Churchill GAA Club News

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Senior: Churchill 4-15; Austin Stacks 1-14. Churchill maintained their unbeaten start to the Co League with a 10 point victory over Austin Stacks in Churchill on Sunday afternoon.

Churchill were already 3 points up when Cillian Fitzgerald raced through from midfield and finished to the next with power and precision. Churchill quickly added points from Micheal O’Brien, Ivan Parker (2) and Fitzgerald to lead by 10 points mid way through the first half. Stacks, to their credit, hung in with scores from Theo Diggin, Donal O’Carroll and Fergal Ryan, before JJ Prior found the net for the hosts to restore Churchill’s lead.

Again Stacks rallied and got a foothold in midfield with the evergreen William Kirby and Micheal O’Gara demonstrating some excellent fielding and delivery to the forwards. Another Diggin point was followed by an inspirational point from full back Donagh McMahon from distance.

Churchill’s keeper Eoghan O’Brien was called into action with two great saves, but was finally beaten by Theo Diggin who finished off a well worked team move.  O’Carroll kicked the final score of the half for Austin Stacks and the teams retired for the break with Churchill leading 2-11 to 1-08.

Churchill started the second half with a goal when Cathal Rogers picked the ball up out on the wing and danced past three tackles before cooly slotting the ball past the keeper for the score of the match. Paul Lenihan, starting at center back, was having a storming game that belied his tender years, as was Sean Hamilton in the corner.

Pa McCarthy added a point for Churchill before Theo Diggin knocked over a 45m free for Stacks. This, however, was only a temporary reprieve as Churchill scored three more points in a row from Ciaran Crowley, JJ Prior and Liam O’Donnell.

Again Stacks rallied with Dale Counihan and O’Gara leading the attack and scored three points of their own through Fergal Ryan and Donal O’Carroll (2).

However, with bodies tiring and Stacks committed to attack, Churchill countered and Ivan Parker ran through on goal and, as the keeper rushed out to block his run, he passed the ball to Prior who palmed to the net for his second goal.

Seamus Bastible had the last say for Austin Stacks with a point, but it was victory for Churchill who continued their fine start to the season. Next up for Churchill is an away match against the only other unbeaten team, Scartaglin, for a top of the table clash.

U14: Churchill played Keel/Listry on Wednesday evening on a fantastic pitch at John Mitchels in the Division 4 County Final.  After a nervous start when we were 3 points to no score down we gathered ourselves and got back to 3 points apiece with Eddie and Donagh Stephenson showing great leadership and Billy Walsh playing his part in the half back line.

We conceded a soft goal before half time and trailed by 4 points at half time 1-7 to 0-6. Our much bigger opponents started the second half strongly and we struggled to get the ball into our previously effective forward line.

We fell behind during this period and with 10 minutes to go we trailed by 3-14 to 0-8. It would have been easy for the boys to drop their heads but they did the club proud by playing right to the finish even when the result was not in doubt and scored 1-2 in the last 10 minutes for a final score of 3-15 to 1-10.

Keel/Listry were deserving winners but with 10 players on our starting 15 under age again next year it was a great achievement to reach the final. The players will learn from this experience and should improve even further in the upcoming Central League.

The club are very proud of their achievement in reaching the final and the way the players and management have performed especially in ensuring all players have contributed to our run throughout the competition.

Academy: There was huge excitement at the Academy training on Sunday morning when members of the victorious Minor football team came along to help out with the training and pose for photos with the trophy.

Jack Dolan spoke to the youngsters about the need to keep practicing, developing the skills and listen to your coaches and parents.

Once again there was a huge turnout and great energy around the pitches. Churchill will host an Under 8 blitz this Wednesday 30th May in the Spa and Academy training will continue as usual next Sunday at 11am. Don’t forget gumshield, water and €2 and drop back any outstanding registration forms.

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