Newmarket’s junior hurlers just fell short in their third league outing against Banteer on Tuesday evening, an entertaining contest ending 2-10 to 1-11 in favour of the home side in a game played in ideal conditions.

Newmarket were seeking a response from their previous league game but the home side settled quickly and raced into a three point lead in the first ten minutes. Newmarket responded and were on the scoreboard when following an excellent solo run, Tony O’Keeffe produced a fine finish from the sideline. This gave Newmarket confidence and Robert Stack added a point from distance. Banteer had the next score but a John Ryan free left the score at 0-4 to 0-3 after fifteen minutes. Despite Newmarket hurling well in all sectors, it was Banteer that proved more clinical and they had the next three scores. As the half entered the last ten minutes, Newmarket were rewarded for their all round display with a run of five points in succession. Firstly, Kevin O’Sullivan found the target with Michael Kenneally adding a fine individual point after bursting through the Banteer rearguard. Two points from John Ryan tied the sides for the first time before an excellently executed point from Barry O’Leary gave Newmarket the advantage and they turned over in front 0-8 to 0-7 at half time.

 John Ryan pointed a free three minutes after the restart as the sides traded points. John Ryan then gave Newmarket a two point lead before ten minutes into the half Banteer regained the lead on scoring the first goal of the night. A second goal followed at the end of the third quarter and suddenly Banteer enjoyed a four point lead, 2-8 to 0-10. Newmarket responded in the best possible fashion and were buoyed by the inspirational Anthony Crowley and Shane Murphy in defence. Colin O’Sullivan sent a high delivery towards the Banteer goal where the influential John Scanlon caught superbly before offloading a pass to Barry O’Leary and he closed in on goal before supplying a textbook finish to the back of the Banteer net. The hard working Robert Stack then added an excellent point from distance to tie the sides again, 1-11 to 2-8 with ten minutes remaining. Both sides strived for the advantage and it was Banteer who edged in front with a point. Newmarket hurled admirably from beginning to end but failed narrowly on a few occasions to muster an equalizing point. Eventually, as the game entered the dying seconds, a Banteer point ensured the spoils went the way of the home side.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		John McSweeney		Anthony Crowley
Conor Cronin		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Shane Murphy
	Colin O’Sullivan		John Ryan (0-5)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Donnacha O’Dea
John Scanlon		Robert Stack (0-2)		Barry O’Leary (1-1)