Cookstown sporting heroes get '˜pat on back'

Cookstown's sporting heroes have been given a '˜pat on the back' for their summer successes by local Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend.

Mrs Overend said: “I want to pass on my sincere congratulations to our sporting heroes after an incredible summer of success on the world stage.

“Cookstown’s David Ames and Ian Sloan may have not have come home from Rio with a medal, but the people of Mid Ulster are very proud of their achievements in being selected to represent Team GB in the Olympic hockey competition,” she said.

“David and Ian featured prominently at the Games, and whilst they will no doubt be disappointed that the men’s hockey team could not add to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland medal haul, they can be proud of their performances on the biggest stage of all.

“I also want to congratulate their fellow Cookstown men Stuart Dallas and Aaron Hughes, as well as Donaghmore’s Niall McGinn on representing Northern Ireland with such distinction at Euro 2016 in France. This is something I missed out on mentioning at the time, as I was off work for personal health reasons.

“Aaron finished the tournament back in the team as Northern Ireland’s most capped outfield player, Stuart played in every game, whilst Niall’s goal clinched the historic win over Ukraine.”

She said they each helped to place Mid Ulster well and truly on the sporting map this summer.