Cookstown Hockey Club

Stuart Smyth

“It’s been a really good end to 2019 and we’ll be going out to make sure that we start the New Year on the right foot,” said Cookstown striker Stuart Smyth.
“And given how Raphoe have been going over the past few weeks, it will take a really top performance from us on Saturday to make sure that happens.
“Raphoe’s draw with Instonians at Shawsbridge was impressive, and the win over them in Donegal really puts the cat amongst the pigeons for the run in. Add to that the big score they put on Bangor and you will understand why we are taking this match against them so seriously.
“We’ve won all our games in the Premier League so far and haven’t conceded yet, so you’ve got to take confidence out of that, and aim to build on that start.
“Raphoe will make it competitive in the midfield and have a great counterattack game too, so we’ll need to concentrate on being defensively sound. If we can do that and cause them a few issues with our attack then I think we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”
Cookstown II kick off the action at Steelweld Park on Saturday with a JL1 clash with Banbridge III at 1pm.
Fresh off their win in the Junior One League Cup final, the Reds will be looking to continue their excellent start to the season.
Cookstown III are home to North Down III at 2.30pm and a win will keep the heat on NI Civil Service II who currently top JL2.
Cookstown IV have the 4pm slot at Steelweld Park and face a big match against Mossley IV.
The two teams may currently occupy different ends of the table, but Michael Miller’s men will know that the Gladesmen never give the Reds an easy game.

FIXTURES
Cookstown II v Banbridge III (1pm)
Cookstown III v North Down III (2.30pm)
Raphoe v Cookstown (2.30pm)
Cookstown IV v Mossley IV (4pm)