TYRONE IFC: Cookstown recover to see off Brackaville

Cookstown 1-18, Brackaville 1-11
PENALTY . . .Cookstown's Owen Mulligan.PENALTY . . .Cookstown's Owen Mulligan.
PENALTY . . .Cookstown's Owen Mulligan.

Cookstown made it into the last eight of the Intermediate Championship when they recovered from a slow start to overcome a gallant Brackaville side at Pomeroy on Saturday.

Barry Potter and Dale McSorley traded early points before a brilliant free off the ground from Martin Gervin put Brackaville in front. Centre half back Stiofan Gervin got forward to leave two between the sides as underdogs Brackaville made a confident start.

They missed chances though to increase their lead and Cookstown fought back with points from Christopher Eastwood and Owen Mulligan to level. Former Tyrone star Mulligan then rolled back the years with an outstanding effort with Eastwood on target again as well. McSorley and Joe Rafferty kept Brackaville in touch and at the break, the Father Rocks held a slender 0-8 to 0-6 advantage.

Brackaville opened their second half account via Gary Ferguson but by that stage Cookstown had a firm grip on proceedings with points from Ryan Pickering, Martin Murray, Mulligan, James McGahan and substitute John Gilmore. Potter and Gilmore added to Cookstown’s lead and while McSorley replied with a brace for the Roes it was a goal that they badly needed.

A goal did come in the 23rd minute but it went to Cookstown. Gilmore was fouled and he took the penalty himself but it was saved although keeper Stephen O’Neill fouled Gilmore from the rebound. Another spot kick and this time Mulligan confidently dispatched the ball. Brackaville got a penalty of their own four minutes from time which McSorley converted but that only served to put a better look on the scoreboard.

Cookstown scorers – Owen Mulligan 1-4, John Gilmore 0-4, Barry Potter 0-3, Christopher Eastwood 0-3, Ryan Pickering 0-1, Martin Murray 0-1, Eoin Coyle 0-1, James McGahan 0-1.

Brackaville scorers – Dale McSorley 1-4, Gary Ferguson 0-2, Shea Fee 0-2, Stiofan Gervin 0-1, Martin Gervin 0-1, Joe Rafferty 0-1.

Referee – Kieran Eannetta, Omagh