Churchtown have close win over Liscarroll

Churchtown NS 2-8 Liscarroll NS 3-3

THE opening game was a thrilling contest between Churchtown and Liscarroll. Liscarroll opened with an early point by Aaron O’Callaghan after good play by Aaron Michael Kissane. Churchtown replied soon after when David McQuillan placed Hugo Raftery who set up Callum Morrissey for a point.

Liscarroll hit the front again through Aaron Michael Kissane. Good play by Hugo Raftery to Gabriel Oronsaye led to a very good save by Darragh Crowley. Michael Delee had a free for the winners well saved and cleared by the backs. Liscarroll forced a penalty when Dylan O’Connor was fouled.

Aaron O’Callaghan goaled from the spot kick and Liscarroll were 1-2 to 0-1 clear. Churchtown fought back well. Good play out of defence by Jack McMahon saw Gabriel Oronsaye gain possession on the 21-metre line and solo along the ground before scoring a great goal 1-3 to 1-1.

Liscarroll forced a second penalty. On this occasion O’Callaghan’s effort went narrowly wide. Churchtown finished the half strong they had points by Hugo Raftery and Michael Delee that had them deadlocked at the break 1-3 each.

Churchtown had the aid of the slight breeze on the resumption. Michael Delee was fouled and he pointed the free. Good play by Hugo Raftery led to another Michael Delee point.

Further pressure saw Hugo Raftery point and open up a three-point lead. A free by Michael Delee was gathered by Callum Morrissey with Delee taking the return pass and pointing. Liscarroll battled back well. Cormac Dillon goaled and the lead was down to a point. A foul on Hugo Raftery led to a free by Michael Delee that came back off the bar. Churchtown forced a penalty and Michael Delee made no mistake opening up a lead 2-8 to 2-3.

Cormac Dillon had a second goal for Liscarroll. Good play by Gabriel Oronsaye to Hugo Raftery led to a save by Darragh Crowley. In the dying moments Churchtown keeper David McQuillan saved well from Michael Shanahan.

The final whistle followed and Churchtown were winners by a twopoint margin. After the game Brendan O’Connor presented the cup to the winning captain Michael Delee. CHURCHTOWN: Donal McQuillan, Jack McMahon, Darragh Lee, David Hanlon, Caoimhin O’Flynn, Michael Delee 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Hugo Raftery 0-2, Callum Morrissey 0-1, Gabriel Oronsaye 1-0. Subs: John Butler for David Hanlon, Cormac Lee for John Butler.

LISCARROLL: Darragh Crowley, Sean Brosnan, Ronan Dillon, Andrew Healy, Cormac Dillon 2-0, Michael Shanahan 0-1, Aaron Michael Kissane, Aaron O’Callaghan 1-2 (1-0 pen), Dylan O’Connor.