Churchill GAA Club News

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Senior: Churchill came out on top in this fiercely competitive Round 1 game played in Churchill on Sunday afternoon.

Kerry’s Brendan O’Sullivan lined out in midfield for Valentia and got the visitors off to the perfect start with a free inside the first minute. Churchill settled and scored 1-01, with the goal coming from Churchill’s midfielder Killian Fitzgerald with a great finish after a super run through the middle of the defence.

The remainder of the first half was a very even affair with both side kicking some fine scores from distance. O’Sullivan and Jim Lynch for Valentia were producing some incredible fielding around the middle of the field, which set the platform for most of their attacks.

Brendan O’Sullivan kicked 4 first half points for Valentia, while for Churchill Michael O’Brien (3 pts), Pa McCarthy (2) and goalscorer Killian Fitzgerald with 2 points were Churchill’s main scorers. At half time the game was still very much in the balance with Churchill leading by 4 points 1-08 to 0-07.

There was no let up in intensity in the second half.  Valentia’s centre back Paul O’Sullivan was starting to influence the game and Valentia picked off some nice scores through O’Sullivan (2), Stephen Shanahan and Andy Quigley.

However, Churchill kept their noses infront with their own scores from Micheal O’Brian, Fitzgerald and Ivan Parker.  With Churchill leading by 3 points Valentia’s Andy Quigley rattled the crossbar with a fine effort that deserved better.

Both sides added two points each, before the impressive Brendan O’Sullivan cut through the centre of the Churchill defence and played a clever pass to substitute Ger O’Shea, who palmed the ball to the net to tie the game at 1-13 apiece.

To their credit, Churchill rallied, with Chris Hurley winning some hard ball and using it effectively, and kicked two great scores from Fitzgerald and a Micheal O’Brien free from a tricky angle.

Andy Quigly and Churchill’s ever impressive Fitzgerald exchanged points and with Valentia pushing hard at the end for the goal needed to get something from the game, Churchill broke down the field and wing back JJ Prior slotted over the last score of the game off the crossbar.

Final score from Churchill, Churchill 1-17; Valentia 1-14. Best for Valentia were Brendan O’Sullivan with 7 points, Andy Quigley with 3 points and Paul O’Sullivan, while for Churchill Killian Fitzgerald with 1-05 from midfield, Chris Hurley, PJ Mahoney, Pa McCarthy (2 points) and Michael O’Brien (6 points) really impressed. Next up for Churchill is the short trip to Tralee to play Kerins O’Rahillys on Sunday week, 25th March.

Minors: Our minors are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday when they host Castleisland Desmonds in Churchill. Throw in is at 4pm.  Both teams are unbeaten so far in the league so this should be a cracking game. All support would be very welcome.

Juveniles: Our underage teams will once again be participating in the St Patricks Day Parade this year. There is a new route this year, starting at the Rose Hotel on the Dan Spring Road and finishing at the newly refurbished town centre.

The parade will commence at 11:45am and we will be gathering at the Rose Hotel at 11:20. Please wear your Churchill colours and be prepared for all types of weather.

It is anticipated that the Juvenile Academy will resume in the Spa pitch on Sunday 8th April. Any players that missed out on the registration evening will be able to register on the day. More details on registration are available on our websitewww.churchillgaa.ie

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