Churchtown claim win after hour-long hold up

word on the day given that the game was held up for well over an hour due to medical treatment being received by a spectator who was later taken to hospital by ambulance.

The opening stages saw both teams quick into the action. They were at 0-1 each when John Buckley and Jamie Sheedy traded a point. They were also level at 0-3 apiece by the 11th minute. Brian Sheedy edged Shanballymore ahead again with a point before Churchtown were on hand to score the games opening goal when a good solo run by John Buckley resulted in Kieran Curtin eventually billowing the net from close range.

Shanballymore recovered well from this set back and in the 19th minute they responded when a delivery by Richard Burke was broken down on the edge of the square with the alert Alan Sheedy finishing to the net following a goal mouth scramble 1-5 to 1-3.

Further pressure saw Jamie Sheedy with a free open up a three point game. The home side had other ideas and three late points by accurate freetaker John Buckley ensured they were tied at the interval at 1-6 each.

For the second half Churchtown dominated matters from the offset. Brian Quinn took up a new role around the middle of the field while in attack two goals in quick succession opened up a commanding lead. In the 37th minute Mark Fitzpatrick, John Quinn and Kieran Curtin combined well to set up David Collins who netted.

Two minutes later a free by Brian Quinn dropped short with substitute Billy Egan placing Kieran Curtin who finished to the net as the winners moved into a 3-7 to 1-6 lead. Jamie Sheedy responded with a point for Shanballymore while at the other end rapid scores by John Breen, Kieran Curtin and Brian Quinn made it 3-10 to 1-7 as the game headed into the last quarter.

Shanballymore battled away with Sean Lynch, Darren Roche and the Sheedy brothers to the fore and they were given a lifeline when a delivery by Anthony Dennehy was finished to the net by Jamie Sheedy in the 48th minute. However there was no denying Churchtown their win.

That long delay to attend to that spectator then ensued, with doubts over whether the game would be concluded. It was and when play resumed a late goal by John Breen sealed victory for the winners.