Junior Championship Quarter Final:

Churchill 1-13 Dromid Pearses 0-16 (after extra time)

On a perfect evening for football, Churchill met Dromid Pearses in the quarter final of the Junior Championship. It turned out to be one of the most exciting games witnessed in The Spa for many years. However, after 80 minutes of sometimes exhilarating football, where no quarter was asked or given, it was still not possible to separate the teams and a replay will be required next Sunday in Dromid to see who progresses to the semi-final.

Dromid got off to a flying start with a point from their midfielder, Tomas O Currain, within a minute. This was to be Dromid’s only time in front during normal time. Benny Dillon got Churchill off the mark with a free after 2 minutes and the same player scored the next four points for Churchill, 3 from play. Dromid had 2 points from frees in reply.

In between, Churchill’s keeper, Eoghan O’Brien, made a great save to keep Churchill in front. After 20 minutes, Mikey Brennan, who was excellent throughout, got through for a fisted point, following good work up the wing by JJ Prior. On 25 minutes, Ciaran Crowley kicked a great point from play.  Declan O’Sullivan (who was well marshalled by Matt Finnerty until O’Sullivan went off injured early in the second half) replied for Dromid with a free on 27 minutes.

Chris Hurley then got a great score following good work by Mikey Brennan. Dromid finished the half strongly with a score from play on the stroke of half time from their centre back, Padraig O’Suilleabhain. Half Time: Churchill 0-8 Dromid 0-5.

Whatever was said to Dromid at half time seemed to work, as they kicked the first 3 points of the second half to level the match by the 10th minute. Churchill lost Ivan Parker to injury and he was replaced by Fiachra Griffin. Cillian Fitzgerald put Churchill back in front again following a great catch and finish. Another Benny Dillon point and one from Cillian Fitzgerald further extended the lead with another point following great work in midfield by Ciaran Crowley. Dromid lost Declan O’Sullivan to injury in the 19th minute.

Dromid replied with a point from their full-forward to make it a 2 point game. For the final 10 minutes, the game flowed from end to end with scores at a premium. Churchill defended tigerishly but were unable to kill the game and as the game ticked into injury time, Dromid continued to press for what would be a winning goal. Their wing back Caoimhin O’Se came up from defence and his shot for goal flew over the bar. That left the minimum between the teams and try as Churchill could to retain possession, Dromid turned over the ball and their man of the match Tomas O Currain equalised with the last kick of normal time. Full time: Churchill 0-11 Dromid 0-11.

Declan O’Sullivan returned for Dromid in extra time. Brian Hill came on in the forward line for Churchill. Mikey Brennan and Benny Dillon (from a 45) edged Churchill ahead again but Dromid finished the half stronger with 2 points of their own. Half Time Extra Time: Churchill 0-13 Dromid 0-13

The scene was set for an exciting and tense final ten minutes to see who would emerge victorious. Dromid looked most likely to progress, as they got their noses in front for the first time since the first minute of the match, as they had 2 points from play within 5 minutes.

Churchill were now on the rack, but were thrown a life-line when Brian Hill was brought down for a penalty, following a great run. Cillian Fitzgerald cooly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner to restore Churchill’s lead once more. Dromid now threw everything at Churchill and it looked like Churchill would emerge victorious as Dromid lost possession. However, as Churchill tried to work the ball out of defence, the ball broke to Declan O’Sullivan, and from out near the far touchline, he swung over the equaliser to break the locals’ hearts. Though the watch showed there was still one minute left, the referee blew the final whistle.

Both teams gave a great display of football and are to be commended with the standard of football in what was a sporting match. Though Churchill will ultimately be disappointed that they couldn’t close out the match, they live to fight another day and should take heart from a brilliant display.

Team: Eoghan O’Brien, PJ O’Mahony Eoin McCarthy Mitchell Holland JJ Prior Matt Finnerty Cathal Rogers Ciaran Crowley (0-01) Mikey Brennan (0-02) Chris Hurley (Capt) (0-01) Daniel Doyle Ivan Parker Benny Dillon (0-07, 3 frees, 1 45) Cillian Fitzgerald (1-02) Garrett Walsh

Subs Used: Mark O’Connor; Fiachra Griffin; Shane Crowley; Brian Hill; Mike O’Brien

Bus for replay: A bus will be organised to facilitate those travelling to the replay if there is sufficient interest. Please contact Tracy O’Sullivan if you are interested in travelling on the bus.

The club are very greatfull to everybody for the organising of the game on Saturday evening. The gate people Tracy o Sullivan,Eugie o Sullivan.Jim o Sullivan,Jimmy Wrenn and J.P. Daly.Neol Dolan.Dermot Crowley and Mossie Stack for the parking.The u-10 team and mentors who played an game @ half-time.To Joan Crowley for the sandwiches and Mary and Hellena Wrenn for doing the teas.

A special word must go to Dave Buckley who organised the music and Padraig Walsh to sing the National Anthem.The field was in excellent again due to the trojon word done by groundsman Dave Buckley.So it is now on to Sunday in Dromid @ 1p.m. and best of luck to our brilliant footballers lead by captain Chris Hurley.

Spa/Fenit/Barrow Community Games

 

Last Sunday we had 7 individual swimmers and a girls U13 squad competing in the Kerry finals of the community games swimming, which was held in the Complex, Tralee.

 Well done to all our swimmers who performed really well on the day and best of luck to Paul Cassidy, who will now go on to represent Kerry in the National Finals in Athlone in August in the U14 Butterfly.

Paul represented Kerry last year as well in the same event.  A big congratulations to Kate Sugrue who won the bronze medal in the U8 Freestyle final.   Well done to the following swimmers,  Lisa Cassidy, U10 Backstroke:  Ellie Sugrue & Emma Fitzgerald U12 Freestyle:  Niall Cassidy U12 Freestyle:  Chloe Sugrue & Maggie Sugrue U14 Freestyle and our U13 squad of  Chloe & Ellie Sugrue and Sarah & Emma Fitzgerald.