Defending champions Newmarket advanced to the semi final stages of the Duhallow under 21 football championship after claiming their second successive victory in the round robin series to duly finish top of their group, having travelled to Dromtariffe and defeated the home side by 0-12 to 1-3 on a fine Saturday afternoon.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze, Newmarket quickly got off the mark when Anthony Lynch pointed in the first minute. John Ryan slotted over a third minute free as a fluent Newmarket began impressively. Ian Flanagan and Jerry McCarthy also added to the scoreboard in the opening quarter.

Newmarket were well marshalled in defence with David Guiney, Brian O’Riordan and Conor Cronin prominent while goalkeeper David Quinlan gave a very assured performance throughout the hour. Newmarket made their dominance pay with John Ryan and John Lane opening up a six point advantage. Six minutes before the interval, John Ryan was upended in the Dromtariffe square but the home goalkeeper duly blocked the resultant penalty. This failed to deter Newmarket as they finished the half with a few late points through John Scanlon, John Lane and the score of the match from Robert Stack who kicked emphatically from distance after some excellent approach play involving John Lane and John Ryan. This gave Newmarket a nine point cushion as they turned to face into the strong breeze.

Dromtariffe got off the mark within two minutes but Newmarket responded with John Lane claiming a fine point in the fifth minute. Dromtariffe increased the tempo but again Newmarket’s rearguard was resolute until the end of the third quarter when the home side added two points in quick succession. Newmarket squandered a few gilt edged chances but they regained their composure as scores from John Ryan and Conor Cronin restored the nine point lead. Dromtariffe’s endeavours were rewarded late in the day when being awarded the second penalty of the hour but this time the kick was dispersed expertly to the corner of the net with what proved to be the final score of the contest.

Congratulations to Bart Daly who lined out at centre half back on the Cork under 21 football team that defeated Waterford by 0-19 to 0-9 in the Munster championship semi final at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday and best wishes to him as they play Tipperary in the Munster Final at Thurles on Saturday.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
	David Guiney		Brian O’Riordan
Conor Cronin (0-1)		Paul Cashman		Michael O’Leary
	Robert Stack (0-1)		Kevin O’Sullivan
Anthony Lynch (0-1)		John Ryan (0-3)		Ian Flanagan (0-1)
	Jerry McCarthy (0-1)		John Lane (0-3)
SUBS: John Scanlon (0-1), Eugene Bodie