County Champions!!

Our senior ladies overcame red hot favourites Kinsale in the Senior B County final played in horrendous weather conditions last Saturday night in Bishopstown. If we were to believe the social media build up to this match, Bride Rovers had no reason to turn up as Kinsale were a sure thing. The 2018 champions were tipped to win this game handily but nobody told our girls!!

 We played with the gale force wind and driving rain in the first half and had plenty of possession but found scores difficult to come by early on. We missed four good chances  before Grace Kearney opened our account with a good point. This was followed by a goal from Katie Quirke and we settled a bit. Two magnificent points from Grace Culloty were followed by a stunning goal from Leah Hallihan to put us well in control. Our full back line of Laura Quirke, Aislinn O Connor and Chloe Murphy were well in control for most of the first half and the half back line of Eleanor Aherne, Trish O Sullivan and Aoife O Riordan were doing Trojan work in stopping the KInsale attackers in their tracks. With a few minutes to go, the score-line was Rovers 2-02, Kinsale 0-02 and we looked comfortable. A mix up in front of goal allowed KInsale in for a goal and we went in at the short whistle leading by 2-03 to 1-02. Everyone present were wondering if that was a big enough lead given the strong wind we had in our favour in the first half.

Playing against the wind didn`t seem to stop our momentum and with Mary Hazelwood, Michelle Hartnett and Jennifer Barry controlling midfield from the restart, we had two great goal chances but failed to convert either. The tension on the bank was palpable but each time Kinsale scored, we worked the ball up the field with great patience and composure to reply with scores of our own. The half forward line of Jennifer Barry, Katie Quirke and Niamh Barry we working back to support our midfield and half back line whenever necessary while our full forward line of Grace Kearney, Grace Culloty and Leah Hallihan were running rings around the much vaunted Kinsale full back line. I must in particular mention Leah Hallihan who had a storming game and was surely a candidate for player of the match, along with Sarah Murphy in goal. Sarah made 4 top drawer saves to deny Kinsale almost certain goals and each one of these sapped kinsale`s confidence and energy. Disaster struck mid way through the second half when we had a player  yellow-carded. But the amazing statistic of this game is that we scored two great goals, one from Grace Kearney and one from Jennifer Barry, whilst down to 14 players and playing against a gale force wind. A Fifth goal and a point from Grace Culloty along with a point from Katie Quirke completed our scoring.  Two incredible saves from Sarah in the last 5 minutes meant we ran out victors on a scoreline of 5-05 to 1-12. Cue incredible scenes on the pitch and on the bank.

Our four substitutes, Caoimhe Hazelwood, Elaine Culloty, Emma Roche and Jennifer Cahill fitted in seamlessly and continued the work of the players they replaced to keep us in a strong position throughout. It was great to see the game plan that Conor Buckley and the management team of Pat Culloty, Alan Barry and Oliver O Connor have been working on all year come to fruition on the night. We played to a high intensity for the near 70 minutes played on the night and the work rate, fitness and support play evident on the night were a joy to watch. The girls on the bench who didn`t get to play can feel disappointed but they played a huge part in this win. They pushed the starting girls hard throughout the whole season. Credit must also be given to referee Peter O Leary and his team for their handling of this game in extremely difficult conditions.

We now have a Munster campaign to look forward to and at the time of going to print, it looks like we will be playing Rathmore from County Kerry in the first round on October 19^th, more than likely in Mallow. Please come along to support this magnificent group of players and management,  and join in this incredible journey. Bride Rovers Abu!!!!!!!!!!

U10 GIRLS FOOTBALL

Saturday 28^th saw Bride Rovers host the annual U10 ladies football finals.

With 10 teams competing and over 200 young ladies battling for honours it was set to be a jam packed day of football.

First up was the development final between Fermoy and Inch with Inch dominating the game and winning on a score line of 5 -1 to 1-0.

Next up was the same pairing in the A final. We were expecting a great battle here as we ourselves had lost by one point after extra time a week previously to Fermoy and Inch had not lost a game all season. Fermoy brought the shooting boots and enjoyed a 1 -4 to 1 -0 victory.

Next up was Bride Rovers V’S Na Piarsaigh in the hotly anticipated B final. Both teams had large panels in excess of 30 girls but all looked determined and focused. The game started with a goal for Na Piarsaigh after less than a minute. It was an excellently taken opportunity and Na Piarsaigh really looked up for the battle. Our girls responded with the true guts they have shown all year and bagged two goals and a point in quick succession. Na Piarsaigh fought back and managed another goal and point to level the scores at half time. The second half was a rip roaring affair with much football being played in a titanic battle around the midfield. The Rovers side rallied and banged in another goal with 7 minutes remaining and tagged on another point in the dying moments to claim a sweet victory in front of a boisterous and ecstatic crowd.

Chairman Pat Culloty presented the shield to  Captain Bríd Delaney who made a fantastic speech a girl twice her age would be proud of.

Next up was the C Final between Glanmire and Aghada with Aghada surprising the bookies. After a fantastic battle they managed to hold out for a one point victory 2-2 to 1-4.

It was 4.45 when the D final between Rockban and Erins Own threw in. At this stage the showers had turned to full on driving rain with most of the supporters having to view the game from the comfort of their cars. Of all the games on the day this one was by far and away in keeping with the spirit these 9 and 10 year old girls possess. Not at one stage did I hear a player complain of the conditions or try take shelter. Rockban had a mighty first half scoring 4 goals in quick succession.  Erins Own to their credit and with the smallest panel on the day, fought tooth and nail to the final whistle and scored some of the best points I’ve seen all year.  Rockban eventually ran out victors 6 -1 to 0-6.

Huge thanks must go to Maria O Flaherty, Pat Culloty,players,coaches,parents and referees Katie Kelleher and Tina Cooney who were outstanding on the day.

Big thanks to the ECB for providing medals and trophys for all and allowing us to host such a wonderful event.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

BAG PACK FRIDAY 27TH AND SATURDAY THE 28TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2019
Well done and thanks to all those who helped out at the annual bag pack fundraiser in Dunnes Stores Blackpool on the 27th of and 28th of September, 2019.  It generated some much needed funds for the club.

CLOTHES COLLECTION
Bride Rovers Ladies First Friday collection of old clothes, bags and shoes on Friday the 4th of October, 2019 7.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. at Rathcormac Community Centre (garage to rear).  No duvets or pillows please.

Bride Rovers Ladies Football & Camogie Club sponsored by Spar Rathcormac & Barrys BarFollow us on Facebook & Twitter @RoversGAA