Cookstown Hockey Club

Stuart Smyth

“That was a brilliant game,” said Cookstown’s Greg Allen. “We were 2-0 down and were a bit slow getting into the game, but we rallied and changed a few things around the back at half time. That seemed to make all the difference.
“At 2-2 I don’t think we looked like losing. We just kept at it and kept at it, and in the fourth quarter Scotty McCabe popped up with the finish from a great move.
“Pembroke were definitely good for their lead in the first half though. They’re a quality side with a lot of quality players, and they made it very tough.
“Being two down made our job pretty simple in the second half. We had nothing to lose – it’s the quarter final of the Irish Senior Cup after all – and we knew that we had to throw everything at them, give it a rattle and see what happened. Thankfully, we got the goals we needed for the game to go our way.”
Irish international Alan Sothern sent Pembroke ahead in the first quarter before Jack Ryan doubled the Dubliners’ advantage. Pembroke were good value for their 2-0 half time lead, slinging the ball around at pace and causing problems across the pitch.
Cookstown came out swinging in the second period, however, with Stuart Smyth smashing home from the short corner set piece to halve the deficit in quarter three.
Jack Haycock had a memorable half, finding himself on the sidelines through a green card before sending Cookstown level with an unstoppable drag flick at the start of quarter four. He then missed a penalty flick, but finished the half on top with a series of big tackles to keep his team in the match.
The moment of the game came with two minutes to go. Mark Crooks started the move inside his own half, finding Smyth infield. His reverse pass beat the tiring Pembroke defence to pick out Greg Allen on the baseline. The striker used all his experience to draw the Pembroke goalkeeper out and square for Scott McCabe to force the abll over the line for 3-2.
Pembroke managed a final foray into the Cookstown circle, but Josh McCabe in goal was equal to the danger, saving well to send the Reds into the next round where they will meet UCD. The other semi-final sees Lisnagarvey play Glenanne.
Solo Fuels MVP: Max Anderson
Cookstown Ladies had a tough day in Ballynahinch, losing out by 3-1. The bright point of the game was a belter of a goal by Rebecca Hughes.
Cookstown II were involved in a cracking game against Lisnagarvey II in JL1. Garvey went 2-0 up in the first half, but the Reds fought back with goals from Greg Allen, Mitch Greer and a brace from the on-form Richard McGaw. Garvey struck late on to make it 4-3.
Cookstown III were 5-1 winners over NI Civil Service III at Steelweld Park.
Cookstown IV faced ten-man South Antrim III, but goals by Darren Cassells, Jack Patterson and Solo Fuels MVP Andy Barbour gave them a convincing 3-1 win.