Senior: Churchill will be looking to book their place in the Semi-Final of the Junior Premier Championship when they make the short journey into Na Gaeil on Saturday evening.
This is another tough draw following on from our impressive win over Ballydonoghue last time out. Throw-In for this one is at 6:30 in Kileen and it would bring great to get a large travelling support to cheer on the troops.
Academy: Well done to all the U8’s and U10’s who took part in the John Mitchels Easter blitz last Wednesday and Thursday. There is an Under 10 blitz on Tuesday 25th April in Blennerville. All players to meet at St Pat’s pitch in Blennerville at 6:15pm. Our Under 8’s and Under 10’s have a match away to Listowel this Saturday. The bus will be leaving the Spa at 9:30am.
U12 A: Churchill 5-13 Rathmore 5-15. Our U12’s came up just short in a thriller in Division 2A on Sunday evening.
Our dynamic forwards took their scores very well right from the start with Maurice Lenihan and Billy Doyle keeping us ticking over. After trailing by 1 point at HT, 3-05 to 2-09, we made a fantastic start to the second half and got into the lead where we remained until the final moments until we ran out of steam.
The consistent honest determination of Hugh Lenihan and Barry Hamilton was great to watch and lead by example for everyone to follow. David Chute made his customary brilliant saves throughout and Art O’Sullivan made a superb debut at full back. Overall, we played brilliant as a unit and got fantastic scores when the forwards got the supply. Oisin McGibney’s transition to half forward paid dividends and Oran Murphy at half back provided great supply throughout.
Paddy Falvey again showed his pace consistently and is developing into a top full back. In midfield, John Joe Hanafin and Cian O’Gara had the task of marking Rathmore’s best and gave it everything.
Overall we were very unlucky and can only be proud of our display.
U12 B: On a perfect Sunday evening for football on our new pitch we had a fantastic battle with Rathmore. We built up an early lead with scores from Ronan and Darragh. Rory and Donnacha were solid in the backs with Josh and Billy linking play very well in the forward line. Ryan,Gearoid and Mark were excellent at winning ball but Rathmore came into the game just before halftime and the sides went in level at the break.
Tom, Daithí,and Donagh contributed greatly in the second half and Conor’s kick outs were inch perfect.The second half was very close as we were 2 points ahead with 5 minutes to play before Rathmore managed to score 2 late goals to steal it at the death. The boys can be very proud of themselves as they battled right to the end. The final score was 5-13 to 4-10. Ryan,Gearoid,Darragh,Mark and Billy were outstanding on the night. Onwards and upwards to Beaufort next week.
U14: U14s went to the Feile Qualifiers last Wednesday in John Mitchels to play the hosts and Knock/Brosna/Duagh. We watched the first game where Mitchels two midfielders stood out and scored goals with ease to win. We played a fired-up Knock/Brosna/Duagh in the second game and started by conceding an early goal as they were more warmed up than us. Harvey Brosnan brought out a strong save from the keeper and Paddy O’Sullivan saved well and had good distribution from kickouts.
We worked harder for our scores and pulled back with points from Eddie McCarthy, David Feeley and Daragh O’Sullivan. Knock/Brosna/Duagh kept their noses in front with regular points. In spite of a point from Paddy Walsh and a goal from Darragh we lost on the scoreline on 1-7 to 1-5. It was disappointing as we felt we were the stronger team but unfortunately were slow out of the blocks.
In the next game we came up against a strongly fancied Mitchels who won well in the first game. We competed well in the middle of the field and throughout with great running to counteract their midfield.
We were winning the battles all over the field as our players sought to assert themselves after the disappointing performance in the first game. Paddy O’Sullivan made some crucial saves from powerful shots to keep Mitchels out. We started evenly and a Darragh O’Sullivan free was followed by a great goal by David Feeley to leave us 3 points up at halftime.
We were on top down the flanks and tireless running was giving us an advantage. After half time, Mitchels scored three points on the bounce to draw level as we struggled to exit our own half. Paddy saved well when faced with Mitchel’s players through for a one-on-one and we kept in the match with a free and points from Darragh in reply to scores to leave it tied in the last minute.
We needed a win to force a three-way playoff and a draw was enough for Mitchels to progress. We had a free to win with the last kick of the game but it went narrowly wide and we drew 1-4 to 0-7 to be knocked out and Mitchels progressed to the semi-final. The team will learn from this experience and put the lessons to good use in the County League this week away against Gneeveguilla. We finally get a home game after three trips away when we face table-topping Keel/Listry on May 10th at 7pm. Your support would be appreciated.
U16: U16 training will resume for the County League on Wednesday, 26th April, in the new pitch, 7.15-8.30pm. The League commences in June, so we hope to organise some challenge games over the next few weeks.
The April meeting of the Churchill GAA Executive takes place this Wednesday 27th April at 8:30pm in the Community Center. It would be appreciated if all officers of the club could attend.
