Newmarket’s minor footballers retained their Duhallow league title and in the process completed a championship and league double in the division for the second year in succession. In the final at Kanturk on Sunday, they defeated the home side by 1-11 to 1-7 in a repeat of the championship final.

The home side began brightly putting two points on the scoreboard. Newmarket were slow to settle and depended on their rearguard during the first half with John Scanlon and David Guiney in outstanding form throughout the hour. Nicky Flanagan converted a free after seventeen minutes for Newmarkets first score with Kanturk quick to regain their two point lead. John Lane punched a point for Newmarket but Kanturk again responded with a fourth point. Newmarket finished the half very well with points from Nicky Flanagan and John Ryan tieing the sides for the first time in the game. Newmarket maintained their momentum and driven on by the forward surges of Bart Daly they took the lead for the first time through a Jerry McCarthy point. Nicky Flanagan was again on target to leave Newmarket in front by 0-6 to 0-4 at half time.

Nicky Flanagan increased Newmarket’s lead within two minutes of the restart and despite enjoying a period of dominance they failed to add to their total. Indeed two points from Kanturk left a single point between the sides 0-7 to 0-6 entering the final quarter. John Ryan eventually slotted over a neat point before two fine points from the industrious Brian O’Connell within a minute, set up Newmarket in a prime position leading by 0-10 to 0-6 with eight minutes remaining. Kanturk pointed next but John Lane restored Newmarkets advantage in their next foray forward. Victory was insured when Billy Hourigan and Brian O’Connell set up John Lane, and when in a one on one position against the Kanturk goalkeeper he coolly slotted home to the corner of the net for the decisive goal. Kanturk found the net instantly but the final whistle quickly followed and Newmarket were victorious by 1-11 to 1-7.

Great credit is due to an exceptional bunch of players who have remained unbeaten for two years in Duhallow competition and now progress to the county to defend the title they currently hold. Well done again to team mentors Barry O’Leary, Paul Murphy, Denis Collins, Victor Lane, Con O’Sullivan and Diarmuid O’Brien.

Ian Flanagan
David Guiney		John Scanlon		Brian O’Riordan
Paul Cashman		Bart Daly		Robert Stack
	Kevin O’Sullivan (Capt.)		Conor Cronin
Brian O’Connell (0-2)		John Ryan (0-2)		Nicky Flanagan (0-4)
John Lane (1-2)		Shane Drumm		Jerry McCarthy (0-1)
SUBS: Billy Hourigan, Danny Allen, Eugene Bodie, Andy Twomey, Danny Quinlan