Seniors: Churchill 0-10; Keel 0-11. Keel edged a tight contest in Churchill on Sunday afternoon, where the breezy conditions had a big bearing on the game.
Playing into the wind in the first period, Keel drew first blood with a free from Gary Sayers, before Churchill settled into the game and took advantage of the elements. First, Gary Rolls broke up a Keel attack and fed JJ Prior who slotted over a lovely score from distance. Keeper Eoghan O’Brien knocked over a 45, quickly followed by a free from Michael O’Brien.
Churchill were then reduced to 14 men when JJ Prior was unlucky to see red for an incident where a number of players from both teams had gotten involved. Keel’s Thomas Ladden reduced the deficit to a point, but Churchill replied with three unanswered scores, including two more long range frees from their ‘keeper, O’Brien.
Keel were then reduced to 14 when Eoin O’Neill picked up a second red when he reacted after being on the receiving end of a few heavy challenges. Aaron Murphy for Keel, and Ivan Parker for Churchill exchanged points before the break to leave the halftime score Churchill 0-07; Keel 0-03.
Keel started the second period brightly and quickly ate into the Churchill lead with scores from Tommy Buckley and Gary Sayers. Centre back Luke Flynn then burst forward to reduce the deficit to 1 with a great score from distance.
Churchill were under severe pressure at this stage and Eoin O’Brien had to get down sharply to save from Gary Sayers, but Dylan Prendergast was on hand to help the rebound over the bar to tie the game. Churchill rallied and when Ivan Parker found Michael Mixer O’Brien his rasping shot came back off the crossbar.
Keel then opened up a two point lead with a great point from Aaron Murphy and a 45’ from their goalkeeper Stephen Cahillane. Churchill’s Jack O’Connell won a few nice balls around the middle of the field and Sean Donnellan was tenacious and tried everything to get Churchill back into the game.
A Parker free put a single point between the teams, but again Keel came forward and two more scores including a fisted point from Terry O’Sullivan put three points, and a little daylight, between the sides.
To their credit, Churchill never gave up and when Thomas Lenihan and Parker both pointed to put a point between the teams again, it looked like they might snatch a draw. In the end the clock ran out on them and Keel were deserved victors by a solitary score.
Listowel’s victory over Lispole means that Keel will host Listowel next weekend in a winner takes all top of the table clash, while Churchill will travel to Lispole this Saturday 20th April at 6:30pm with the losers of that having to negotiate a relegation playoff.
Minors: Churchill had a comprehensive victory over Kilcummin in the Co League Semi Final last Friday night in Churchill by a 10-09 to 0-09 margin. Churchill will now face Keel/Listry in the Final this Friday night. Venue and time are yet to be decided so keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details.
All Ireland Scór Sinsear: Congratulations to the Churchill Quiz team of Mike Gaynor, Alex O Donnell, Paul Culloty and John Flaherty who retained their All Ireland Title in Castlebar last weekend and in the process made it 4 National Titles in 6 years. Churchill came out on top with an impressive score of 72 marks out of 80 and two marks clear on Cavan who were on 70 marks and 5 ahead of Limerick on 67.
U16: Milltown Castlemaine visited Churchill to play a challenge match, in what is their third game of the season. Churchill got off to a strong start with Cian Kearney and Darragh O Sullivan twice converting points.
Milltowns #14 replied with two points to leave the score 0-03 to 0-02. Churchill scored their only goal of the game through #15, David Feely after good link up play involving Paddy Walsh, Donagh Stephenson and Harvey Brosnan. Milltown scored a goal of their own with both teams trading points for a halftime scoreline of 1-07 to 1-05 in favour of Churchill.
In the second half, Eoghan Walsh and Brian Lenihen in the fullback line made it tough for their markers to score and with good delivery to Tommy Burns, Harvey Brosnan and Ben Donnellan, kept Churchill on the front foot. Eddie McCarthy drove forward and covered back as did Paddy Walsh, Cian Kearney and Niall Cassidy.
Adam Doyle and Donagh Stephenson continually threatened form the wing forward position with Darragh O Sullivan converting regularly to help Churchill to a 1-18 to 1-08 scoreline. Churchill tagged on another four points with two late consolation goals from Milltown.
U12 Girls: Well done to our U12 girls who won the North Kerry Division 3 final last Monday 8th April, beating Duagh by 5-09 to 4-07.
