This clash against league leaders Banbridge was bouted as the 'match of the season' at the half way point.

The outcome would see the title pretenders go top for almost three months - and thankfully for the home support who braved the blustery weather at Coolnafranky, that's where they now see the town.

The home team got off to a fast and furious start, with battles all over the field, and it was Keith Black who would settle the nerves of the home team by sweeping in from a neat move down the right.

Within minutes the lead would be doubled, only after Andy Barbour had a good chance cleared off the line by Junior Burns with the goal at his mercy. It was the young David Ames who followed up and again sent the home fans into raptures.

Following this spell, Banbridge got to grips with the game with a few sporatic attempts on goal. Hughes twice denied the Bann attack before McCabe blasted Bann's only corner of the game wide of the left post. This would be Bann's last effort in the Cookstown circle.

Wave after wave of Cookstown attacks gradually took their toll on the travelling defence. Barbour again couldn't convert after intercepting a loose ball from Scott McCandless. Soon after, Cookstown were awarded their first penalty corner.

The body of McCandless would see another given from Gareth Cuddy's first effort as the calls for a stroke were turned away from umpire Ewart. But with goal-keeper Lennox stranded, Cuddy repeated the dose, this time off the body of McCandless and into the net.

With continuous attacks into the Bann circle the score would remain 3:0 at the break.

Cover at the break was essential as the rain began to rage down. As the second half began the home side adjusted better to the conditions and continued to test Lennox in nets.

It was from one of these attacks that would see goal-keeper Lennox sent to the bin for a somewhat clumsy tackle outside the circle. From the subsequent penalty corner Gareth Cuddy's effort rattled the upright and was cleared from danger.

It was Cookstown who would see the next card, Thomas Hutchinson was given his marching orders for what could only be described as some 'tricky feet' to break down play during one of Bann's attacks.
With the conditions not really improving, and the travelling fans losing interest, Cookstown squandered a number of good chances.

Steen fired well wide when the goal loomed and David Ames probably should have done better when he skillfully found his way into a great positon on the right.

Cookstown made it four in the 51st minute, a variation found its way through the legs of Lennox for Andrew Barbour to tap in from close range. This goal totally deflated the Bann team and really didn't have too many answers by this stage.

The game finished 4:0 to the home team. This was a great way to bounce-back from the Kirk cup defeat six days previously.

The league programme now breaks off until the last weekend in February when Kilkeel are the visitor to the Franky. Before then, the redarmy head south for a 4th round tie against Dublin YMCA in the Irish Senior Cup.

Team: I Hughes, I Hutchinson (c), G Irwin, E Butler, C Donaldson, I Steen, T Hutchinson, P Barbour, D Ames, A Barbour, K Black, G Cuddy, D Best, J McMeekin, S Cuddy.