All-Ireland Scór Sinsir

Pride of the parish this week goes to our quiz team of Micheál Gaynor, John Flaherty, Paul Culloty and Alex O’Donnell, who won the All-Ireland final of Scor Sinsir in the Citywest Hotel in Dublin last Saturday morning.

They fell behind Cavan and Offaly early on and were four points behind after the first few rounds. Cavan fell away and then it was between ourselves and Offaly and after six rounds both teams were level.

However, the last two rounds proved crucial as our lads got full marks to seal the win. This is the first time ever that a club has retained the All Ireland Scór quiz which started in 1970. The club are very grateful to our brilliant coach John Joe O’Donnell who trained the team to this historic victory.

John Joe was a member of the team that came second in 1971. We would like to dedicate this victory to the memory of our late Scór officer Tommy Brosnan. Roll on next year when we hopefully will be going for 3 in a row!

Churchill vs Cromane Co. League 25/4/15

Churchill bounced back from their disappointing exit from the Junior Championship last weekend with a thoroughly convincing win over a disappointing Cromane side.

This game was effectively over at half time as the home team hit the net four times in the first half. Ger McCarthy was Cromane’s tormenter-in-chief as he continued where he left off last week, adding another three goals to the brace he bagged against Na Gaeil. It was McCarthy who got the scoreboard ticking over in the 1st minute with a well-struck ‘45’.

Micheal Shaughnessy replied with a free for Cromane. Ivan Parker scored two good points from play for Churchill, but these were cancelled out by a point from Finbarr Casey and another one from corner back Liam Teahan for Cromane. The sides were level at this stage, but that was as close as it got for Cromane.

From the 11th to the 28th minute, Churchill scored 4-4 without reply. McCarthy got his first goal, soccer style on 11 minutes, after a great ball from Cillian Fitzgerald. McCarthy repeated the dose in the 16th minute, again finishing to the net after another good pass from Fitzgerald. The goals were sandwiched by a point by Fitzgerald and a free from McCarthy.

Brian Hill added another point in the 24th minute and then Churchill struck for two more goals, one from Ciaran Crowley (after a great flick from Fitzgerald) and a second by JJ Prior. All Cromane had in reply was a pointed free from Shaughnessy before half-time.

Half Time: Churchill 4-7 Cromane 0-4

The second half went much the same way as the first half, with Churchill dominating possession, helped in no small part by a great display at midfield by Mikey Brennan and Ciaran Crowley, who were up against Donnachadh Walsh and his brother Sean. McCarthy added two more points for Churchill, before Conor Daly kicked the first of his two points from play.

Fitzgerald added another point before McCarthy got his hat-trick, as he finished an excellent Churchill move to the net. Sean Walsh had a point for Cromane when it looked like a goal was on.

At this stage, all that was in question was the final score. Both teams brought on a number of substitutes. One of Churchill’s, Chris Hurley was to get the home side’s last point. Cromane added three more points to their total, from Donnachadh Walsh, Shaughnessy and Flaherty.

The last few minutes of the game were notable for the high class saves made by the respective goalkeepers (both Paul O’Sullivans). Churchill can take great satisfaction in a very clinical performance as they secured two valuable County League points.

Full Time: Churchill 5-14 Cromane 0-8

Churchill: Paul O’Sullivan, P.J. O’Mahony (Shane Crowley 46 mins), Peadar Stack, Mitchell Holland (Des McCarthy 57 mins), JJ Prior (1-0), Matt Finnerty (Shane Kenny 49 mins), Cathal Rogers, Ciaran Crowley (1-0), Mikey Brennan, Ivan Parker (0-2) (Tommy McCarthy 53 mins), Keith Rolls (Chris Hurley 0-1, 43 mins), Brian Hill (0-1), Cillian Fitzgerald (0-4), Ger McCarthy (3-4, 2 frees, 1 ‘45’), Conor Daly (0-2)

Cromane: Paul O’Sullivan, Liam Teahan (0-1), Eoghan Walsh (D. Flaherty 22mins, 0-1), Eamon O’Connor (Daniel Ahern 42 mins), Sean Teahan, Brendan Foley, Mikey Houlihan, Donnachadh Walsh (0-1), Sean Walsh (0-1), Sean O’Sullivan, Finbarr Casey (0-1), Darren Houlihan (M. Sweeney, 40 mins), Danny O’Shea, Micheal Shaughnessy (0-3, 3 frees), Emmet Casey (Enda Shaughnessy, 50mins)

Juveniles

Well done to the U-10s who competed in their first blitz of the year in Blennerville last Sunday morning. Churchill fielded 2 teams and played Ardfert (As and Bs), St. Pats and Ballyheigue. They acquitted themselves excellently, with one team winning all their games and the other team winning 2 out of their 3 games, only going down narrowly to a strong Ardfert side in the final game. The skills on display were of a very high standard and it bodes well for the rest of the season. Keep up the good work!