Historic triumph for Cookstown

There was well deserved jubilation for Cookstown Fr Rocks as they became the first side to win two All Ireland Intermediate Club titles with a comfortable win over Kerry champions Finuge on Saturday night, writes Seamus Donnelly.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Feb 2013, 16:18 BST

John McKeever’s side played much of the second half with a numerical advantage following the send off of Finuge midfielder Maurice Corridan and their centre half back Pat Corridan and it was an advantage the Fr Rocks made tell.

The defining point in the game came midway through the second half when Owen Mulligan and the recently returned Raymond Mulgrew combined to allow teenager James McGahan to fire low into the Davin End goals.

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McGahan’s score gave Cookstown breathing space for the first time in the game and they exploited the expanses of Croke Park brilliantly to stretch the 13 man Kerry champions to breaking point.

Fr Rock’s corner forward John Gilmore also got a point and he was delighted to have won his second All Ireland with his club.

“The last time I wasn’t involved, I only came on the last few minutes. Tonight playing the whole game was just unbelievable. It’s been a great year. I just can’t believe we’ve won it.”

Gilmore also paid tribute to his side’s character.

“We got a scare against Eskra and even after that we’ve had a couple of extra times. We just dug it out every time. There’s great fight in this team. You can’t explain what it means to be a part of it.

READ THE FULL REPORT IN THIS TUESDAY’S TYRONE TIMES