The u12 boys played their 2nd game in the town League last Saturday away to Austin Stacks. This was a one sided affair with Churchill enjoying most of the possession and dominating in all sectors. This was a 2nd tier Austin Stack team so the game wasn’t a contest but to be fair Austin Stacks played some lovely football up front. It finished with Churchill winning and will now play their last match to win the Division 2 town League.
U12 Churchill B team played at home to Ballymac which turned out to be a cracking game. It was tight until the end with both sides showing wonderful fielding and attacking football. Credit must go to both sides here as the football skills were a joy to watch and really encouraging for both clubs going forward. In the end Churchill came out on top in a close contest.
U14 Tralee District League Div 1 Churchill 1-11 Ballymac 2-01. After 2 previous postponements we eventually kicked off our competitive season with a convincing victory away to Ballymac.
Playing against a strong wind we led at halftime on a score line of 1-05 to 0-01. We played supporting and direct football throughout against a defensive unit and considering the elements, this was a very good result.
Cian O’Gara was outstanding at centre back scoring 0-04. Hugh Lenihan at midfield worked tirelessly and contributed 0-03 and his brother Maurice pulling the strings at centre forward took his goal well in the first half.
We attacked at pace with Billy Doyle, Billy Walsh, Ryan Hickey and Barry Hamilton linking up superbly with full forwards Oisin MCGibney and Ronan Kelly. On a freezing cold morning, Art O’Sullivan and Will Belchambers were solid in the full back line. However the man of the match must go to Donagh Murphy at wing back who was inspirational throughout. Next up is Austin Stacks next Monday away in round 2.
Senior: Churchill kicked off their Division 4 campaign away to Cordal in cold and windy conditions on Sunday afternoon. With the teams scoreless in the opening minute, Churchill conceded a penalty, which was superbly saved by Eoghan O’Brien.
Churchill settled quickly following this and scored 5 unanswered points from Micheal O’Brien (3) and two from Ivan Parker, the pick of which was a long distance score from a seemingly impossible angle. Churchill’s defensive unit were coping with everything that Cordal threw at them and the full back line of Mitchel Holland, Peadar Stack and Sean Hamilton looked comfortable throughout the half.
Paul Lenihan was solid at centre back, while PJ Mahoney and Jack Dolan assisted the attack at every opportunity. Pa McCarthy was getting on a lot of ball throughout the half and was intelligent in possession, while Killian Fitzgerald was his usual direct self and drew numerous fouls which we were taking full advantage of. Cordal eventually got off the mark with two scores, but two Churchill frees from Parker and Mixer saw Churchill retire at the break leading by 0-7 to 0-2.
Despite facing into a stiff breeze, Churchill got off to a flying start after the break with three points from Jack Dolan (2) and Fitzgerald to a single Cordal score, putting us 7 points clear. Just when it looked like the game was secure Cordal scored 1-02 in quick succession to put them right back in the game.
Kevin O’Connor, Mikey Brennan and Fitzgerald regained control around the middle of the field and a cool point off the post from our fullback Peadar Stack settled the nerves. Mixer knocked over the score of the game with the outside of the boot for his 5 point and the final score of the game to see us run out winners by 0-12 to 1-05. Next up for Churchill is a home game against Waterville on Sunday 24th March.
Minors: Churchill will look to continue their unbeaten start to the league when the entertain Milltown Castlemaine at 3pm on Saturday 16th March in Churchill.
