On 15 May Cookstown RFC held its general meeting in the Glenavon House Hotel. This year’s event was a much more cheerful affair as the club looked back on a successful season both on and off the pitch.
In his outgoing speech, team captain Ryan Eastwood thanked the players for their commitment throughout the year. Ryan noted the importance of this dedication which allowed the boys to play a tactical game this year and devise moves which ultimately allowed Cookstown RFC to play a much higher standard of rugby than many of their opponents. The culmination of this effort saw the team secure a league title and with it promotion, and for the first time ever, reach the Ravenhill Cup Final.
Outgoing Club President Mark Brown thanked the lads and committee of Helen Hutchinson and Ivan Black for their continued dedication to the matters off the field throughout the year. A special thank you was given to the many businesses around Cookstown who sponsored the team.
In terms of the main outcomes of the AGM, Owen Mallon was voted in as Captain and Darral Donaghy was voted as Vice Captain. Gavin Stinson made his return to Club President and Liam Currie retained the PRO position.
Incoming captain Owen Mallon set out his plans for the year ahead and challenged the boys not rest on the laurels of last season but surpass these by adding to the club’s trophy cabinet. Owen commented: ‘the club will play in a higher standard league; the competition will be of a higher standard therefore we have to reach a new standard and this can only be done through dedication to training’.
Annual Club Dinner
On Saturday 9 June Cookstown RFC held its eagerly awaited club dinner in the Glenavon House Hotel. The boys were served up a delicious meal by the Glenavon Hotel and the awards were a plenty. Former team captain Ryan Eastwood collected top try scorer, Ciaran McKenna was awarded best newcomer, another newcomer Denver Nugent was awarded player of the year and Liam Currie was awarded Clubman of the year and Player’s Player of the Year. Local Photographer Daron Patterson was given a special appreciation award for his excellent coverage of the team throughout the year.
Following the meal the lads undertook and an arduous bus trip up to Omagh for an event filled night out.
Cookstown RFC looks to build for the future
Following promotion, Cookstown RFC will now play in Section 6 of the Ulster Junior League for the 2012/13 season. The boys will compete in the Foster Cup. Unfortunately the rules of the league are such that competing teams will not be able to use substitutions. This leaves Cookstown RFC is a peculiar position as the squad comprises 24 players.
However in order to accommodate this rule change and ensure there is a game for everyone, Cookstown RFC hopes to start a 2nd XV team. Therefore we would welcome anyone who has an interest in playing rugby to the club. We would be happy to hear from players in the twilight of their career seeking to give it another lash, players looking for a few years’ experience before moving up a standard or anyone who are new to the game. All standard will be accommodated.
