Olympic end season in mid-table

Ballyclare Reserves 7

Cookstown Olympic played their last match of the season last Tuesday night, against Ballyclare Comrades Reserves in a match that was due to take place on Saturday.

To fulfill the fixture Olympic had to field a weakened team with a number of regulars unable to play due to other commitments and only played the match at the league’s request.

Olympic opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Ryan Devlin got the ball to Liam Hoy on the left wing and he beat two men before planting a shot across the keeper.

Ballyclare then had a shot blocked on the line by Mark Meenan while an offside goal got them level after 18 minutes.

A second goal on 30 minutes then put Ballyclare in front and this lead was extended after a penalty on 36 minutes and a further strike on 40 minutes for a four one lead.

Olympic then went close on 44 minutes as Ryan O’Neill got Liam Hoy through the middle but his 20 yard volley came off the post.

In the second half Ballyclare extended their lead to five on 50 minutes while Liam Hoy Hoy hit another rasper of a shot on 55 minutes that the keeper saved.

Goal number six came after 60 minutes followed by another Ballyclare penalty on 70 minutes with Olympic scoring their second after 80 minutes from a Ryan Devlin penalty.

There was still time for a Mark Meenan volley after 85 minutes to be saved before the official blew full time.

Olympic: Ja O’Neill, D McCabe, M Meenan, L Mullan, M O’Hare, L Hoy, M Leek, R Scullion, J O’Neill, R O’Neill and N Johnston.

Cookstown Olympic finished the season in sixth position, comfortably avoiding the relegation places to remain in Division One of the Ballymena league next season.

The club, committee and players would like to say a big thank you to our club sponsor, Moe’s Bar, Cookstown who not only sponsored the team but also provided a new playing strip and tracksuits for the squad.

It is intended to hold the end of season presentation night on Friday 17 May in Moe’s Bar starting at 7.30pm sharp.