Cookstown Youth U14 come back from 4-0 down against Dungannon United

COOKSTOWN YOUTH U12 12
Cookstown U14 in possession against Dungannon.Cookstown U14 in possession against Dungannon.
Cookstown U14 in possession against Dungannon.

CRAIGAVON CITY 0

Cookstown Youth U12 welcomed Craigavon City to MUSA on Saturday in the MUYL shield in conditions that could only be described as perfect as the sun managed to sneak through and the rain had stayed away.

The first half kicked off and Cookstown were in control and dominant from the get-go spreading the ball and immediately going on the attack.

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It wasn’t long before their dominance paid off as Derby managed to find the net in what would become the first in a quickfire hat trick sending Cookstown 3-0 up before Craigavon could even try to find their shape.

Unfortunately Craigavon came up against a side who were in form and only had an eye for goal as Leek headed in from a cross and Larmour drilled a shot that ensured by half time the tie was effectively over as they headed to the break 5-0 in front.

The second half started and although the defence of Whitten, McCallion and Jeffers had to deal with a few attacks from the opposition they did so easily and so continued the dominance that Cookstown had shown in the first half allowing changes to be made and players tried out in differing positions.

Rather than slow the game down it only encouraged the team who were now effectively lining up to have a go. A rout of goals unfolded as Jeffers, Donaghy, Larmour, O’Neill, Murphy and Leek found themselves on the scoresheet with the latter rounding off his hat trick. Not letting the midfielders and strikers steal the limelight Whitten the centre back managed to get forward and with a decent effort found himself on the scoresheet.

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Man of the match as picked by the referee went to David Jeffers who in the first half in defence cleaned up anything that came his way and when the changes were rung and he found himself in midfield totally outclassed anyone that came near with the end result of netting a brace as well.

Although the opposition offered very little Cookstown delivered with style, taking their chances when they came and in convincing fashion managed to book their place in the next round.

Cookstown: Monaghan, Whitten, Jeffers, McCallion, Larmour, Donaghy, Murphy, Derby, Leek, O’Neill

DUNGANNON UNITED 4

COOKSTOWN YOUTH U14 5

Cookstown were back to league action this week and travelled over to Dungannon.

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Dungannon started the stronger of the two teams and raced into a two goals lead within five minutes. Things didn’t get better for the Cookstown side when they conceded a third, shortly followed by a penalty to give Dungannon a 4-0 lead at half time.

However, Cookstown picked themselves up at half time and started to pressurise the Dungannon defence. The comeback started with an E. O’Neill free kick and a second was scored five minutes later with D. Devlin getting on the score sheet.

Cookstown started to use the width of the pitch better in the second half with S. Coleman and A. Traill down the left and D. Banas and E. O’Neill on the right creating numerous chances.

As the ball was played into the box D. Devlin was on hand to score his second of the game to make the score 4-3.

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Cookstown continued to press but the Dungannon keeper made several good saves to keep them in the lead. Cookstown eventually got the equaliser as the ball was played into the box and D. Devlin headed in to complete his hat trick. Cookstown were now in control of the game and continued to push forward to find a winner.

As the ball was played forward, B. Tereso controlled on his chest before lobbing the ball into D. Devlin’s path to score his fourth of the game.

Cookstown: E. Donnelly, D. Banas, J. McElkennon, S. Connelly, P. Monaghan, E. O’Neill, J. Donnelly, D. O’Neill, S. Coleman, A. Traill, D. Devlin, B. Tereso

COOKSTOWN YOUTH U15 4

CARRYDUFF COLTS 4

CYFC won 3-2 on penalties

What a dramatic day in Carryduff! The young sizzlers met SBYL Premier team Carryduff in the fourth round of the NIBFA Cup last Saturday and dramatically won 3-2 in penalties after extra time in an extraordinary match.

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The Colts started the game sharply causing Cookstown problems in defence with their speed and movement. As Cookstown found their feet a fantastic through ball by Tiernan Mackle found Eoin Gallagher who delightfully slotted home the opener on eight minutes.

Less than 10 minutes later a great passing move involving Shane Murphy and Piotr Gabrysiak created Gallagher’s and Cookstown’s second as the sizzlers threatened to run riot. Morgan Moore in goal made a fine save before the Colts were awarded a penalty on 22 minutes to get back into the game.

Then a foot race and last gasp tackle ended up with Cookstown reduced to 10 men, quickly followed by a Colts equaliser on half time. Into the second half Moore pulled off to fantastic saves.

Captain Iarlaith Donaghy went close with a drive before a headed goal from a corner gave the Colts their first lead in the game. Great work by Gallagher and Donaghy in the middle led to a well deserved equaliser from Shane Murphy who powerfully finished from the edge. Into extra time regained the deserved lead when Donaghy powerfully drove home from an acute angle after a great run.

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Then, with two minutes to go, the referee controversially award the Colts a second penalty to make it 4-4. Heroes Moore in goal, McErlean, Wilson and Gallagher all contributed to a 3-2 win on penalties in what was a terrific game of football for different reasons. What a performance lads and thanks to Carryduff for their hospitality after the match.

COOKSTOWN YOUTH U17 4

OLIVER PLUNKETT’S FC 1

Cookstown made short work of title chasing Oliver Plunkett from Belfast as a devastating 20 minute period either side of half time yielded four superb goals.

Missing three regular defenders and a midfielder, Cookstown were playing players out of position and that the nerves showed early on as they were one down after 15 minutes. A long ball wasn’t dealt with and the quick thinking forward caught Young out with a speculative volley.

However, Cookstown were soon level. A great ball by Kelly was chested down by Larmour who shrugged off the attentions of the physical centre back to place into the net.

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If his goal was good, the next was arguably as good, if not better. Shea McConville, in fine form recently, took on a defender before spinning 360 degrees with the ball and placing beyond the goalkeeper. A real superb piece of skill and a goal to be proud of.

Rocks then won the ball in the middle of the pitch before releasing Larmour again whose speed was too much for the defenders. The keeper made himself big but Mark found the chipped finish to make it 3-1 before half time.

The coaches made it clear the boys needed to concentrate from the whistle and they went one more than that; they scored a minute into the second with Arrell’s audacious lob over the keeper from 25 yards. The rest of the game played out fairly comfortably for Cookstown although and Diamond made great saves and tackles respectively to keep the score at 4-1.

Cookstown: Young, Devlin, Wilson, Thom, Watson, Kelly, Rocks, McConville, Hughes, Arrell, Larmour, McMullan, Diamond, Dingley and Keane. Man of the match this week was Shea McConville.