Cookstown embark on Ulster return

By Michael McMullan

AFTER turning the corner in mid-season, Cookstown have the Intermediate title tucked away and travel to Down champions Saul on Sunday.

Four consecutive league defeats looked like knocking the stuffing out of their title aspirations before a new management duo of Brian O’Neill and Marty Kelly came in six weeks ahead of the championship.

After a narrow win over Ardboe, Cookstown saw off Aghyaran and league leaders Edendork to set up a final with Coalisland.

The concession of three goals in 11 first-half minutes looked like scuppering their title bid before spirited comeback with Player of the Match Laura McGillion at its centre.

“It was early enough, I suppose and we had plenty of time to claw it back,” McGillion said of their comeback.

“The girls did exactly that. I think in any other game if that happens, the game is gone.

“The girls have showed so much heart this year and there are a few of us auld dolls with our last shot at it.

“We literally threw everything at it but the kitchen sink. And thankfully we got the reward at the end.”

While there is also the typical bonus element to a provincial series, McGillion is the only player from the Fr Rocks’ last campaign 16 years ago. There is the realism that it doesn’t come around every year.

“I think if anything in the (Tyrone) championship showed us that we’re more than capable and we were actually better than we thought we were,” McGillion said of the mood.

There won’t be a fear of Ulster. There is the mix of confidence and the realism of coming up against a fellow county champion.

Like all their games to date, Cookstown’s mantra will be centred at throwing everything at their opponents and seeing where it steers them.

O’Neill and Kelly have been getting the best of out of their side. McGillion can’t exactly put her finger on what changed. But it has.

They’ve key players back from injury. There is the experienced heads they may not have always had and there is the influx of young player with four minors starting on the team. There is also fresh legs coming in to add to the overall package.

“They’re getting the best out of the players,” McGillion said of the management.

“Everybody just wants to play football. I don’t really know how to describe it to be absolutely honest but they’ve just brought so much positivity with them.”

They have the scoring prowess of Amy Sheehy at one end with Emma Heaney a tough nut to crack in defence.

“They (minor players) are not just starting, but they are actually making a big impact,” McGillion adds.

Now their season heads into the next phase, a trip to Saul. The excitement of winning a championship can allow the mind to wander how far a season can extend to. There has to ambition but next step is the only one that matters. Sunday dictates where Cookstown can get to.

“That’s what we are focused on now,” McGillion said. “People can be talking about ‘imagine this’ or ‘imagine that’.

“As far as we are concerned, the only team in our eyes are Saul.”

Elsewhere this weekend at intermediate level, Monaghan’s Carrickmacross host Fermanagh outfit Tempo, Dungloe will have home advantage in Donegal against Cavan’s Mullahoran and Derry side Magherafelt welcome St Gall’s of Belfast.

TIME FOR BATTLE…Laura McGillion in action in Cookstown’s semi-final win over Edendork. Picture: Michael Cullen