Cookstown Celtic sufferpre-season loss to Armagh Celtic, Maghera Strollers up next

Cookstown Celtic started the brighter of the two teams but it was Armagh who took the lead when Cookstown failed to clear a corner and the Armagh attacker fired into the net.

Cookstown responded well and equalised soon after when good play from McOscar and O’Neill freed McCloskey and he finished smartly to bring the scores level at a goal a piece.

Cookstown continued to dominate and could have went ahead from efforts by O’Neill and Hagan but the first half ended all square.

Both teams were quickly out of the blocks but it was Armagh who regained the lead when a deep cross was tapped home at the back post by the Armagh attacker.

Cookstown continued to pass the ball well and got their rewards when Hagan raced through, rounded the keeper and slotted home for the equaliser.

Both sides had chances to get the winner but it was Armagh who struck when a long range effort flew past the Cookstown keeper which turned out to be the last play of the game

Cookstown Celtic will be competing in Mid Ulster Division 3 next season after a successful first season last year in which they gained promotion and also saw them win the John Magee Cup.

Training will now go two nights a week, Tuesdays 8-9pm and Thursdays 7-8pm at MUSA.

Cookstown Celtic would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone interested in trying out for the team to come along to these sessions.

Cookstown Celtic will host Maghera Strollers in a pre-season friendly on Friday night at MUSA with a 7.15pm kick off.