Newmarket had a fine home victory over Freemount in the junior B hurling league at Newmarket on Thursday evening in very trying heavy conditions by 3-8 to 1-7.

Shane Murphy got Newmarket off the mark with a second minute free and the same player pounced for a fine individual goal in the fifth minute. Freemount opened their account in the ninth minute before Liam Murphy scored an outstanding spectacular point in the next minute for Newmarket. Freemount cut the deficit on adding two points before the excellent Conor Cronin had a point for Newmarket. As the half concluded the sides went on the share four points with Shane Murphy twice on target from frees for Newmarket as they turned over in front by 1-5 to 0-5.

Newmarket’s hopes were considerably boosted when Shane Murphy was once more alert in the Freemount goalmouth to find the net for a second time five minutes into the second half. As conditions became increasingly difficult both sides showed admirable commitment. Freemount were next to score when an unstoppable close range free flew into the roof of the net past Newmarket’s well marshalled goalline. Newmarket gained the upperhand once more when Liam Murphy did well to get a shot on goal and Paul Verling pounced on the loose ball to rifle the ball to the roof of the net for a superb goal. Shane Murphy added a point but two Freemount points left the score at 3-6 to 0-7 with ten minutes remaining. Newmarket defended stoutly throughout with Pa O’Brien marshalling a superb defence with Conor Cronin often on hand to provide some extra reinforcements to emerge with the ball on numerous occasions. Conor Cronin and Shane Murphy added points as Newmarket held on for the points.

The Newmarket team was…

Kieran Hayes
David Kelly		Pa O’Brien		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Michael Kenneally		Brendan Stack		Timothy Murphy
	Donnacha O’Dea		Conor Cronin (0-2)
Colin O’Sullivan		Robert Stack		Liam Murphy (0-1)
Paul Verling (1-0)		Shane Murphy (2-5)		Sean Irwin
SUBS: