Football: Victory for Cookstown Celtic in Kennedy Cup

Cookstown Celtic got their season under way at Beechway on Saturday when they entertained Carnbane league winners Windmill Stars in the Gerald Kennedy Cup.
Cookstown Celtic enjoyed a 3-1 win at the weekendCookstown Celtic enjoyed a 3-1 win at the weekend
Cookstown Celtic enjoyed a 3-1 win at the weekend

Despite missing a number of key players Cookstown registered an impressive 3-1 victory against a strong Windmill side.

Celtic began the came brightly and went close from a fine effort from Loughran but the visitors keeper made a fine save to tip the ball over the bar.

Celtic continued to dominate proceedings and were unlucky not to take the lead when a fine run by McGahan found him in on goal but he couldnt apply the finish. Celtic took the lead after the half hour mark when a fine cross from the left was turned into the net by a visiting defender.

This sparked the visitors into life as they came into the game more as the half came on but they couldn’t find a way past the home defence before the half time whistle.

The visitors started the second half much better and had a few long range efforts but these were comfortably saved by O’Neill in the Celtic goal.

Celtic doubled their advantage midway through the half when a fine cross by McGuckin was met by McGahan, who thumped a header past the hapless Windmill keeper.

The visitors then began to up the ante but they found Hanna and Hughes at the heart of the Celtic defence in top form as they huffed and puffed but still couldnt register on the score sheet.

It was Celtic who got the next goal with ten minutes remaining when good pressure from Loughran saw him rob the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net.

The visitors registered a consolation strike with minutes remaining as Celtic now progress to the quarter finals.

This Tuesday Cookstown Celtic will travel to take on Silverwood Utd in the quarter finals of the Gerald Kennedy Cup with a 7pm kick off.

On Saturday 9th August, Cookstown Celtic will travel to take on Strathroy Harps in a friendly with a 2pm kick off.

Saturday 16th August will also see Cookstown Celtic on their travels to take on Banbridge AFC in the Marshall Cup. A bus will be leaving Mulligans Bar at 12.15pm, any supporters wishing to travel contact any club member.

Training will continue on Thursday night 7-8pm at MUSA.

Cookstown Celtic will be running a Last Man Standing competition, coinciding with the beginning of the new Premier League season on 16th August. Entry fee is £10. For more information contact any club member.