CHURCHVIEW CELTIC DEC 2001

Churchview Celtic




Churchview Celtic may be riding high at the top of Murphy's Stout AUL 2A but their prospects are regularly threatened by riding of another kind. Their unfenced Fairfield pitch is a constant target for joyriders and the club are often in fire-brigade action in the hours leading up to match time, patching up the pitch and welding goalposts.



The club are not the sole users. They share the facility with Lou's Laundries (of the Business and Shipping League). The green area is also used by the Farranree School and the local summer schemes for various sporting activities. It is an area that should be protected and Churchview treasurer Eddie Morey knows the local political representatives, now well briefed on the matter, are more than willing to help and he expects a breakthrough soon with regard to funding.



For all the distractions, Churchview are top of the table in a very competitive section. They are out of the Saxone Cup but are still in the Corinthians and are also looking forward to action in the City Cup after Christmas.



Morey reckons that their best victory to date came just a couple of weeks back when, down to nine men, they came from behind do defeat Celtic Utd 3-2 in a thrilling top of the table clash.



Much of the credit for the success this season must go to player-manager Micky Geaney who is also the side's top scorer. Geaney gets side-line assistance from Jimmy Hurley and Graham O'Neill. Paul O'Keeffe is skipper, Denver Cooke is vice captain, while the other leading marksmen are Paul O'Keeffe and Keith O'Neill.



O'Neill is a new signing this season and other fresh faces at the club include Francis Cooney, Steve Glasgow, Jason O'Driscoll and Adam Geaney. The full panel is: Mark McGrath (keeper), Jason O'Driscoll, Jason O'Neill, Eddie Morey, Paul O'Keeffe, Micky Geaney, John Murray, Ken O'Shea, Denver Cooke, Darra Osterloo, Keith O'Neill, Adam Geaney, Like Mannix, Steve Glasgow, Anthony Greene, Mark White.



Churchview, who are sponsored by the Berehaven Bar, are run by Jason O'Neill (chairman), Paul O'Keeffe (vice-chairman), Michael Geaney (secretary) and Morey (treasurer).



The number one aim for this season is to get promotion though Morey would like the added bonus of going up as champions. The lads are training hard, Tuesday and Thursday under their own lights at Fairfield and there is a further session on Friday at the Sam Allen complex in Churchfield.



"There are a lot of young fellows in the area," says Morey, "and in the longer term we would like to harness them into a second team, maybe even start a schoolboy section. We want to keep pushing on and get our first team as high up as we can."