Cookstown Olympic triumph over RBL

Cookstown RBL's Aaron McParland battles for the ball with a Cookstown Olympic defender during Saturday's end to end league clash at MUSA.INMM4214-340

Both sides were sizing each other up in the initial exchanges of this match and Olympic had the first clear chance after 10 minutes as a Matty Hughes snap shot was well saved. Six minutes later however Olympic did take the lead when Donovan McGuckin put a ball over the top for Matty Hughes to run on to before he calmly chipped the advancing keeper.

On 21 minutes Olympic saw Dean Campbell put Mark Meenan away on the right and his cross was met by Mickey O’Hare whose shot was saved by the RBL keeper, then after 34 minutes Matty Hughes beat the offside trap and went one-on-one but his shot was saved. RBL then had an opportunity which came off the post after which Tiarnan Brennan threaded a great ball through after 41 minutes to Ned Johnston and his turn shot also came off the post. At this stage Olympic then had a player sent off before the first half closed.

The second half saw Olympic trying to keep things tight with the 10 men and they had a chance after 55 minutes from a Darren McCabe free kick that Rambo McVey headed over the bar. Olympic then failed to close down Philly McGarvey just outside the box and he scored to draw the team’s level after 57 minutes.

The Olympic subs then were introduced and after 61 minutes a Kevin Kelly direct free kick from 25 yards totally deceived the RBL keeper for a two one lead. RBL then also produced some subs but it was Olympic who enjoyed the better chances with the best after 84 minutes as Mark Meenan got a ball over the top for Ned Johnston against the keeper but his shot went just wide. This first win of the season lifted Olympic off the bottom of the league and has given the squad a boost for the remainder of the matches.

Cookstown Olympic: J O’Neill, D McGuckin, D McCabe, M O’Hare, M Meenan, L Mullan, D Campbell, M Hughes, T Brennan, T Keenan, and N Johnston. Subs K Kelly, R Bloomer and R McVey.

This Saturday Olympic will be at home to Carnmoney FC in the league with a 2pm kick off at Beechway.

Training will continue at 7.00pm on Thursday on the synthetic pitch at MUSA.

The Lucky 4 Lottery numbers for Saturday 11th October were 1, 8, 14 and 16. There were no winners who matched four numbers for the £425 jackpot or 3 numbers. The jackpot will now be £450 for next week’s draw and tickets are available from any committee or team member.