Newmarket’s intermediate footballers advanced to the semi final of the Evening Echo County Premier Intermediate football championship when they recorded a narrow victory over Glenville at Ballyclough on Saturday evening by 1-9 to 0-11.

The torrential rain that preceded the game made for extremely difficult underfoot conditions. Glenville were first on the scoreboard when they converted a third minute free. Newmarket were on level terms within a minute when John Ryan slotted over a free at the other end before he edged Newmarket in front from similar means in the sixth minute.

Team captain David O’Flynn rounded off a fine move by kicking over a ninth minute point. Glenville responded and by the end of the opening quarter two points had the sides level. The Imokilly side gained a slender advantage by pointing in the twentieth minute but Maurice Feehan deadlocked the sides for a third time with a fine effort. Newmarket enjoyed a productive period at this crucial period of the game and as it transpired it proved vital to the outcome of the game. John Ryan was once more on target from a placed ball before the very lively and effective John Lane was rewarded for his endeavour by kicking an excellent point. As the half entered the closing stages Newmarket punished an error in the Glenville defence with Tony O’Keeffe on hand to set David O’Flynn off towards goal and he drilled the ball to the roof of the net. Glenville did have the final point of the half but Newmarket enjoyed a four point advantage at the break thanks to a 1-6 to 0-5 scoreline.

Newmarket increased their advantage within four minutes, again thanks to the accuracy of free taker John Ryan who made light of the poor conditions Glenville cut the deficit to a clear goal when adding two points. T.J. Bodie kicked an inspirational point for Newmarket and they led as the game entered the final quarter by 1-8 to 0-7. The sides exchanged two points with John Lane kicking a fine point for Newmarket with ten minutes remaining, in what proved to be Newmarket’s final score of the game. Newmarket were in defensive mode for the rest of the game and gradually Glenville reduced their arrears thanks to points in the fifty fourth and sixtieth minute. Newmarket’s lead was reduced to a solitary point in injury time but they kept their composure to hold out for a notable win.

Newmarket’s defence were pivotal to a fine team effort. They were extremely disciplined and defended resolutely throughout the hour while behind them goalkeeper Niall O’Connor was superb in the poor conditions. The midfield and attack worked tirelessly with the full forward line of John Ryan, Tony O’Keeffe and John Lane looked lively throughout.

The Newmarket team was…

Niall O’Connor
Pa O’Brien		Mark Reidy		Mark Murphy
Brian O’Riordan		Barry O’Leary		Bart Daly
	Denys O’Brien		Timothy Murphy
David O’Flynn(1-1)		T.J. Bodie (0-1)		Maurice Feehan (0-1)
John Ryan (0-4)		Tony O’Keeffe		John Lane (0-2)
SUBS: Nicky Flanagan, Kevin O’Sullivan