan, Ruairi O’Sullivan, Stephen Pratt, Brian Roche (0-01) and Eoin Roche (0-01).
UNFINISHED 2020 BUSINESS
No decision has yet been made by the East Cork Board as regards the 2020 competitions. The Board needs a four week ‘window’ to finish off last year’s competitions including the U21 FC - we are in the semi-final v Erin’s Own.
Similarly with the All-Ireland U20 hurling final where Cork are awaiting the Leinster winners, there is no update. At present the U20 grade is not regarded as ‘elite’. We beat Cobh last spring to qualify for the semi-final. That game was in Cobh and we won by 2-7 to 0-9.
Team v Cobh was Ben Hogan, Oisín Roche, Patrick O’Flynn, John O’Sullivan, Matthew Quinn, Eoin Roche, Tom Murray (C), Conleith Ryan, Cian Hogan, Conor Barry, Kieran Kearney, Jordan Mannix, Shane O’Flynn, Brian Roche, Seamus Ahern, John Buckley, Tomas Macak and Edmund Cashman.
WEEKLY LOTTO
The jackpot for Tuesday, March 30 was €20,000 and the numbers drawn were 4, 11, 22 and 25 and there was no winner on the night. The winners of the lucky dip prizes of €30 each were John McCarthy Castlelyons, Mary Mannix, Will Daly Castlelyons, Isobelle Walsh Castlelyons, and Chris Sheedy Castlelyons. You can join the Bride Rovers weekly lotto online at or purchase tickets from any of the retail outlets locally that are open. Tickets can also be got locally from Bride Rovers GAA club members throughout the parish. Your support of the weekly lotto draw is deeply appreciated. If you’re not in you can’t win and each €2 is a help for our club. The jackpot for last Tuesday night, April 6 was €20,000.
PLAYER PROFILE - TERRY BRODERICK
Age: 46. Occupation. Regional Sales Manager for Irish Cement.
Your version of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ was a huge hit, have you other similar party pieces? I have been known to sing a few tunes on a night out.
You still train hard and do a lot of road running, what’s the secret of your ‘eTerrynal’ youth? I just like to keep fit, and I find it great for the mind. I have done many adventure races which include cycling, mountain running and kayaking. My most difficult race was in August 2019 where myself and Georgie Johnson completed a 257km race in 19hours. I have recently taken up triathlons so the variety is very interesting.
You have played junior C, junior B, junior A, intermediate and senior hurling, do you still enjoy the game? I have always enjoyed playing for the club at all levels. It’s difficult to resist the draw of a newly cut pitch and a sunny summer’s evening not to partake in a game of football or hurling. I am still in the pitch 24/7 and involved with training Alanna’s and Ruby’s teams and junior camogie ladies.
The last 12 months, what’s it been like with so little sport? It has been difficult on many levels but for me the lack of activity for the underage is very frustrating. I really hope players will not find alternatives to the GAA or any sport for that matter. There are many distractions out there but for me sport and team-mates were key to stability.
They say that good hurlers make great golfers, have you taken up golf? I do dabble a bit in golf, I’m not as committed as I should be but I do enjoy a few rounds throughout the year.
Can you recall your first game with Bride Rovers at underage? It was in the field behind the Truckers Inn, and we togged out in an old bus. I don’t know who we played but we did have those horrible striped jerseys that the underage teams wore back then.
You captained a county league winning minor team, what are your memories of that campaign? I remember waking up that morning sick with the flu, and very disappointed that it would affect my performance. Dosed up on paracetamol and snow on the ground we headed to Ballygiblin with high hopes. We had a very good run so far so we were confident we could get the win. That was a great team with some exceptional players right throughout the team. We had great night afterwards in The Rathcormac Inn and then onto Caesars.
What was your favourite playing position, in hurling/in football? Centre forward in football as I felt you could be very involved in a lot of play. Midfield in hurling, there was great freedom.
What game do you recall as being the best ever team performance from the Rovers? For me it was the first half against Midleton in the quarter final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2007. Our first half display that day would have won any match against any team at the time. However we fell apart in the second half and nearly gave up a 12 point lead. We did win by two in the end.
Are you a good cook? Your favourite meal? Yes I can cook, I like making different dishes, but my girls would say my presentation of said dishes wouldn’t be great. Anything in the form of a stir-fry with a side of chips would be my favourite.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in club hurling over the last twenty five years? Players have gotten bigger, at the cost of speed and hurling I think. There is a happy medium that all can exist together.
Is there too much emphasis on fitness nowadays and too little on skills? In underage the key focus should be on skills, and not games. When you have a group of girls or boys the more time they touch the ball the better. In match situations the stronger players will always shine, to the detriment of the weaker ones. All players develop at different stages and the weaker ones will grow to be stronger players with some time and effort.
Your favourite holiday destination? We went to South Africa with Pat and Eileen in 2003 and it was one of the best holidays.
The best book you’ve read? I would read autobiographies and my favourite to date is Paul O’Connell’s. Everest is also a good read. I like the insight into how people tick.
Who was the hardest player you played against? Barry Murphy every Tuesday and Thursday night.
Do you recall any embarrassing or even very funny incident in any game? Telling the lads you can’t get hit in 7-a-side hurling. I lived to regret that statement with a busted nose.
With the split season there will be no club championship games in May or June or July - what’s your opinion on that? It’s a pity how the club and county have been pitted against each other, and while our county teams have given us many great days, the club and the club players are the most important. It is very frustrating not knowing when your next game will take place depending on the county team. A fixed period of 3-4 months for club games is best for the club player even if it will be later in the year.
Can you explain the spirit and craic and fun you’ve had with Bride Rovers teams? I thought we trained and played hard but we also knew when to enjoy ourselves. When we went out we went en-masse and that brought us closer and friends and a team.
Any rule changes you’d like in hurling or football? Two points for a sideline and four points for a goal.
Who is the best hurler/footballer you have seen playing? I loved Tony O’Sullivan in the 80s/90s and today it would have to be Joe Canning.
If lockdown went on for another year what three Rovers players would you pick for; a) giving vaccine injections? Georgie Johnson b) Cleaning the house? I wouldn’t let any of them I would do it myself. c) Running the country? Welshie (Pat) (he’s never short of an opinion).
Is hurling in Cork too ‘soft’? It probably is, I think the referees are too quick to blow the whistle. More use of the advantage rule is encouraging.
If you could pick a 7-a-side intercounty hurling team who’d be on it? Nash, JJ Delaney, B Corcoran, John Fenton, Tony O’Sullivan, Joe Canning, Henry Shefflin.
Something most people don’t know about Terry Broderick? I’m not great at remembering people’s names, and in my job that’s not great.
EXECUTIVE MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT
The club executive meeting will now go ahead, virtually online, on Monday night of next week, April 12 when things may be clearer re start up dates etc. Members will be sent the link for the meeting.
Bride Rovers Club sponsors are Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design, Veolia.