Senior:
Churchill 1-17
Skellig Rangers 3-11
A last minute free from Churchill’s Micheal O’Brien gave Churchill the least they deserved in this highly entertaining Round 2 game from the Junior Premier Championship. The inclement weather of the afternoon cleared up for an hour plus of football and both teams went toe to toe in an enthralling encounter.
Both teams settled well into the contest and Skellig led by 3 points to 2, before Churchill’s Ivan Parker scored a superb individual goal, racing past three defenders and finished past the helpless keeper. Churchill just about edged the remainder of the half with Parker and Matt Finnerty leading the way, but Skellig, particularly through Ciaran Keating, Darragh O’Sullivan and John Murphy ensured that the visitors kept in touch. At half time Churchill held a deserved 5 point lead 1-09 to 0-07.
Skellig burst out of the traps at the start of the second half and 1-02 from the impressive Ciaran Keating to a solitary Churchill free, reduced the deficit to a single point. Churchill’s Micheal Brennan, Cathal Rogers and Chris Hurley were carrying the game to Skellig but were finding scores hard to come by.
In fact all Churchill’s 8 points in the second half came from frees from Micheal Mixer O’Brien.
Churchill opened up a three point lead, but Skellig substitute Martin O’Sullivan fisted the ball to the net from a Keating pass into the area to tie the game. Again Churchill rallied and opened a two point lead approaching full time.
Skellig probed through Ronan O’Shea, Diarmaid Keating and Brendan Murphy and when Ciaran Keating received the ball 20m out, he finished to the net from a difficult angle to give the visitors a 1 point advantage as the clock passed 60 minutes.
Then in high drama, Churchill were awarded a free from 40m out, and with the last kick of the game O’Brien cooly slotted over his 10th point of the game to end the contest with spoils shared.
Both teams will have felt they could have won it, but on reflection both will be happy to go into the last round of games level on three points at the top of the group. Best for Churchill were Matt Finnerty, Ivan Parker, Cathal Rogers and Micheal Mixer O’Brien. Final score from Churchill, Churchill 1-17 ; Skellig Rangers 3-11.
Academy: Our Academy training for boys and girls from under 6 to under 10 resumed last Sunday in the Spa. There was a huge turnout with almost 80 players in attendance. It was also great to see so many parents in attendance to watch the youngsters. Training again next Sunday in the Spa from 11am. Please bring water, gum shield and €2. The under 6’s may be training indoors again, depending on the weather, so they should bring runners as well.
U12 Div 2A: Churchill 2-10 Glenflesk 2-09. Our ‘A’ team got off to a flyer on Sunday evening with a hard earned 1 point win over Glenflesk. Glenflesk were quick to settle and raced into a half time lead of 1-06 to 2-06.
Jack O’Dwyer made his first start for the A’s and was outstanding. His kickouts were accurate throughout and he also made some timely saves. The winning of the game was our never say die attitude, great discipline and the switching of Art O’Sullivan to full back.
Rory Boyd, Daithi Murphy and Jayden Deady played as well in backs as they did in the forwards. Aaron Harty and Conor O’Sullivan showed well in full forward. Well done to Ryan Hickey, Tom Quilter, Mark Gazi, Hugh and Maurice Lenihan, who dominated the middle third throughout the game and once Art settled the ship in full back, the boys took over and dominated before Rory Boyd buried the decisive goal 10 minutes from the end. Well done boys on a proud display. Next up Kenmare away next Sunday.
U12 Division 2B: Churchill 5-9 Glenflesk 5-10. Our ‘B’ team put in a great team performance last Sunday evening in Churchill and came up just short in a very sporting game between two evenly matched sides.
Despite some early dominance by Glenflesk, who got an early goal, our boys soon settled and Churchill put some quick scores on the board. With our midfielders of Josh and Cian, who ended the first half with a hat-trick of goals, driving forward at every opportunity, ably supported by our forward line of Alex, Jack, Kealon and Noah, we started to cause Glenflesk lots of trouble.
At the other end good kickouts from Tom, and with Charlie, Donnacha and Sean Micheal sweeping up in defence and combining well with Sean who got forward at every opportunity, and who pitched in with a goal, we ended the half leading 4-3 to 3-4. The second half saw Glenflesk throw everything at Churchill.
Glenflesk got the first few scores of the half and then pulled ahead with a fortuitous goal. However, with help from our subs Dara, Tom, Michael and Conor, who scored a great goal, and with Noah now outstanding in goals, Churchill levelled it again. Glenflesk added two more points as our lads tired but with time almost up, Churchill got another point.
However, the final whistle came just in time for Glenflesk. What was especially impressive was the fact that the team worked for each other to the very end and never gave up. Well done to everyone on a great display.
U14 boys: On Wednesday evening in Churchill we took on a capable Keel outfit in our second County League game. With the help of a strong wind we got off to a fantastic start playing some free flowing football and building up a lead of 3-5 to 2-0 going in at the half time break.
David Feeley (2) and Eddie McCarthy were our goal scorers in this period. However we knew from previous games against Keel that there was a lot of work left to do. With the wind howling Keel scored 2-6 without reply to lead 3-6 to 4-8 at the midpoint of the second half but the boys showed great character to get back in the game. We managed to get more ball into our forwards and with two minutes left a goal from Ronan Kelly brought us to within 2 points 4-10 to 5-9.
We won the resultant kick out and pushed hard for the goal that would have garnered a win but it wasn’t to be. The lads are improving each week with senior player Ivan Parker bringing great variety to our training sessions.
While everyone played their part, Ben at full back, Eddie in midfield and Donagh at half forward put in massive performances and showed tremendous leadership. Our next League game against Beaufort has taken on extra importance as we need to win if we are to challenge for a semi final spot. Next up is the field qualifying blitz in Milltown on Wednesday 9th April.
Churchill Ladies U12: Churchill were away to Austin Stacks B in the North Kerry League last Wednesday evening.
Playing with the aid of the wind in the first half, it took Churchill along time to get going & they struggled at times to take their scores. Consequently, they found themselves in arrears at half time on the score-line of 3-01 to 7points.
Churchill greatly improved in the second half & were unfortunate not to get a draw when a last minute goal effort was adjudged by the referee to have been cleared off the line. However, Churchill showed the potential that is there in the team scoring the same as Stacks in the second half, resulting in a final score; Austin Stacks 5-03 Churchill 2-09.
Lip Sing Battle: There was a great crowd in the Oyster Tavern on Friday night for the launch of the inaugural Churchill Lip Sing Battle.
Choreographer/artistic director Jackie O’Mahoney with the contestants in the upcoming Churchill GAA Lip Sing Battle. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rehearsals have been underway for a number of weeks, and judging by some of the characters at the launch, the main event promises to be extremely entertaining. The money raised from this event will be split between the Juvenile club and the development of the new changing rooms in Churchill.
The main event takes place on Bank Holiday Sunday, 6th May in Ballyroe and tickets priced at €20 are available from the organisers or any member of the executive. Check out our facebook page “Churchill GAA Lip Sing” for more details and news.
