Senior: Churchill 2-16; Waterville 1-11.
Churchill came out on top in this lively Division 4 game played in breezy conditions in Churchill on Sunday afternoon. Both teams settled well and were level at 2 points apiece after only 8 minutes with Cillian Fitzgerald and Michael O’Brien on target for the hosts to 2 fine Barry O’Dwyer scores for Waterville.
Churchill then began to dominate around the middle of the field and registered 4 unanswered scores from Fitzgerald, Ger McCarthy, O’Brien and an Eoghan O’Brien 45’. Jack Dolan was having another storming performance in the half back line and Mitchel Holland was expertly marshalling the full back line.
Waterville’s Jamie O’Sullivan temporarily halted the charge with a point following good build up play from Oran and Cillian Clifford. However, Eoghan O’Brien added another long range free and another Fitzgerald point were quickly followed by a goal from Churchill’s Ivan Parker to put the hosts ahead by 8 points.
Waterville’s response was swift and they scored a goal of their own through Sam O’Dwyer and points from Jamie O’Sullivan and Oran Clifford. JJ Prior responded with a point for Churchill, before both teams exchanged pointed frees before the break to leave Churchill ahead at half time by 1-10 to 1-06.
Cillian Fitzgerald opened the scoring in the second half with the outside of the boot. Three unanswered points for Waterville put 2 points between the teams before Waterville were reduced to 14 men when Alan O’Dwyer was sent to the line for a second yellow card offence.
Churchill quickly set about making the most of their numerical advantage scoring 1-02 in succession, the goal coming from Liam O’Donnell who impressed throughout the game.
Barry O’Dwyer scored a free for the visitors and then had the opportunity to reduce the deficit further from the penalty spot, however, Churchill’s Eoghan O’Brien got down smartly to his right to pull off a fantastic save. O’Dwyer did register another free, but Waterville were then reduced to 13 men when Eoin O’Sullivan received his marching orders and with that went Waterville’s hopes of victory.
The hosts picked off three further points from Gary Rolls, Sean Donnellan and Liam O’Donnell before the final whistle to run out victors by 2-16; 1-11. Best for Churchill were Goalkeeper Eoghan O’Brien, who kicked three long range frees and saved a penalty, Mithchel Holland, Jack Dolan and Man of the Match Cillian Fitzgerald.
We are now heading into a month of Championship football and we kick off our campaign against Listowel Emmets next Saturday in Ballybunion. Throw-in is at 4:30pm.
Academy: Our Academy football training for U6 and U8 boys and girls and for U10 boys will return this Sunday at 11am in the Spa field. Any players that weren’t registered at our registration evening last month can be registered on Sunday morning. All players to bring water, gumshield, €2 and boots and runners.
U12: In our final game in the Town League our U12’s played against Keirns O’Rahillys in Churchill on Saturday in what was a very even contest. It was the opposition that started the brightest and really troubled our defence early on. It took 10 minutes for our side to get with the pace of the game and we started to play some really good football with fast and accurate passing. Kerins O’Rahillys never gave up and were always within a point of us to the very end. In the last 5 minutes we pushed on and won the match by 3 points. This gave Churchill 3 wins out of 3 and leaves us winning Division 2 of the town League, well done
U11: Our U11’s played away to John Mitchell’s in the third round of the Town League this weekend. Short a few players from earlier rounds, all our players stepped up and showed tremendous effort and desire. Everyone on the panel gave 100% and we played very high tempo football. This team is very good at picking out our forwards with fast ball and the forwards are having huge success in front of the posts. This game was a very even contest which we won by a small margin in the end. This is 3 wins out of 3 for this team and is a great start to the new season.
U12 Girls: Well done to our U12 girls who beat Corca Dhuibhne 4-3 to 2-4 on Sunday. Well done to Captain Laurel Mason and girl of the match Grace Hamilton. This was a great start to our new season and we played very well, especially in the second half.
Minors: Churchill made it 4 wins from 4 with a comprehensive win over Glenbeigh/Glencar/Cromane on Sunday morning in Cromane. The final scoreline of 2-15 to 1-06 was reflective of the dominance we showed throughout the game and leaves us clear at the top of the County League table with one round of matches remaining. Next up is a home game against Kilcummin on Friday 5th April at 6:45pm in Churchill.
Churchill GAA Summer Show: Following the success of our Strictly Come Dancing and Lip Sing events in the last two years, we are delighted to announce that we will be holding a Summer Show this May Bank Holiday Sunday in Ballyroe Heights Hotel. We are launching the event this Friday night at 8pm in the Oyster Tavern. Tickets will go on sale at the launch and are expected to sell out quickly.
