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Cookstown Minors Through To Championship Final
Friday 09.08.2024
Cookstown 5-7 1-9 Errigal Ciaran
An outstanding second half performance from Cookstown saw them qualify for a second successive minor final. Four second half goals proved decisive for the Fr Rocks over a plucky Errigal side, who fought to the end.
Cookstown elected to play against the elements in the first half, Errigal almost had the perfect start with Sean Og Quinn producing an excellent save to deny Se McDermott in the opening attack, tipping his shot over the bar. Cookstown settled to the task and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening quarter. In the 6th minute, Lorcan McMurray controlled Sean Og Quinn’s long kick out before releasing Luke Neeson to calmly slot home after a 30 metre run. Points from Eoin Long and Charlie McElkearney sandwiched a second McDermott effort, as the goal separated the side by the 15 minute mark . A Karol Wawrynkiewicz point extended the lead to four before a strong finish from Errigal saw them rattle off a trio of points to reduce the lead to the minimum at the short whistle. Just before the interval Cookstown were reduced to fourteen following Charlie Hawker’s black card.
Errigal used their numerical advantage to secure an early lead with scores from Charlie Maguire and McDermott. A brace of Eoin Long scores wrestled back the lead as the game entered its final quarter. Cookstown were once again in the ascendancy and secured the victory when Jack McElhone fired to the net in the 50th minute, Minutes later Matthew McCrellis was fouled and Luke Neeson gave Jude Curran no chance from the spot. Curran was in action again in the next attack, doing well to save the initial shot the rebound fell to Long to slam home.
Errigal were now going for broke. Curran pushed up the field but was caught miles from goal as McCrellis had the easiest of finishes following Wawrynkiewicz’s long delivery. Deep into injury time Errigal did secure a consolation goal when Jude Curran forced the ball into the Cookstown need following a floated delivery. This was the final act, as All Ireland final referee Sean Hurson brought the contest to an end, sending Cookstown through to the decider on Saturday 24th August.
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