Following a one point defeat to Ilen Rovers on Friday evening, the Newmarket footballers now face the prospect of a relegation play-off against Bandon, to retain their Senior A football status.

Both Ilen and Newmarket entered Friday night’s match with much to play for. The Duhallow men still retained an outside chance of making the quarter-finals, while the unwanted possibility of finishing bottom of the table remained for either side. With so much at stake, the contest proved to be a tense encounter, with the teams level at four points a piece, on the quarter hour mark. Newmarket pushed 0-07 to 0-05 ahead on 22 minutes and despite a brace of goal chances during the half, the gap could not be widened further before the break.

The Carbery side levelled up the fixture early in the second half and took a one point lead moments later. Managing to keep their noses in front, Ilen held a 0-10 to 0-11 advantage, with ten minutes to play. Two further points, put them in a strong position entering the closing stages. Newmarket battled back to reduce the arrears a single point, but a 63rd minute point gave Ilen Rovers the insurance score they required. Newmarket registered the final point of the match on 65 minutes, but could not avoid the defeat, losing out narrowly, 0-13 to 0-14.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Conor O’Keeffe (0-08, 7f),  Barry O’Connor (0-02), Bart Daly (0-01), Aidan Browne (0-01), Ryan O’Keeffe (0-01)

Josh O'Keeffe
Mikey Browne		Alan Ryan		Paudie Allen
Daniel Norton		Gavin Forde		Bart Daly
	Mikey Cottrell		Aidan Browne
Darren O'Keeffe		David Cottrell		Kevin O'Sullivan
Conor O'Keeffe		Barry O'Connor		Cathal Browne
Subs: Paddy Browne for A Ryan (inj 25), Cathal Buttimer for David Cottrell (43), Daniel Culloty for Kevin O'Sullivan (43), Ryan O'Keeffe for Barry O'Connor (51)