Newmarket bowed out of this years U-21 Hurling Championship after a very disappointing defeat to Kanturk in ideal conditions in Meelin on a score line of 2-15 to 8 points on Saturday last.

Kanturk got the first score of the game after one minute. Newmarket hit back with a couple of points from two John Lane frees to take the lead for the first and only time of the game. Kanturk reacted quickly with a goal on six minutes and two points in the next three minutes to leave it 1-3 to 2 points after ten minutes. Disaster struck on the eleventh minute when Kanturk struck home a twenty-one yard free to the top of the net which really was a fatal blow to the team. Kanturk added another point to lead by eight points. Newmarket finally got another point from another John Lane free but Kanturk got four points in six minutes. Newmarket got another point on twenty-eight minutes from a John Lane free. Kanturk replied with the same but Newmarket did get another John Lane free just before the break to leave it 2-9 to 5 points at half time. Ultimately discipline cost Newmarket dearly in the first half; 1-7 of Kanturk’s 2-9 came from placed balls.

Newmarket began the second half with another John Lane free. Kanturk got three more points before John Lane once again put over another free to leave the score line 2-12 to 7 points to Kanturk at the three quarter stage. Really Newmarket were only playing for pride at this stage and the spirited efforts from the captain Sean Irwin, Kevin O’ Sullivan, Brian O’Riordan and Robert Stack kept Newmarket battling away in a game which was very hard to keep going. Newmarket got their eight point from John Lane with ten minutes to go, this proved to be Newmarket’s final score of the game. Kanturk added a final three points in the final minutes to leave the final score 2-15 to 8 points in a very disappointing game from Newmarket’s point of view. Newmarket did miss a lot of chances from distance and the fact that Newmarket got no score from play made it very difficult for the team.

The Newmarket team can be very proud of their efforts this year. They did themselves no justice on Saturday last but it was evident that there is a fine bunch of hurlers here which can get over this result to succeed in the future. The coaches and selectors had a big part to play in the development of these players over the year and they must be complimented highly for putting in a great effort and a lot of time into this team.

The Newmarket team was:

John Ryan
Sean Irwin (Capt.)		John Scanlon		David Kelly
Niall O’Connor		Timothy Murphy		Nicky Flanagan
	Kevin O’ Sullivan		Brian O’ Riordan
T.J. Bodie		Robert Stack		John Lane (0-8)
Conor Cronin		Michael Kenneally		Ian Flanagan
SUBS: William O’ Flynn, Brendan Stack, Alan Forde, Michael O’ Callaghan, David Guiney