U10/U8/U6:
Churchill U10s played in a County Board Blitz last Thursday in the John Mitchels complex. They played 3 games against Kerins O Rahillys, Scartaglin and An Gaeltacht. For our first outing of the year all players acquitted themselves very well and can be extremely proud of their performance. It was great to see so many parents in attendance also to support their children and the club. Academy training continues as normal on Sunday mornings for the U6/U8/U10 age group.
U12s:
On a beautiful Sunday evening in our new pitch our Green team put in a great performance against a strong Ardfert team. There were great performances by all players in particular Ben Donnellan in defence, Eddie Mccarthy in Midfield and Oran Murphy in attack. It was our first game and everyone can be very proud of themselves. After a great comeback in the second half Ardfert were deserving winners by a score of 5-05 to 5-02.
Our Black team put in a very strong performance and came up just short on a score of 4-09 to 4-03. In a great team performance, David Chute in goals and Gearoid O Connor in defence stood out along with Harvey Brosnan and Donagh Stephenson further up the field.
We are in Kenmare next Sunday evening for our 2nd league game.
U14:
Our U14 team struggled against a very strong Rathmore team losing out to a score of 4-10 to 9-15. They rallied hard and with continued hard work and training will still be in a strong position to represent the Club in the Feile in a group containing, Ballyduff, the 3rd team from Dublin and the 2nd team from Kildare with Churchill to host our guests from Kildare.
U16:
On Thursday evening our U16 put in a very impressive performance to run out comfortable winners against Glenebigh/Glencar/Cromane by a score of 1-20 to 0-03. Their next outing will be against Kerins O’Rahillys away on April 14th and training details will be communicated by the mentors.
Seniors.
In glorious sunshine, Churchill entertained Ballymac in round 2 of the County League on Sunday afternoon. Churchill came into the game on the back of an opening round defeat to Firies, while Ballymac were looking to continue winning ways following a win over Dr Crokes on the opening day. It was the visitors who started the brightest with 3 unanswered points from Vinny Horan (2) and wing back Luke Sweeny, before Sweeney struck for goal following a great run from defence. Churchill replied with two pointed frees, but Ballymac were in control in midfield with some fine fielding from Shane Dowling. Both sides registered two more points each before the break to leave the St Kieran’s club leading by 1-07 to 0-04 at halftime.
Ballymac continued where they had left of after the break with two points, the pick of them from fullback Mike Leen with a great score while off balance. Churchill responded with a freekick from Oisin O’Brien that was deflected into the net to give the hosts a glimmer of hope. Both sides then exchanged pointed frees, but Churchill had taken a hold in defence and midfield and were using the halfback line as a springboard for attack, with JJ Prior particularly effective. Churchill kicked 4 points on the trot from Oisin O’Brien (2), Mike O’Brien and substitute Fiachra Griffin, before Aidan Breen pointed for Ballymac with 10 minutes remaining.
Then, in a pivotal moment in the game, Cathal Rogers then won a ball for Churchill 40m from goal near the sideline and beat two men before firing an unstoppable shot to the back of the net to give Churchill the lead for the first time in the match. Con Counihan equalised for Ballymac with a beautiful point from distance, before both teams were reduced to 14 men in quick succession.
With time running out Micheal O’Brien broke up a Ballymac attack and the ball was fed to Micheal Brennan to coolly score the winning point from distance. This was cruel on Ballymac, who had led for much of the game, but credit is due to Churchill who never gave in despite being 8 points down early in the second half. Best for Ballymac were Luke Sweeny with 1-03 from wing back and Matt Galvin, while Oisin O’Brien, JJ Prior and Micheal Brennan impressed for Churchill. Final score Churchill 2-10 : Ballymac 1-12.
Churchill. Paul O’Sullivan, Mitchel Holland, PJ O’Mahony, Karl Sheehy, Cathal Rogers (1-00), Garret Walsh, JJ Prior, Ciaran Crowley, Jack O’Connell, Neil Collins-O’Brien, Matt Finnerty, Micheal Brennan (0-01), Ivan Parker (0-01), Michael O’Brien(0-03), Oisin O’Brien (1-04). Subs Fiachra Griffin (0-01) for O’Connell, Pa McCarthy for Collins-O’Brien.
Ballymac. Paudie Laide, Liam Dunne, Mike Leen (0-01), TJ Casey, Cian Counihan (0-01), Con Reynolds, Luke Sweeny (1-03), Matt Galvin, Shane Dowling, Shane O’Reilly, Jonathon Keane (0-01), Eanna Galvin, Paudie McCarthy (0-01), Aidan Breen (0-02), Vinny Horan (0-03).
