Churchill News May 19

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rsz_1churchill_gaa_2Churchill vs Firies Co. League

After last week’s disappointing Championship exit, Churchill returned to Co. League action with an away fixture against Firies.

Churchill won their last two league outings and were hopeful of making it three in a row against the home side.

Like last week, Churchill got off to a slow start and were 1-02 to no score behind after 7 minutes, the Firies goal coming from a poor clearance out of defence.

However, Churchill had the next 3 scores. Cillian Fitzgerald got Churchill off the mark after 15 minutes with a point from play, after good work by Mikey Brennan.

The same player repeated the trick after 18 minutes with another good point from play. Benny Dillon got on the scoresheet after 20 minutes with another good point and was unlucky to see his shot come off the underside of the crossbar in the 21st minute, after an excellent move where the Churchill forwards scythed through the Firies defence.

Firies stemmed the tide with a point from a ‘45’, but Mikey Brennan kept the Churchill momentum going with a point after 28 minutes. Brennan had to go off soon after following a heavy challenge, but Benny Dillon pointed the resultant free.

Half-Time: Churchill 0-05 Firies 1-03

Churchill got out of the blocks well in the second half with a point from Benny Dillon following a great ball from Cillian Fitzgerald.

However, against the run of play, Firies put together a great move and the ball finished up in the net to give the home side a 3-point advantage. Churchill heads didn’t drop though and they continued to put pressure on the Firies defence.

Their persistence was rewarded with a goal of their own, when Fiachra Griffin, on for Mikey Brennan, finished soccer-style to the net, after good work along the end line by JJ Prior.

Chris Hurley then gave Churchill the lead for the first time in the match with a point from the left wing. Firies response was quick with a point of their own from play.

The sides were now level going into the last 10 minutes of the game. Donal Daly pushed Firies ahead once again and the pressure was now back on Churchill. Driven on by Garrett Walsh, who was excellent throughout, and Daniel Doyle, Churchill were pressing now for the equaliser but the shot options were poor and a number of chances drifted wide (though a shot from Fiachra Griffin which looked to be over, was waved wide by the umpire). Churchill’s persistence was eventually rewarded when Cillian Fitzgerald was brought down when through on goal.

The referee awarded a free, though Churchill had valid shouts for a penalty, and the Firies defender was sent off for a second yellow card. Benny Dillon made no mistake and the sides were level once again. That was to be the final score. In a somewhat tempestuous encounter, which wasn’t helped by some erratic refereeing decisions, a draw was possibly the fairest result.

Full Time: Churchill 1-07 Firies 2-04
Team: Noel Dillon, PJ O’Mahony, Eoin McCarthy, Mitchell Holland, JJ Prior, Matt Finnerty, Shane Crowley, Garret Walsh, Chris Hurley (c) (0-02) Daniel Doyle (0-01) Mark O’Connor, Cathal Rogers, Benny Dillon (0-03, 2 frees), Cillian Fitzgerald (0-02) Mikey Brennan (0-01)
Subs used: Fiachra Griffin (1-00), Diarmuid Mc Garry

 U-14 Division 1 Final

A much stronger Austin Stacks team defeated our U-14 Churchill team in the Division 1 final, played in ideal conditions in Blennerville on Wednesday night.

Stacks were superior all over the field and had a distinct height advantage on their smaller Churchill opponents. A low scoring first half belied what was to follow in the second half.

Though Churchill scored two quick points at the start of the second half, Stacks got in for a brace of goals, the second an unstoppable shot. Hard though Churchill tried, they found it very difficult to get the ball into the forward line.

When they did, they were restricted to shooting for points from distance. When Stacks broke forward, they did so with pace and they always had players on the overlap who could knock over points.

Churchill lost nothing in defeat and should be proud of their efforts throughout the league and in getting to the final. This is a young team from whom I’m sure there is more to come.
Final Score: Austin Stacks 2-12 Churchill 0-07

FENIT/SPA PARENT & BABY/TODDLER GROUP
Mary, Sandra, Caitlyn, Angela, Maresa, Agnes & Sinead would like to thank everybody who recently supported our very successful Bake Sale – to everybody who donated baked goods, especially those who do not have kiddies attending the group – Mike O’Neill, Amanda Bentley-Curran, Christine Gallagher, Breda Moriarty, Ciaran Moore, Mary Kelly and Jennifer Locke. A special thank you to the businesses who very kindly donated spot prizes – Turning Hedz Hairdressers, Heavenly Baked, Spa Seafoods, Peter Curran Bees and Timothy A. O’Connor Accountants.

Congratulations to Munchin O’Connor, Mary Kelly, Breda Moriarty, Daire nYeates, Oran Murphy and MJ Locke who won spot prizes. Our group meets every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12 noon (during school term) in Fenit Parish Hall. New members always welcome.

 

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