Cookstown

Croke Park awaits!

A stunning display of attacking football saw Fr Rocks secure their place in the history books at a foggy Pearse Park, Longford on Sunday.

The prize at stake was an All Ireland Final and a Croke Park appearance and it was the Rocks who began at breakneck pace.

Some excellent link up play saw Christopher Eastwood open the scoring with just twenty seconds on the clock. Cookstown would not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game.

The Galway champions did equalise in the tenth minute but Owen Mulligan began to influence the game thereafter. Indeed three breathtaking Mulligan points from play in a devastating five minute period left the Rocks in control.

Naomh Anna hit back with two pointed frees, before a brilliant solo run from Barry Mulligan opened the tribesmen defence and he split the posts from twenty yards.

A brilliant long range point from Christopher Eastwood extended the lead further and two further scores from Conor Mullan and Eastwood left the Rocks in control at half time on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-4.

Fr Rocks began the second half in determined mood and after five minutes the marauding Conor Mullan fired over another superb effort from play.

Fr Rocks went on to dominate the next fifteen minutes and a great goal from Barry Mulligan was followed by points from Owen Mulligan and Conor Mullan.

With just ten minutes remaining on the clock it appeared that Fr Rocks had ended the contest with a nine point lead and complete dominance of possession.

However the Galway men began to fight back and a goal with eight minutes to go brought them right back into the contest, three further points from frees left just a goal between the teams. Cookstown however displayed great resilience in defence and the introduction of John Gilmore as a substitute offered Fr Rocks more impetus in attack.

Indeed it was Gilmore who was to have the final say, when he collected a high ball and left his marker in his wake as he crashed home a priceless goal.

This was a simply awesome team performance from the Rocks, every player gave their all, there were superb individual performances all over the pitch, but it was the collective team ethos that ensured that Fr Rocks would book a date at head quarters on Valentines Day.

Well done to everyone involved in what was a great day for the club.

M Rea, Philip Kelly, S Monaghan, P McGurk, S McGarrity, B Hughes, C O’Hare, G Fitzpatrick, C Mullan (0-3), R Mulgrew, Barry Mulligan (1-1), Brian Mulligan, C Eastwood (0-3), O Mulligan (0-4), M Murray. Subs: Brian Kelly, B O’Neill, J Gilmore (1-0), J Quinn.

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Members, players, supporters and Gaels throughout the world will now be able to catch up with club affairs with the click of a button. The website offers a range of features including latest club news, fixtures, results as well as an insight into club history and a club message board. Why not log on to the new site and catch up with all the goings on at the club.

Members can also register details on the new site and will soon be able to receive text messages and e-mails about club affairs. The club would like to encourage all members to register their contact details on the new site.

If anyone would like to add any content to the website, such as old photographs to the club memorabilia section, then please forward them to the club P.R.O at [email protected].

Club Membership

Club membership is now due and there will be an opportunity to pay adult membership on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Adult membership for the year is 35 and 5 for children.

Club Quiz Night

Fr Rocks Quiz night will take place on Thursday 4 February in the Greenvale Hotel at 8:30pm. Tickets are on sale now priced at 5 and admission is also available on the night by paying at the door.

Ladies Club AGM

The Ladies AGM will take place on Sunday 31 January at 3pm at Paddy Cullen Park.

Thanks

The club would like to thank all supporters who travelled in great numbers to Longford on Sunday. We would also like to thank St Marys Killeeshil for their words of support in their club notes.

Press Day

The club will be holding a press day on Sunday 31 January. Members of the press will have the opportunity to meet with players and management regarding the upcoming All Ireland Final.

Underage Registration Evening

An Underage Registration evening will take place on Tuesday 9 February at 7:30pm in the clubrooms. This evening will be for all under 8s and 10s. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost of membership is 5 for children and 2:50 for a second child in a family.

Under 14 Training

Training for all members of the under 14 squad will begin on Wednesday 27 January at MUSA all players should be there for 6:45pm and training will end at 8pm.

Under 16 Meeting

Anyone interested in playing for the Fr Rocks under 16 squad this year, should attend a meeting at the clubrooms on Wednesday 3 February.

Condolences

The club would like to express sympathy to Martin/Hill family on their recent bereavement.