Armagh Seconds Roast Cooke
The seconds travelled to play Cooke at Shaws Bridge in the conference league on Saturday off the back of a good win against Dromore in their previous game.

With several changes to the side, Armagh comfortably defeated Cooke 42-24 in an entertaining game which ebbed and flowed throughout.

Armagh spent the first 10 minutes in defence around their 22 area as Cooke came out of the blocks quickly however good defence kept the line intact. Turnover ball in midfield on 14 minutes by John Faloon led to a charge up field and with Kyle Faloon and Luke Crozier moving the ball right, Ryan O’Neil was able to beat his marker to touch down at the posts. Kyle added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Cooke were playing with high tempo themselves and after more attacking play they levelled the game with a converted try.

On 32 minutes excellent handling by the Armagh backline with Shane McKeever, Shay O’Brien and Michael Ross prominent led to John Clarke forcing his way over the try line close to the posts, 14-7 to Armagh.

Just before half time Cooke scored another converted try at the posts to tie the game at 14-14. With the breeze and slope in their favour Armagh kicked off and after stealing a Cooke lineout through Steven Morton, Clarke and Ollie Millar made the hard yards before Kyle Faloon moved quick ball left with Cooke earning
a lineout 10 metres from their line.

With Josh Kennedy in imperious line out form throughout, the ball was turned over for John Faloon to twist
and turn his way over midway out.

With kyle in good kicking form, the conversion was added to bring the score to 21-14. Jack Treanor entered
the fray to make his seconds debut for Michael Hoey and Ryan Morton replaced Steven Morton. On 56 minutes Cooke took play into Armagh territory however Millar turned over the ball taking off downfield and
offloading to Kyle Faloon.

He found himself in open space midfield and scorched off to touch down at the posts for another converted try, 28-14.

Cooke were still competing all over the park determined to add to their tally and after O’Brien had tracked back to make a try saving tackle in Armagh’s 22, Cooke were unfortunate to gift Crozier an intercept try for
another converted try at the posts.

Cooke did add an unconverted try shortly after on 73 minutes. Armagh retaliated when Ryan Morton made a big tackle centre field with the ball knocked loose for Ryan O’Neil to snap up and show a clean pair of heels to touch down at the posts for his second try of the day.

Cooke had the last say on the blow with an unconverted try of their own to bring the final score to Armagh 42, Cooke 24.