NOVEMBER 2017 WINNERS

BRIDE ROVERS

U16 and Minor Hurlers, County Champions

The Bride Rovers U16 and Minor Hurlers, who won the County Championships, are the November 2017 winners of the Rebel Óg Monthly Awards sponsored by the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cummins Sports (Award Sponsors) with RedFM and The Evening Echo (Media Partners).  They follow  October Winners Bandon,  September Winners, Cork Minor Hurlers, August winners Cork U17 Hurlers, July Winners Ballinora Juvenile GAA Club,  quartet of June Winners, Féile na nGael Champions Sarsfields, Na Piarsaigh, Cuchullains and St. Kevin’s.  January 2017 winners were Kiltha Óg, February Winners St. Colman’s College Fermoy, March winners Stephen O’Rourke and Niall Delany from Mallow, winners of the All-Ireland U17 Handball Championship, April Winners, Carbery Scór and the May 2017 Winners St. Francis College Rochestown, winners of the Simcox Cup.  

The 2017 season has been a tremendous one for the Bride Rovers Juvenile Club of Rathcormac/Bartlemy/Kildinan parish. The Bride Rovers Club was formed in 1928 and during the 1970’s a separate Juvenile club came into existence. For the last three years the Chairman of the Juvenile Club, which caters for hurling and football from under 6 to under18, has been Paddy Hynes. Under his leadership the Club has enjoyed a remarkable ‘Golden Era’ with no fewer than 10 County League and championship Tiles coming to the Banks of the Bride. Assisted by Secretary Lisa Collins and Treasurer Ken O’Riordan Paddy Hynes has led a fantastic group of players, team mentors and trainers.

With some under 14 players on the under 16 team and under 16 players on the Minor team the last few months have been hectic for the Club culminating with the October Bank Holiday weekend when two County Hurling Championship titles were captured. 

The Bride Rovers Under 16 hurlers participated in the North Region this year for the first time. The Championship campaign began in Kildorrery on September the 4th with a 3-20 to 0-6 win over Charleville. A week later at the same venue the team came a half time deficit to record a good semi-final win over Ballyhea on a scoreline of 2 18 to 3 8. Just three nights later at the Kilworth venue Bride Rovers crossed camáns with their neighbours Fermoy. After a great contest Bride Rovers won the Title by 1-12 to 0-11. On Sunday October the 8th they travelled to Mayfield to take on Ibane Gaels in the county Quarter Final. First half goals from Kieran Kearney and Edmond Cashman saw Bride Rovers seven points ahead. Ibane then hit seven points in a row. The teams were level at half time and twice Ibane went ahead in the second half. Unerring accuracy from frees by Cian Hogan saw Bride Rovers through by two point on a final score of 2-14 to 0-18. Six days later at high noon on Saturday October 14th Bride Rovers met Aghabullogue in the semi-final. A goal from Thomas Macek just before the break saw Bride Rovers lead by 1-11 to 2-3 at the short whistle. They added a further nine points to win by 1-20 to 3-6 and qualify for the County Final.

The County Under 16 championship decider was repeat of the North Final against Fermoy. The venue was Killeagh on Saturday October 28th. Since the North Final Bride Rovers had lost Matthew Quinn with a serious hand injury so Fermoy were confident of overturning the Kilworth result. Kieran Kearney scored an early goal for Bride Rovers and it proved to be the crucial score of the game. Having lead by four points after the first six minutes Fermoy then went a point ahead but Rovers levelled per Kieran Kearney before Cian Hogan put them up two, 1-5 to 0-6 at the break. The second half was brilliant hurling. Bride Rovers were under severe pressure holding on to a three point lead but points from Cian and David Barry saw them win by five, 1-10 to 0-8. 

The Minor Hurlers got their campaign off to a winning start on Monday July 31st. After a thriller at Mayfield Bride Rovers defeated Ballygarvan by a single point 3-16 to 2-18.  The next Minor game was the Wednesday after the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final. In Castlelyons Bride Rovers Minors faced St. Catherine’s and after a keen game they were through to the East Final v Cobh. Played in Aghada on Saturday September 16th the East Final was productive of great hurling.   Bride Rovers had plenty chances but Cobh won by a single point, 2-11 to 1-13. All was not lost however because both winners and runners up advanced in the County.  Just a week after losing to Cobh Bride Rovers faced Bandon in Ballincollig. Having lead by three points, 0-8 to 0-5, at the break Brian Roche helped Bride Rovers to a 1- 12 to 0-6 win. A week later it was down to Killeagh for the County Semi Final against Cobh, a repeat of the East Final. On this occasion Bride Rovers made no mistake with goals from Conor Barry and Brian Roche helping them to a 2-16 to 1-7 win.

The County Final was played on Bank Holiday Monday October 30th in Killavullen against Kilshannig. It was brilliant game of hurling. First half goals from Cian Hogan and Brian Roche saw Bride Rovers lead by 2-12 to 0-10 at the short whistle. A Conor Barry free put them nine ahead but back came Kilshannig with two goals. Bride Rovers never panicked and eight points in a row saw them win the County Title by 2-21 to 2-11. Joint team Captains John O’ Sullivan and Jordan Mannix were presented with the Cup by John Purcell.

Special mention must be made of the Roche brothers on their contribution to both club and Cork victories; both had an outstanding season, culminating in winning the U17 All-Ireland title with Cork.