Cookstown footballer heads to USA

LOCAL youth footballer Shannon Crooks has departed for the United States of America to take up a soccer scholarhsip with a high profile college in Georgia.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Aug 2012, 16:23 BST

Former Cookstown Youth and Dungannon Youth player Shannon Crooks took up an offer of a soccer scholarship from Emmanuel College,

The college take part in the NAIA, Georgia, Alabama and Carolina Conference.

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Shannon joined a soccer scholarship company in April this year and set about attempting to earn a scholarship for 2013. Much to his surprise, the manager of the Emmanuel College side was interested in signing Shannon and in the middle of July he received his offer from the college.

In addition to his soccer scholarship, Shannon will also study a four year Bachelors Degree in Health and Physical Education.

Pre-season for the College commenced on the 30th July and they follow an intensive programme which includes training every day and playing two games a week.

Former Cookstown High School pupil Shannon has been involved in football since U10 with Cookstown Youth. At Under 16 level he made the switch to Dungannon Swifts. In addition he has represented Tyrone three times at the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, winning Tyrone

Player of the Tournament in his first ever tournament.