Brian Roche in top form as Bride Rovers win Red FM Division Two hurling league title
Bride Rovers co-captains Conleith Ryan and goalkeeper Cian Hogan, and teammates with the cup after their win over Erin’s Own in the Red FM Cork County Hurling League Division Two final at Lisgoold. Picture: Larry Cummins
Bride Rovers got the better of Erin’s Own in their Red FM Division Two hurling league final clash at Lisgoold on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams lined out with their Cork players as Brian and Eoin Roche started for Bride Rovers and Robbie O’Flynn for Erin’s Own.
Overall there can be no denying that Bride were worthy winners on the day as they were just that bit better than their opponents over the 60 minutes.
The Roches brothers played their part in their side’s win, with Brian outstanding at centre-forward before dropping to midfield late on.
His work rate was superb from start to finish, and had there been a player of the game award, then he would have collected the trophy.
Eoin masterminded their defence and didn’t put a foot wrong as he marked O’Flynn for most of the second half in particular.
Credit to both sides for an entertaining game played in hot conditions, never easy to play at midday in temperatures like this.
Brian Roche opened the scoring for his side, with Louie Roche adding a second as they started the brighter of the sides.
Finn O’Brien pulled a point back for Erin’s Own, before Dave Barry and Paddy O’Flynn scored to put Bride Rovers 0-4 to 0-1 up after eight minutes.
Two minutes later and they found the back of the net when Brian Roche set up Louie Roche to goal.
Conor Lenihan pulled a point back from a free for Erin’s Own, before Bride had their keeper Cian Hogan to thank when he saved well from Maurice O’Carroll.
Hogan scored from another free, before Hogan repeated his feat, again denying O’Carroll a goal.
O’Flynn, Adam Walsh and Barry increased Bride’s lead, with Lenihan replying from a 65.
Two from Brian Roche and one from Louie Roche put Bride 1-11 to 0-5 up as half time approached.
Lenihan got the last score of the half to see Bride leading by 1-11 to 0-6 at the break.
Cormac Barry increased their lead, with Lenihan replying from another free for Erin’s Own.
Cormac McDonnell scored for Erin’s Own, but Bride just upped it a level and rattled off four points in the space of two minutes, with Barry, Ronal O’Connell, Louie Roche and O’Flynn all on target for the winners.
Lenihan and Peter O’Shea responded but any time they threatened to get close Bride replied.
O’Connell and Brian Roche scored as Bride led by 1-18 to 0-10 after 45 minutes.
Walsh and Brian Roche increased their lead, with O’Shea and Tiernan Connell replying for Erin’s Own.
Barry rounded off the scoring for Bride as they ran out deserving winners and now set their sights on the championship, where they take on Newcestown in a few weeks time.
L Roche 1-3, B Roche 0-5, D Barry 0-4, P O’Flynn 0-3, A Walsh (0-1 f), R O’Connell 0-2 each, C Barry, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
C Lenihan 0-8 (0-7 f, 0-1 65), P O’Shea 0-2, F O’Brien, C McDonnell, J Casey, T Connell 0-1 each.
C Hogan; R Prendergast, D Cashman, E Roche; K Kearney, C Hazelwood, Cormac Barry; D Barry, C O’Sullivan; C Ryan, B Roche, P O’Flynn; R O’Connell, A Walsh, L Roche.
C O’Riordan for A Walsh, C Barry for R Prendergast (both 55).
T Dillon; C Dunphy, S Broderick, L Casey; B Óg Murphy, C Dooley, J O’Carroll; C McDonnell, R O’Flynn; P O’Shea, Cathal Lenihan, M O’Riordan; F O’Brien Conor Lenihan, M O’Carroll.
T Connell for M O’Carroll (ht), S Irwin for Cathal Lenihan (39), A O’Sullivan for M O’Riordan (45), D Collins for C McDonnell (49), S Foley for F O’Brien, J Casey for R O’Flynn (both 53).
Canice Walsh, Nemo Rangers.
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