Siobhan Cotter Tournament: Churchill welcomed teams from U7 to U10 from Austin Stacks, John Mitchels and Ballymac to the Spa for our Annual Siobhan Cotter Tournament on Sunday morning. After some enthralling games Churchill came out on top to claim the title.
Churchill- Siobhan Cotter tournament champs.
Our U10’s started brightly with a win against John Mitchel’s. We scored two early goals and won on a final score line 2-5 to 2-1. Next up we played Ballymac and this game proved to be a game of two halves. Trailing by 7 points at half time every single player put their shoulder to the wheel to draw level 1-5 apiece. We can consider ourselves unlucky not to have taken all the points considering the performance in the second half.
Our final game was against a very strong Austin Stacks team. We conceded two early goals which left us with a lot to do. However we brought the gap back to 2 points early in the second half but Stacks scored 2 more goals and this was the difference in the end.
Our U9’s played John Mitchel’s in their first game and after a slow start they really found their rhythm in the second half to win on a score line 4-6 to 2-2. Next up was another cracking game of football against Ballymac.
We saw some brilliant defending and tackling from our defence and this helped the team soak the pressure Ballymac were inflicting and when our midfield and forward line linked up we got some lovely scores and the game ended in a draw 1-5 apiece.
The final game was against Austin Stacks and this was the culmination of all the hard won put in by these players during the year. From goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack it was their most complete performance of the day and they ran our winners on a score line Churchill 4-8 Austin Stacks 1-5.
Well done to each and every member of the U9/U10 squad. They have worked hard all year and it was great to see their vast array of skills being showcased on Sunday. Well done also to the mentors: U9: Mike Hickey, Cormac Murphy, Brian Tuite U10: Aidan Harty, John Quilter and John McKenna. Next up is a trip to Mallow on Saturday for a go game blitz. Details on bus departure etc will be sent during the week.
Well done to the U8’s for a couple of absolutely massive performances in helping to secure the Siobhan Cotter Tournament. Having lost their first game they had to show immense character, determination & great skill to win their final two matches to clinch the tournament, overcoming Austin Stacks in their final game.
In perfect sunshine, the U7’s hosted a strong John Mitchels side in their first game of the tournament.
The Mitchels dominated the first half & it was here that this game was won. It took a while for the Churchill side to get going & they performed much better in the second half.
In the second game, we played Ballymac & the team showed what they are capable of in this game, very tight in defence & taking some lovely scores to win comfortably in the end. In the last game, Churchill played Austin Stacks & the team were really up for this encounter as they knew they had to win. They fought for everything, took their points when the opportunity arose to win in the end by 4 points.
This was an excellent display by the U7’s winning 2 out of their 3 games & it was evident to see that they got better with every game & contributed to the overall success of Churchill on the day.
On the low field our U6’s played Austin Stacks in a series of challenge games as an aside to the tournament on the upper field.
All players showed off the great improvement in their skills over the past 6 months and will be well prepared for the step up to U7 next year. A big thank you to all the players and mentors from all the teams and to all the volunteers that helped out in running what was a huge undertaking by the juvenile club.
U14: The season drew to a close on Saturday in the St Brendans Board Competition in Churchill. Darragh O Sullivan captained the team and well done to the 15 players left standing at the end of the season.
Na Gaeil Started strongly in the first half with a quickfire 1-2, responded to by Darragh with 1-1, Na Gaeil tacked on a few points to lead 1-5 to 1-1 at half-time. We started the second half with a very strong showing and a Conor Brick goal and points from Paddy Walsh and Darragh had us ahead and looking strong.
Back came Na Gaeil for a well taken goal, in spite of Tommy Burns’ efforts to keep it out on his first time in goals, and added a few points without reply. Eddie McCarthy and Darragh kicked a further 2 points but we didn’t score again to lose on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-5.
There were strong displays by all the players on Saturday and they are developing in to a fine team.
Thanks to all the players for their hearty commitment to training and playing, from the management team of Kevin, Eoin, Susan, Liam, Ken and also thanks for the great training by senior players Gearoid and PJ during the year. We will be looking forward to seeing the lads at U16 and U14s again next year.
U16: Congratulations to our U-16 football team who were victorious against a valiant Ballymacelligott Team in the Tralee Town League Final on Sunday last.
U16 Tralee town board Div 2 winners.
In an exciting and competitive first half Churchill were leading at the break by 1-4 to 2 points. This trend continued in the second half and Churchill came out on top with a final score of 2:13 to 1:8.
Great credit must go to both the teams who played some excellent football in a very sporting game. The St Brendan’s Board U-16 Championship commences shortly with our first game against St. Pat’s.
Minor: Best of luck to the St Brendan’s minor team and especially the Churchill contingent, when they face East Kerry in the Minor Co Final in Austin Stacks Park on Saturday at 4pm. This is a game that would be well worth a visit as both these teams have a wealth of talent and should serve up a cracking final.
Race Night: Churchill GAA’s race night is being held in The Tankard on Friday night 27th October. This is always a great nights entertainment and a must attend social night in the parish. Tickets and a share in a horse are priced at €20 and are available from any member of the executive.
