A battling second half performance just fell short as Newmarket fought back from a ten point half point deficit to narrowly lose out to Croke Rovers by 2-13 to 2-11 in a minor hurling league game played at Newmarket on Monday evening.

Croke Rovers were first off the mark with a point in the opening seconds but the accuracy of Donal Hannon from frees which was a highlight of the contest levelled the scores for Newmarket. Croke Rovers scored heavily in the first quarter and added a goal and five points without reply. Donal Hannon kept Newmarket in touch from placed balls but a goal late in the half gave the visitors a lead of 2-7 to 0-3 at half time.

Newmarket gradually reduced the deficit with Donal Hannon on target with three further pointed frees before Vinny Molloy pointed from play. Newmarket were indebted to their goalkeeper Shane McAuliffe who produced a superb double save in the ninth minute before Croke Rovers added two points. Vinny Molloy had his second point of the evening as the sides exchanged scores and the score read 2-10 to 0-8 as the game entered the final quarter. Donal Hannon brought his tally to eight points thanks to two more frees but this was answered with two Croke Rovers scores. Patrick Kelly pointed from distance for

Newmarket and a grandstand finish developed after Gerry Murphy found the net for Newmarket. Fellow substitute Con McAuliffe netted a second goal and suddenly just a point separated the sides. However it was the visitors who had the final score of the evening to claim victory from an entertaining contest.

The Newmarket team was…

Shane McAuliffe
Danny O’Connell		Michael O’Leary		Paudie Allen
Billy Lane		Jack Birtley		Nicky Barrett
	Patrick Kelly (0-1)		Ivan King
Vinny Molloy (0-2)		Timmy O’Keeffe		Donal Hannon (0-8)
Luke McCarthy		Jack Flaherty		David Quinlan
SUBS: Gerry Murphy (1-0), Con McAuliffe (1-0).