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After last weekend’s dramatic postponement, anticipation is once again building ahead of the Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Final between Bride Rovers and Castlelyons, now rescheduled for Saturday, October 25th at 6.30pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The close neighbours, whose rivalry stretches back decades, will finally have the chance to contest for Senior A glory after a frustrating wait for both sides brought on by last week’s weather.
The Cork County Board confirmed the decision to call off last Saturday’s finals double-header after torrential rain and a status orange weather warning made conditions unsafe for players and supporters alike. Both the Senior A and Intermediate A deciders were initially moved forward twice, before the final postponement was announced on Saturday afternoon.
RAPID RESET FOR ROVERS
For Bride Rovers, the delay meant a rapid reset. Selector Barry Hazelwood told The Avondhu that the team took the decision in their stride. “It’s short notice when you are told early on. We didn’t really have time to think about it,” he said. “We’ll just train away and handle it as it comes. We’ll prepare the same as we have before and get right for Saturday.” Hazelwood also praised the understanding shown by fans: “I understand the decision that they had to protect supporters as well, it was a bad night of rain, but we’ll go at it again and hopefully come away with the win.”
EXPLOSIVE CASTLEYONS
Across the parish, Castlelyons, managed by Michael Spillane and Cork U20 boss Noel Furlong, enter the final in strong form after their semi-final upset against Blarney, where their attacking flair saw David Morrison score 3 goals and Alan Fenton score 1-8 to help Castlelyons win by 5 points.
Bride Rovers, meanwhile, had finally booked their place in the final after a semi-final win over Carrigtwohill with winning by 6 points.
LOOKING AHEAD
Eyes will be on both sides’ attacking prowess for the final as Bride Rovers will look to block out the attacking threat that Castlelyons posed in their semi-final clash against Blarney, meanwhile at the other end we will wait to see if the red hot Brian Roche will come up against Cork team mate Niall O’Leary.
FROM DUBAI TO CORK
The postponement may pose challenges for players who had plans following the initial fixture date, most notably Castlelyons’ player Anthony Spillane, who teaches in Dubai and regularly travels home to play the fixtures. Spillane is Head of Moral, Social and Cultural Education at Hartland International School in Dubai and has been central to his club’s rise since their All-Ireland Intermediate final appearance earlier this year.
EXCITEMENT BUILDS DESPITE DELAY
In both parishes, excitement continues to grow despite the delay. Streets in Rathcormac and Castlelyons are draped in colour, cars and houses painted in green, white, and yellow as supporters prepare for what promises to be a fiercely contested decider.
