Boys reach the Burney Cup Semi-Finals
posted 2 march 2010

Cookstown High School 1 st XI   5-1   Royal & Prior

After defeating Friends the boys came up against Royal & Prior in the quarter final of the Burney Cup. Although Cookstown were heavy favourites the team were reminded of the final two years ago when an inferior Royal & Prior side almost defeated the all conquering Cookstown team.

From the beginning the attitude was spot on with the boys trying to play short sharp passing hockey. However, the final pass or shot was very disappointing in the early stages. Montgomery opened the scoring with a wonder goal. Rollins crashed a ball into the D where Montgomery was on hand to deflect the ball into the top corner. Cookstown then doubled the scoring when the ball fell to Crawford at the back post to finish well. Just before the half Sloan made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after the ball hit a foot on the way into the goals.

At half time the team were encouraged to keep up the short passing hockey that was ripping the opposition apart. However, the boys didn’t take this on board and dribbled far too much. It showed as Cookstown struggled to create any chances. Sloan scored a drag flick to make it 4-0 before Montgomery made it 5 with his second of the game. Royal & Prior got a goal back when, after a turnover in the middle of the pitch, the Cookstown defence failed to mark their players and one of the unmarked players was on hand to finish well. However, it just goes to show how much the team have improved as they won convincingly despite their poor performance.

Now the boys are into the semi-finals which will be played at Lisnagarvey on Wednesday 10 th March and all support would be welcomed. The team would like to thank Mr. Cuddy for umpiring and Mr. Haycock for coaching.

Squad: Stewart, Rollins, Crooks, Atkinson, McAllen, Johnston, Sloan (captain), Millar, Montgomery, Hutchinson, Crawford, Watt, Morrow, R. Johnston.