Robert Emmets went down to a slender two point defeat against Kanturk, 0-13 to 0-11 following a tight and gripping contest played on a perfect sunny evening in Newmarket last Monday, before a fine attendance.

Kanturk opened the scoring with a point in the second minute with Donal Hannon replying from a free, three minutes later. A similar pattern emerged as Kanturk converted a free but Donal Hannon hit a spectacular equalizer from distance by the sideline after nine minutes.

Kanturk gained a slender foothold on scoring the next two points but Barry O’Connor and Donal Hannon, following a perfect pass from Padraig Allen ensured parity once more after nineteen minutes.

Robert Emmets were punished for two indescresions while at the other end promising build up play went to waste with a few narrow wides resulting. Cathal Noonan was the outstanding performer in the opening half while his allay at midfield Donal Hannon proved a perfect foil through his scoring exploits.

As the half concluded, Robert Emmets found their range as a trio of Donal Hannon points swung the pendulum in favour of the home side, who went into the interval with a lead of 0-7 to 0-6.

Kanturk responded instantly upon the restart and two points in as many minutes helped them regain the initiative. Donal Hannon struck an equalizer for Robert Emmets before he converted a fifth minute free to put a change in the leaders yet again.

A Kanturk point just six minutes into the half, meant the sides were tied for a seventh time at 0-9 apiece.

A scoreless spell followed but the action was compelling and extremely tight. As the game entered the final quarter Kanturk took the lead with a point and were presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot moments later. The Robert Emmets rearguard were equal to the shot with Padraig Allen keeping the goal intact but Kanturk did score a point in the following sequence of play.

Robert Emmets responded with a Gavin Forde pointed free and a well taken individual point by Barry O’Connor leaving the sides deadlocked with five minutes to play. It was Kanturk however who seized the initiative as two late points propelled them into the lead.

Robert Emmets threatened to deliver an all important goal but it never materialized and Kanturk held out for a hard fought win.

The Robert Emmets team and scorers…

Donal Hannon (0-8), Barry O’Connor (0-2), Gavin Forde (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Colm Noonan		Daniel Richard Guinee
Gavin Forde		Paudie Allen		Alan Ryan
	Donal Hannon		Cathal Noonan
Michael Cottrell		Jacko Flaherty		Barry O'Connor
Eoin O'Connell		David Quinlan		Daniel O'Doherty
Subs: Jack Birtley, Conor O’Keeffe and Michael McSweeney