Congrats
Pride of place this week goes to Mikey Brennan on winning his second All-Ireland Junior medal with Kerry last Saturday in Croke Park after their victory against Mayo. Well done to Mikey and the rest of the team and to Stephen Wallace and his selectors.
Co. League Div 4.
Churchill 0-7 Ballydonoghue 1-14
Churchill were comprehensively beaten by Ballydonoghue last Sunday, though the scoreline probably doesn’t do justice to the Churchill team’s performance. The match was high on commitment and intensity but low on quality, and it tended to boil over at times, not helped by some controversial refereeing decisions. Tempers even boiled over on the sideline at one stage, as the match was delayed by over 5 minutes in the second half while peace was restored.
Ballydonoghue, playing with the aid of a strong breeze, were first on the scoreboard with a free after 5 minutes, which they followed up with a point from play after a Churchill pass out of defence was intercepted. Ger McCarthy got Churchill off the mark, when he converted a free after Cillian Fitzgerald was brought down when through on goal.
Unfortunately, that was to be Fitzgerald’s last meaningful contribution as he had to retire with a shoulder injury soon after. Things went from bad to worse for Churchill, as they lost Cathal Rogers to a straight red card soon after.
These were two hammer blows for Churchill, from which they never recovered. Between then and half-time, Ballydonogue added on 7 more points, with their full-forward being Churchill’s tormentor in chief. Churchill weren’t helped by ill-discipline which resulted in the referee bringing a number of frees forward and making them far easier to convert.
Up front, Churchill played well against a stiff breeze, but most attacks resulted in shots dropping into the goalkeeper’s arms. Ivan Parker did manage to add a good point before half-time to give Churchill a glimmer of hope.
Half Time: Churchill 0-2 Ballydonoghue 0-9
The second half resumed in much the same fashion as the first half, when the Ballydonoghue full-forward fired over after 30 seconds. Ger McCarthy pulled one back for Churchill after Parker was fouled.
The match was evened up in terms of numbers when Ballydonoghue were reduced to 14 men, when their corner back got his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Ballydonogue kept the scoreboard ticking over with two more points, which Churchill cancelled out with another free from McCarthy and a good point from play after 15 minutes from Des McCarthy, on as a sub for Ivan Parker. From then until the 28th minute of the second half, neither side scored, as the match became very niggly.
Mikey Brennan, fresh from his All-Ireland victory the previous day, tried hard and following a storming run from midfield, his shot was excellently saved by the Ballydonoghue keeper. That was to be Churchill’s last chance, as Ballydonoghue added 1-2 as the clock ticked down with a sole free from McCarthy in response.
Next up for Churchill is a home match against table-toppers Scartaglin this weekend, which has now become a must-win game if we are to have any hope of promotion to Div 3.
Full Time: Churchill 0-7 Ballydonoghue 1-14
Churchill: Paul O’Sullivan, Mitchell Holland, Shane Crowley, JJ Prior, Ivan Parker (0-1), Garett Walsh, Cathal Rogers, Mikey Brennan, Jack O’Connell, Brian Hill, Cillian Fitzgerald, Keith Rolls, Peadar Stack, Ger McCarthy (0-5, all frees), Ciaran Crowley
Subs used: Des McCarthy (0-1), Chris Hurley, Matt Finnerty, Shane Kenny
Next Match:
Churchill vs Scartaglin in Churchill at 2pm on Sunday 16th August. Please come out and support the team.
Juveniles:
Well done to all Juveniles who played challenge matches last weekend, including the U-10s who hosted Tarbert in the New Pitch in Churchill. Four quarters of 10 minutes were played in an 11-a-side format, to give all players match time. Churchill acquitted themselves very well. Having lost the first quarter playing into a stiff breeze against a skilful Tarbert team, they ran out winners in the remaining 3 quarters, displaying some great teamwork and skills. Thanks to Tarbert for travelling out to us.
Training as usual for the U-10s on Wednesday @ 7pm – look out for texts from mentors for other age groups.
