By Mike Moriarty
SENIORS
ALL roads led to sunny Ballymac on Saturday evening for the 1st round of the Junior County Championship.
After being a goal down at half-time Churchill went on to win on a score-line of 1-16 to 1-11. A few features of this game was the majestic fielding of wing forward and captain Chris Hurley and the excellent point taking of Cillian Fitzgerald, Ivan Parker and attacting wing-back J.J Prior.
It was great to see Garreth Walsh making his comeback , coming on as a sub in the second half. My man of the match this week goes to Killian Fitzgerad. It was brilliant to see the support the team got on the night.
Next round at home to Na Gaeil or Dromid. It is hoped to have a challenge game away to Currow on Sunday morning @ 12 midday.
MINORS
I travelled to Ennis on Wednesday night to watch the Kerry minors beat Clare and it was great to see Ivan come on and score a point. We would like to wish him the best of luck for the year ahead.
The All- Ireland Quiz Final will take place in Castlebar in Mayo on Saturday morning at 11am. Representing Kerry will be the local team of Alex o Donnell ,Micheal Gaynor, Paul Culloty and John Flaherty.
This is the second time the club as been in the final, the last time being 1970 when we were reprented by John J O’Donnell father of Alex, Mossie Kelly and Dermot Crowley.
So everybody in the club wish the last well and hope they bring back the title. As chairman of the club I would like to complain about Croke Park’s timing of the Quiz at 11am on a Saturday morning. I’d be hoping our County Culture Committee and Central Council rep will bring this message back to Croke Park and I would be hoping the new incoming President might change this.
CHURCHILL UNDER 14s
Our Under 14 team played Laune Rangers in the semi final of the Féile na nÓg Division competition at sun soaked Killeen last Saturday.
For a club with the small playing numbers that Churchill have, to be competing at this level is some achievement, but these lads have shown all year that they can play fantastic football and are well able to compete with the larger clubs.
However, on Saturday our boys were slow off the blocks and were down three goals in three minutes. A lesser team would have thrown in the towel but the Churchill lads settled and began to play some superb football and hammered home two cracking goals and two well taken points.
A point down at half time, Churchill outplayed Laune Rangers for most of the second half and were four points up entering the final few minutes.
However, full credit to the Laune Rangers boys who stuck to their task too and worked their way back into it and managed to force the draw.
Both teams faced into extra time and Laune Rangers were first off the mark scoring two quick goals. Churchill came back with a few scores but just ran out of time to close the gap.
Huge credit is due to all the players in this small panel and their mentors for the great ‘never say die’ pride and spirit they displayed again on the day.
The team played brilliantly and turned in a tremendous whole hearted performance filled with great skill and determination. Many thanks too to the great local crowd who travelled to support the lads on the day.
This support was very much appreciated by all involved. The panel are now looking forward to participating in one of the national regional Feile Blitzes to be played in late June.
Thanks must also go to all the many coaches and mentors in the juvenile club who are putting in a trojan effort in coaching and guiding the young players.
At every age group our players are being well prepared and coached to play to their very best and with pride in their club. Because of this work, our little club will have many great days ahead!
