"I thought we started very nervously," Haycock told the MAIL, "We seemed to let the occasion get to us early on and then Bann scored.

"At half-time I just told they players to relax and put into practice what we had gone over so many times in training.

"I think you saw the real Cookstown in the second half.

"I'm so proud of the whole squad. It's great to finally be able to say we're league champions."

Club Chairman Stephen Hamilton was equally as delighted with the championship win. Speaking to the MAIL, Hamilton said:
"Cookstown graduated to the top flight of Ulster hockey in 1975 and won their first premier league title in 1983. As a player at the time I naively thought that it would simply be a matter of time before we won it again. I was right-but it took a torturous 25 years!

"We have taken on the best of the rest - and shown that there is life west of the Bann.

"The immense talent and hard work by all the players has been matched by the shrewd tactical awareness and motivational skills of the coaching staff. I am proud of their achievement-but most of all I am proud of them, each and every one."

Ulster Unionist Councellor Trevor Wilson echoed those sentiments.
"I would like to congratulate Cookstown hockey Club on their tremendous achievement. This has been a fantastic year for hockey in Cookstown, both at senior level and at schools level.

"The future of hockey in Cookstown looks bright and it's now imperitive that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure help with the funding for the proposed waterbased pitch so that future players have the facilities to one day match the achievements of this year."

First XI player and club Vice-Chairman Stephen Cuddy commented:
"It was a fantastic achievement for all involved to win the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
"Coaches Michael Haycock and Geoff Hamilton along with goalkeeping coach Brian Hall have put a lot of hard work into over sixty training sessions.

The players have illustrated fantastic commitment all year; all the boys feel it is a privilege to pull on the red shirt.

"Behind the scenes the lads have to thank the club committee and sponsors Millar, Shearer and Black for their constant support and words of encouragement throughout the year. We pride ourselves with having the best support in the country, this isn't a personal achievement by the firsts it is an achievement by all involved with our family club. "