Senior: Listowel Emmets 4-12; Churchill 0-10.
Churchill suffered a heavy defeat to Listowel in the first group game of the Junior Premier Championship in Ballybunion on Saturday evening. Churchill actually started the game brightly and led by 3 points to 1 early on with 2 Ivan Parker scores and 1 from Michael Mixer O’Brien.
Liam O’Donnell and Sean Donnellan were picking up breaks around the middle of the field and the defence were solid led by Peadar Stack, Gary Rolls and PJ O’ Mahony. However, two quick goals from Listowel gave them a 4 point advantage and the lead that they would not surrender for the remainder of the game.
Churchill plugged away and three frees from Mixer and points from Jack Dolan and Parker, who was causing real trouble for the Listowel defence, ensured the deficit at the break was only 2 points, 2-04 to 0-08. Both Churchill midfielders and our fullback had to go off injured before the break and Listowel brought on inter county star Conor Cox when their corner forward, David Keane, picked up a black card.
Parker kicked the first score of the second half from a tight angle, as he was being marked by two players, to reduce the gap to a single point. However, Listowel picked off 6 points in a row, 4 from Cox, to put daylight between the teams. A Mixer free only gave a temporary reprieve and Listowel added two further goals late on gave the scoreline a harsher look than Churchill deserved.
Churchill have a break this weekend and are back in Championship action on the weekend of the 13th April. The opposition and venue are yet to be confirmed so keep an eye on our Facebook page for further details.
Minor: Kilcummin travel to Churchill this Friday evening in Round 5 of the Minor Football League. With 4 wins out of 4 so far in the League, Churchill will be looking to keep their momentum going. Throw in is at 6:45pm.
Academy: Churchill’s Academy training continues in the Spa on Sunday mornings from 11am. Registration is still open and any new or returning players will be more than welcome. Don’t forget to bring gumshield, water and €2.
Membership: General Club membership is due for payment before the end of April. Only members who have joined before 30th April will be eligible to apply for All Ireland Football tickets later in the year. With Kerry impressing in their League campaign you don’t want to miss out.
At The Oyster Tavern on Friday night for the launch of the Churchill Variety Show which takes place on May 4 in Ballyroe Heights Hotel were, in front; Jessica McGibney and Maeve Hanafin. Seated; Aidan Murphy, Mike Moriarty and Dave Buckley. At back; Veronica Kelly, Triona Daly, Jim O’Sullivan, Malachy Kelly, Maura McCarthy, Susan Browne and Linda Browne. Photo by Dermot Crean
Churchill GAA Summer Variety Show: We had the launch of this summer’s variety show in the Oyster Tavern on Friday night. This will be a great nights entertainment and an opportunity to get out and meet your fellow parishioners.
There will be 10 local acts taking to the stage in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on the May Bank Holiday Sunday, 5th May, in addition to Special Guests Mark Leen and Catriona O’Sullivan. Tickets are on sale now from any member of the Executive or you can message us on our Facebook page, ”Churchill GAA Summer Variety Show”.
