Good AGM online
A decision was made last Wednesday to change from a ‘live’ AGM to online again. With the Covid pandemic still very prevalent and the GAA urging caution, it was felt that it was safer to go online once more. An ‘attendance’ of close on 50 took part in Monday night’s meeting which was a very positive gathering. Being online of course is not conducive to robust debate but despite this drawback the AGM took place in a business-like fashion.
For the second year in a row we were joined by Fr Seanie Barry in Kenya. Outgoing chairman Gerard Lane opened the meeting and welcomed all to our review of 2021 and preview of 2022. Club runai Daniel Lane presented his 36 page annual report after he first read the account of last year’s AGM. Ken O’Riordan proposed the signing of the minutes of last year’s gathering with Rosario Kielty seconding. The secretaries’ report dealt comprehensively with all the club activities during 2021. Reports were included from all the team mangers. Our junior A football team took pride of place winning our third East Cork JAFC title.
FOOTBALL REPORT
The junior A football team have had a successful season winning the East Cork Championship and bringing the Jim Ryan Cup back to Rathcormac and Bartlemy for the third time. The opening rounds of this competition were played on a round robin basis where there were 4 groups with 15 teams taking part. The Rovers were drawn in what was seen as a very challenging group with Midleton, Erin’s Own and Fr O’Neills. Midleton were coming off the back of winning the 2020 junior A football championship and Erin’s Own will always field a strong football team and have traditionally looked to win this championship having won it previously in 2019. The opening game for the Rovers was against Midleton which was played in Páirc Na Bride on the 12th of July. This was as tough as it got and Midleton were to emerge victorious on a score of 4-09 to 1-08. Going into the next game against Erin’s Own, the lads knew that anything less than a victory would have resulted in their interest in the 2021 championship being over.
The game was played in Carrignavar on the 22nd of July and a huge performance from the lads set the tempo for the campaign with a scoreline of 2-08 to 0-10 points. The final group game was against Fr O’Neills who were after two defeats and this was a straightforward victory for the lads on a scoreline of 5-11 to 1-05 however, there was a possibility that we wouldn’t qualify as scoring difference would have put Erin’s Own through had they beaten Midleton.
With Midleton winning the final game, it was Midleton who topped the group with three wins, and we came out as runners up. The quarter final draw pitted us against last season’s beaten finalists - Carrigtwohill who were Group 1 winners, and the game was played in Castlelyons on August 14. This was a tough, physical battle where the lads had to work to the final whistle to see out a win on a scoreline of 3-05 to 0-12 points.
The semi-final was a local derby with Lisgoold providing the opposition. The game was played in a wet and windy Dungourney on Sunday, September 26. This was a game where the lads played some brilliant football and were victorious on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-08. All roads led to Carrignavar for the East Cork final with Cobh providing the opposition.
This was a fantastic occasion, and the lads didn’t fail to deliver in front of the large Rovers’ support, winning on a scoreline of 3-09 to 0-10 points. It was a proud day for the club with Daniel Lane presenting the Jim Ryan Cup to Jason Mannix. The Éamonn Ryan medal was presented to Cian Hogan for his man of the match performance and this was the first year of this award in memory of a football great from the Imokilly Barony.
With the East Cork title safely secured, the Rovers entered the county campaign looking to create a first for the club by progressing in this competition. The opposition was the Beara representatives Urhan. The game was played in Ahiohill on Saturday, November 6 and this was where the season was to come to an end with Urhan winning by the narrowest of margins on a scoreline of 10 points to the Rovers 1-06.
Success doesn’t come without commitment and the players have to be credited for their efforts this year and there is no doubt that further success will come for this young group. A special work of thanks to Devon Roche who came on board as coach and to the backroom team of Anthony Cahill, Batt O’Connell, Maurice Dooley and Vincent Cronin.
With 2021 behind us, there will need to be consideration given to entering a second team in the football championship in 2022 as many players who were involved in the football panel saw very limited championship game time. Daniel Lane’s report covered Cork players from the club in 2021, child safeguarding report, coaching officers report, covid minimisation report, fundraising, referees, sponsorship and public relations. Daniel Lane has served as an outstanding Runai for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and he ‘signed off’ as follows: “I want to pay a particular thank you to our many volunteers who do much of the unseen work in this club, from coaches, lotto sellers and the various committees. The work that goes into running a club is increasing all the time and the demands and pressures on volunteers is never ending. We can be very proud in Bride Rovers of the army of people that we have willing and able to put their shoulder to the wheel and long may it continue. As I depart the role of secretary, I want to sincerely thank the many members of the Club Executive who have supported me during my time in the role. I want to also mention the three Chairmen that I have worked under, Billy Finnegan, Richie O’Regan and now my own father Ger. You were always a great guide to me in the many challenges that we faced, and I want to thank the three of you most sincerely. To Treasurer Liam Barry, who is one of the hardest working people I know. Liam is also stepping down, I want to thank him for the work he has done as Treasurer having taken over at a difficult time following the sudden passing of Dan Quill. To our president Pat O’Connor, PRO John Arnold, Board delegate Brendan O’Driscoll, Officers, lotto sellers, Covid supervisors and our army of supporters both at home and abroad for the tireless work that you do. Your work does not go unnoticed and on my own behalf I want to thank you all. I want to wish my successor all the very best. The role of club secretary is both challenging and rewarding in equal measure. I will be always at the end of the phone to help in whatever way I can to ensure a smooth transition. Finally, I want to wish everybody associated with Bride Rovers a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”
Liam Barry then gave the treasurer’s report. Liam took over the role after the sudden death of Dan Quill in late 2018 and has been a brilliant Cisteoir since. His report was very detailed and showed huge spending on developing the new juvenile pitch as well as many improvements to Páirc na Bride. He spoke of the importance of the Club 100 Scheme and our aim to get its membership to at least 200.
Chairman Gerard Lane then addressed the AGM and welcomed all online, especially Fr Seanie Barry joining us from Kenya. Gerard said 2021 was a difficult year again due to covid but for Bride Rovers it was year of many positives. He highlighted winning the JAFC title, reaching the SAHC semi-final, purchasing 13 acres of land and the massive coaching work at juvenile level. Looking to the future he said we are facing challenging times as we look to develop new playing fields. He stressed that while physical developments of grounds and facilities progress we must never ‘take our eye off the ball’ in regards to team preparation and looking after players.
Fr Seanie then addressed the meeting and said he was delighted to get back home this year. He saw so many great games and mentioned the county minor final v Glen Rovers, the JAFC final v Cobh and the SHC win over Blarney and he really enjoyed the junior C game v Lisgoold. He commended all in the club for the tremendous work being done by so many people. Gerard thanked Fr Seanie for joining us and proposed that he be elected as a vice president of the club and this was unanimously accepted. Next came the Election of Officers. Next week we will go through the full lineout but Mike Carey takes over as runai and Aiden Dorgan as treasurer. After Co Convention motions and other business was dealt with Gerard Lane thanked everyone and wished us all a happy Christmas and a great New Year. (Note; The full Annual Report can be read on the Bride Rovers GAA Club website).
2020 U21 FOOTBALL
Bride Rovers U21 footballers played the East Cork semi-final on Sunday morning last in Carrignavar against Erin’s Own. This was the U21 B competition from 2020 that was never completed due to Covid. The Rovers had 15 players togged out with a number of the squad unavailable and those that took to the field were unlucky to come away on the wrong end of a 4-10 to 2-09 scoreline with Erin’s Own getting two late goals. Ultimately it was fresh legs for Erin’s Own from the bench that was to prove the difference on the day.
The game was played on heavy underground conditions and was a test of stamina for both teams. The Rovers started well with an early goal from Kieran Kearney and some fine point taking from Seanie Knox, Conleith Ryan and Conor Barry had the Rovers in touch throughout the game. The second goal came from Conleith who showed well over the hour on his return to the club. The lads battled to the end and had a couple of goal line chances cleared by Erin’s Own early in the third quarter which inevitably was to prove the difference.
The team and scorers were: Ben Hogan, Oisin Roche, Jordan Mannix, Peter O’Leary, Jacob Powell, Eoin Roche, Tom Murray, Kieran Kearney (1-0), Cian Hogan (0-01), Seamus Ahern, Conleith Ryan (1-02), Tomas Macak, Seanie Knox (0-03), Conor Barry (0-03) and Edmund Cashman.
CORK FOOTBALL FINALS
A fine crowd attended the two Cork senior football finals in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Pa O’Driscoll was in charge of the Mallow v St Michaels senior A final with Mallow winning thanks to a late fisted goal from Sean Hayes - he scored three goals against us in hurling championship. Pa’s team of umpires were Brendan O’Driscoll, Jimmy Ryan, Sham Buckley and Niall Barrett. James Bermingham and Midleton’s Niall O’Neill were the two linesmen with Shane Scanlon from Newcestown the 4th official. In a nail-biting Premier senior final St Finbarrs beat Clonakilty by a single point.
2021 JHL FINAL
Lisgoold made a winning farewell to junior hurling last Saturday in Páirc na Bride. Having already won the 2020 county junior hurling and county lower intermediate championships they met Carrignavar in the 2021 East Cork junior hurling league final. With St Catherine’s Michael Walsh on the whistle Lisgoold won by double scores 2 14 to 1 7. Board Runai Daniel Lane presented the league trophy to Lisgoold captain John Cronin.
U18 HURLING FINAL ON SATURDAY
Our U18 hurling team are in championship action on Saturday next, December 4. We’ve beaten Aghada and Carrigtwohill to reach the final where Kiltha Óg will be the opposition. The game is fixed for Fitzgerald Park, Fermoy at 2 o’clock on Saturday. The Castlemartyr/Dungourney side will be tough opposition. Go for it lads.
HARTY CUP SHOCK
Last week St Colmans crashed out of this year’s Harty Cup competition. Having had an easy win over Blackwater College a few weeks back, Colmans were confident when facing Clare side Tulla CBS in Fermoy. St Colmans were five point up with as many minutes to go but Tulla scored 1-2 from frees to force extra time. Despite a first minute goal early in the first period of ten minutes Colmans never built on this and Tulla took over to send St Colmans out of the competition.
LADIES CLUB CLOTHES COLLECTION
The Bride Rovers Ladies Club have their First Friday Clothes Collection in Rathcormac Hall on this coming Friday night. Used clothes and shoes and handbags are welcome but no pillows or duvets.
CLUB 100 AND ANNUAL LOTTO
We are seeking new members for 2022 for our Club 100 Scheme. There are 3 Club 100 packages - Bronze Membership at €20 per month, Silver which is €30 per month and Gold at €40 per month. Each package includes club membership and a minimum of 1 yearly lotto ticket- that’s the Bronze option. The Gold covers full membership, ticket in the Rebels’ Bounty monthly draw, 2 tickets each week in the club lotto and entry to the Club 100 bonus draw. With huge financial commitments now undertaken for future development we will need a huge income stream annually. Another way of supporting the club is by purchasing a yearly lotto ticket for €90. Please contact club treasurer Aiden Dorgan or any club executive member in regards to these fundraisers. A Club 100 membership or an annual lotto ticket would be an ideal Christmas present.
PIHC FINAL
In Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening Castlelyons met Courcey Rovers from Ballinadee/Ballinspittle for the premier intermediate title and entry into senior hurling for 2022. It was a great game with the South East side coming from eight points down to pip Castlelyons by a single point.
MUNSTER DRAWS FOR 2022
The Munster championship draws for next year have been made. For Keith Ricken the Cork football manager it’s a baptism of fire in reality. It was an open draw and Cork have been paired with old rivals Kerry in the provincial semi-final. The hurling is back to a round robin format for the coming season. Cork’s schedule is v Limerick at home, v Waterford away, v Clare at home and away to Tipperary in Thurles in Round 5.
SYMPATHY
The Bride Rovers Club extends its deepest sympathy to Doreen and Alan Fitzgerald on the death of Doreen’s mam, Maire Breathnach of Ballinahown, Galway.
WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO
The lotto jackpot of €15,600 was not won in the draw on last Tuesday night, November 23. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 10 and 12. The winners of the lucky dips of €30 each were James Ahern, Bartlemy, Teresa Hogan Mondaniel, Philip Hazlewood, Rathcormac, O’Flynn family Sunnyside and Mar and Una c/o Spar. Tickets are just €2 each and can be had from club members, online or in local business outlets. A yearly lotto ticket would make a great present for family and friends in this Christmas season.
FIXTURE
U18 hurling final v Kiltha Óg, in Fermoy on Saturday, December 4 at 2 o’clock.
Bride Rovers GAA Club sponsors are; Rathcormac Tyres, Fermoy Print & Design and Veolia.