Football: Cookstown U12 claim cup with Hamilton scorcher

However, this did not affect Cookstown U12 as they put in their best performance of the season.

Cookstown started brightly and looked more up for it than Portadown, but you could tell there was nerves on both sides. Cookstown enjoyed a spell of possession early on and came close to getting an opening goal early on when O’Hare hit the post with a brilliant strike.

However, it didn’t take long for Cookstown to get the opening goal. A corner was whipped in and Portadown tried to clear their lines, but the ball dropped to O’Hare and he connected sweetly on the half volley to smash the ball home.

That goal sparked new life into Portadown and it didn’t take long before they got a equaliser when a striker was on hand to tap in a cross.

Cookstown battled hard in what was a end to end game and with a large crowd present supporting them, they pushed for that second. The back line of Purvis, Donnelly, O’Donnell Ryan and Devlin held solid with O’Hare putting in what can only be described as a extraordinary performance in the holding midfield role. This allowed the midfield of Anderson B.Hamilton, Conlin and McAleer to push forward and support the strikers, Forbes and O’Hare.

Both teams came out again all guns blazing in the second half. Neither team could break the other and, with the final whistle approaching, with no sign of a winner coming, both sides knew that it would take something special to win.

That is exactly what happened. Deep into injury time Hamilton picked the ball up just outside the box and sent a thunderous effort looping over the Portadown goalkeeper and give Cookstown the victory.

CYFC are holding a 5-a-side tournament on Saturday 11th June and are inviting any interested teams to register by noon on Friday 10th June. Juniors category: U10/11; Senior category: U12/13/14. Please contact Gerry 0771 325 2129, Andy 0781 881 3078 or Jonny on 0778 995 5080.

CYFC are holding the annual Four Ball Golf day at Killymoon Golf Club this coming Friday. £100 per team of four and tee times can be arranged with Rodney on 0774 657 6969.