Newmarket took the lead thanks to a converted free by Gavin Forde before Eddie Allen slotted over a second three minutes later. Influential midfielder Kevin O’Sullivan had his first pointed free of the game before Ballydesmond opened their account with a thirteenth minute point. Newmarket enjoyed the territorial advantage and centre back Kevin O’Connor powered forward to kick a fine point in the fifteenth minute. Kevin O’Sullivan increased the lead and things got even better for Newmarket as Michael O’Leary surged forward to kick a fine point and Eddie Allen rounded off the half with a pointed free to give the hosts an interval lead of 0-7 to 0-1.

The second half had resumed for nine minutes before the next score arrived courtesy of Kevin O’Sullivan. Ballydesmond brought themselves back into contention when scoring the games first goal a minute later. Newmarket responded with a Kevin O’Sullivan point but Ballydesmond added a second goal to leave just a solitary point between the sides, 0-9 to 2-2 with sixteen minutes remaining. Newmarket kept their composure and once again Kevin O’Sullivan was the talisman as he added the next two points. As the game entered the final minutes, Newmarket were able to drive home the victory with a late flurry of points through Gavin Forde twice and Kevin O’Connor.

The Newmarket team and scorers…