Féile Péil na nÓg, 2016
Churchill U14’s played in Féile Péil na NÓg over the weekend. This is a huge event on the Juvenile calendar and with Kerry being one of the host venues, it was a great honour for the club to host Balyna GAA from county Kildare who win their Division2 county title some weeks back.
The hosting ethos of this tournament is unique and what makes it very special for the players and parents involved. Churchill wishes to thank all families that took part in that tradition.
The event began on a grey Friday evening in Ballyduff. There were great numbers turned out to support their clubs and the welcome from Ballyduff GAA was well appreciated. Churchill were first up against the home side of Ballyduff.
Possibly down to nerves or excitement, Churchill got off to a slow start and Ballyduff had a comfortable lead at half time of 1-05 to 1-00.
Ballyduff extended their lead early in the 2nd half but when Churchill struck for their 2nd goal, the lead was back to four points. Despite Churchill pushing hard and missing some goal chances late on, Ballyduff held on to win 1-08 to 2-00. In the 2nd game of the evening Balyna were defeated by a late goal from Thomas Davis by a score of 2-06 to 1-08.
The standings after the 1st round of games meant Churchill’s encounter against Thomas Davis was a crunch match. Knowing this, the Churchill boys greatly upped their performance and put in an impressive display of skill and aggression to beat Thomas Davis. From the start, they looked in complete control and won out comfortably on a score of 2-05 to 0-04.
This result meant Churchill knew a win in their final match would guarantee a place in the Cup quarter Final. Balyna played Ballyduff in the final game of the evening and started very brightly, showing signs of the display that qualified them in Kildare.
However, 2 quick goals from Ballyduff cancelled out all their good work and Ballyduff went from strength to strength to win the game on a score of 3-05 to 1-06.
The events on Saturday morning started with a full training program and match for the Churchill academy of U6/U8/U10 and the Girls U14 squads. Churchill wish to extend their gratitude to all the parents and members who contributed both food and time on the morning to make it a memorial occasion for both teams. With home baking a plenty and teas and coffees on offer a great crowd was around for the big match.
There was a guard of honor for both teams as they entered the field, followed by a beautiful rendition of Amhrán na Bhfiann for Padraig Walsh before the formalities were over and the game began.
Balyna started the brighter and were 2 goals up within the first 7 minutes. Churchill then started to play and dominated the final moments of the half scoring two fine points to close the deficit but still trailed at half time by 0-02 to 2-02.
In the 2nd half Churchill got themselves back into the game with a goal and in the final moments both teams pushed for the winner with Churchill twice felled by spectacular goal line clearances and Balyna being disallowed a goal. It ended in a draw of 1-05 to 2-02 and Churchill scrambled to get the result from Ballyduff to know if they were in to the Cup or Shield quarter final.
Moments later it was discovered Thomas Davis were defeated by a point and Churchill were off to Legion to play in the cup while Balyna would participate in the shield.
In Legion, Churchill played the Waterford Div1 champions of Gaultier. However, it proved to be a step too far. Gaultier started strongly and scored some early goals while Churchill spurned some goal chances they created.
It was obvious with the opposition we were playing that we could not afford that luxury. Churchill continued to show great determination but needed goals which failed to come. In the end Churchill went down on a score line of 1-05 to 5-06.
Churchill are extremely proud of the effort of the team and mentors and everyone should be pleased with their individual contribution.
U14 Team: Micheál Dolan, Cian Karney, Conor Gaynor, Brian Hamilton, Eddie Stack, Caoimhin Finn, Connor Lenihan, Richard O’Gara, Joe Linehan, Darragh Murphy, Dara Heim, Damien O’Doherty (C), Paddy Walsh, Sean Clifford, Darragh O’Sullivan, Mark Stephenson, Eoin Walsh, Tommy Burns, Mark Brick, Conor Brick, Eddie McCarthy, Paddy O’Sullivan, Donncha O’Sullivan, Adam Doyle.
U14 Mentors: Tommy O’Sullivan, Padraig Walsh, Paul Hamilton.
Away from the football, there was two social evenings held with a Bar-B-Q and presentations in the Tankard on Friday night and an informal social evening in the Oyster on Saturday night.
An appreciated thank you to the O’Sullivans of the Tankard and Jim McGrath of the Oyster for their support and hospitality on the nights. The families of the U14 helped fund the cost of the Féile by running a raffle to cover the costs of their sports gear.
This draw also took place on Friday night with the winners being, 1st – Mark Gough, 2nd – Conor Nolan, 3rd Collette Clohessy & 4th Bobby Sugrue.
U16
The U16 boys continue training with details communicated by management in preparation for the start of the central league.
U14
The U14 boys are back in action in the league on Monday week, 4th July at home to Annascaul/Lispole.
U12
Churchill U12 celebrated their league victory in the Oyster Tavern barn on Sunday evening from 6 to 7PM. A big thanks to Paul and Ciaran for organising the event and to the Oyster tavern for facilitating the occasion.
Churchill Academy:
The U10 will continue training this Wednesday from 7 to 8:15 in the Spa. Next weekend’s academy of U6/U8/U10 will be communicated during the week. Churchill wish to extend their gratitude to all parents and children that helped make the Féile match in the Spa and memorial occasion.
Cul Camps:
Churchill will be hosting the Football Cul Camps in August from the 8th to the 12th August.
Application forms should have been delivered through the primary schools but parents can also register online at http://www.gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamp
Seniors:
Following on from our last win over Moyvane, Churchill will host Skellig Rangers this Saturday evening in Churchill. Throw in is at 7:30.
Defibrillators:
The defibrillators are now in the cabinet in the Oyster Tavern bar and the second is in the potocabin below the restaurant in Spa Seafoods.We are very greatful to Jim McGrath and Brendan Walsh for facilitating us.