Cookstown Hockey Club

GLENANNE 4 COOKSTOWN 3

*Cookstow*n came within two minutes of another excellent point in their EYHL campaign, this time away in Dublin against league leaders Glenanne.

The Reds never stopped battling and a Paul Thompson goal saw them make it 3-3 with just a few minutes remaining. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to hold on with Jonny McCormack deflecting home the winning goal just before the whistle.

The Glens started the game at high pace, putting Cookstown under a lot of pressure. Despite some excellent defending, Glenanne won a stroke after good work by Brownlow and Gibney on the baseline saw Jack Haycock stop the ball on the line illegally. Josh McCabe saved superbly from Keogh.

It was the Reds who went into the lead, Michael Kerr lashing home from a short corner. However, the home side went into the second quarter level, Shaw slotting home from the set piece.

Glenanne started the better of the two teams in the second quarter and were rewarded with their second goal after some nice play along the back line saw Boucher score with a drag flick.

Cookstown pressed on and were determined to get back in the game. Several chances went astray before Cookstown won their second corner of the game. Dan Crooks on hand to make it 2-2 with a well worked short corner routine.
The second half was very open affair with both teams coming close. The Glens had Boucher and O’Connor in the sin bin, but managed to go ahead, Couse finishing off a scramble for the ball.

Cookstown, like in so many games before, battled hard to get back into the game. Some interlinking play from Greg Allen and Stu Smyth found Paul Thompson at the penalty spot and he calmly put it away for 3-3.

With two minutes remaining, Glenanne piled on the pressure. Cookstown soaked up as much as possible but it wasn’t meant to be; Brennan rolled and fired the ball across goal for a deflection by McCormack.

Cookstown Ladies also had a disappointing day. Losing out 3-0 at Steelweld Park against a very strong NI Civil Service. It was an evenly contested the match throughout, but while Service took their chances, the Reds couldn’t take advantage. The Player of the Match was Lillie Crooks.

Cookstown II had a proper battle at Comber Road in Hillsborough against Lisnagarvey III in JL1. They went 1-0 down before getting back into the game with goals by Richard Nelson and Callum Scott. Garvey brought the game level just into the second half before Stevie Allen made it 3-2. Paul Watt finished an excellent move for 4-2 before Garvey made it a nervy finish for the away side with another goal.
Cookstown IV had their last league game of the season in JL3, beating Kilkeel III by 5-2. The result should see Michael Millar and Gary Major’s men safe after a tough start to the season and despite other teams having more games to play. The Reds’ goals came from Gareth Cuddy (2), Stephen Cuddy (2) and Chrissy Burns.