Cookstown's title hopes take setback at Clann

Clann I-06

Cookstown I-06

By Geoff Gillis

COOKSTOWN'S league title aspirations were dealt a slight setback on Saturday evening, when they dropped a point on their travels to Clann Na Gael.

Fielding without their respective County contingents, the Fr Rock's were optimistic of maintaining their share of the Divisional Leadership with Greencastle, but in the end they were grateful for a last minute Donal Casey point, as they salvaged a point from a disappointing contest.

The game was played in atrocious conditions with a driving wind and rain making life awkward for all concerned and, in the final analysis, a draw was probably the fairest outcome between two teams that gave it their all.

The result means Cookstown have surrendered control of the table to Greencastle and, as such it has insured a very interesting conclusion to the Intermediate League title race.

Clann Na Gael enjoyed wind advantage first and, they immediately set out their stall as they out Cookstown on the back foot.

They were given a glorious opportunity to press home their encouraging opening in the second minute, when referee Michael McCann awarded a penalty following an innocuous enough looking challenge on Rory Devine.

Barry McGill was entrusted with the spot kick, but Cookstown keeper Martin Rea was equal to the task and, produced a stunning save before the Clansmen opened the scoring through midfielder Brendan Conway.

Cookstown settled to their task and in the 7th minute, they struck for a goal of their own, when Jason Quinn teed up Brian Mulligan for a quality finish past home keeper Conor McAleer. Clann Na Gael responded with points from Ryan McGill and Adrian Ball to leave the score reading 1-0 to 0-3 before corner forward Christopher Eastwood converted a free to nudge the Fr Rock's ahead.

Both teams were matching each other blow for blow with Peter Devine and Gary O'Neill (from a free) giving the Gaels the lead, but in the run up to half time Cookstown registered the score of the game, when Brian O'Neill supplied a point to augment a move started deep in defence, as the sides greeted the interval whistle locked on a 1-2 to 0-5 score line.

Donal Casey gave Cookstown the lead on the restart and, with the wind at their backs the visitors looked set to take control. Clann Na Gael though held other ideas and in the 34th minute, a superb counter-attacking move saw Barry McGill pounce for a goal against the run of play, when he guided home after Adrian Ball's initial effort fell short.

The Clansmen failed to build on that boost as Cookstown through the efforts of Donal Casey, Conor Mullan and Ryan Pickering continued to force the issue.

Points from Quinn and Barry Mulligan brought them back on level par at 1-5 apiece, while the introduction of Raymond Mulgrew gave them an extra attacking edge.

However, when Sean O'Kane edged the hosts in front an upset looked to be on the cards before Casey held his nerve to rescue a point, which on the balance of play was the least that Chris Lawn's men deserved.