Q Radio Sport
Cookstown will have to do it all again this weekend if they are to fight their way back into the EY Hockey League next season.
After defeating Leinster champions Corinthians, the Reds lost out on day two of the playoffs to old rivals Annadale by 3-1. They go up in the automatic promotion place, replacing Instonians.
Cookstown must now face ninth place finishers UCD in a repeat of last season's promotion-relegation playoff final at Three Rock Rovers at noon.
"We are obviously disappointed in our performance on Sunday," said Cookstown captain Greg Allen. "We started well and put them under a lot of pressure but couldn't find a finish early on.
"We didn't play our best hockey and it was clear to see that the lads had been involved in a tough 70 minutes the day before against Corinthians.
"We will gather ourselves and get ready to go again next week against UCD when we will hopefully get the job done."
On Saturday, Cookstown had completely dominated the Leinster winners, but could find no way past Corinthians' goalkeeper Ross Murray who made a string of top class saves.
Cookstown and Annadale through to EY playoff final #irishhockey https://t.co/C3enceBQi0 pic.twitter.com/Q2wsOucVWG
— The Hook (@hookhockey) April 22, 2017
A nervy second half finally saw Mark Crooks force the ball over the line after another Murray save for a 1-0 win. Tobi Deppermann and Stuart Smyth were in fine form for the Ulstermen throughout.
That victory set up Cookstown's fourth meeting with Annadale this season after the Carryduff team saw off Munster champions Bandon in the other semi-final by 5-0.
While Cookstown had no game since the middle of March, Annadale were battle-hardened by the qualifier process the weekend before.
Cookstown started the second half well and were rewarded early when Ryan Millar went one-on-one, rounding Moore to finish from a tight angle.
The game seemed to be in the balance until Annadale's Oli Brown was picked out at the back post, turning in a pinpoint cross from the left hand side.
Dale sat back thereafter and Cookstown struggled to break down their deep-lying defence for the remainder of the game.