Soccer Success for Cookstown High School
posted 11 Jan 2008

Having seen the hockey players secure two trophies already this year, it was the turn of the High School football teams to bring home more silverware to Coolnafranky this week.

On Tuesday, the Under 14 team, managed by Mr Colin Hogg, defeated St Puis X in the play-off for the Coleraine and District League title. In a close encounter, the High School ran out winners, defeating the Magherafelt side 3-1 with the goals being scored by S Hogshaw and S Forrest, who scored twice. This was the third consecutive year that the captain, S Crooks has lifted the trophy, highlighting Cookstown’s dominance at this age group.

The next day it was the turn of Mr Richard Marsh’s Under 12 team who faced a strong side from St Mary’s, Limavady in their final play off, in what proved to be a thrilling encounter. Given that Cookstown suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of their opponents earlier in the season, they started the match as underdogs but took a deserved lead before half time. Tony Johnston deftly lobbed the keeper after running on to a super pass from man of the match, B Simpson. Midway through the second half Cookstown extended their lead when R Donaldson swept the ball home from close range after good inter-play on the right between Johnston and J Watson. St Mary’s pulled a goal back before G Hull reinstated the High School’s two goal cushion firing home from the penalty spot. In a tense finale Limavady also converted a spot kick with only minutes left, but Cookstown held on to their nerve and their lead, winning 3-2 and bringing home a second cup to the school in as many days .