Dromtariffe were the sharper side initially and raced into a three point lead within six minutes. Newmarket eventually settled and Nicky Flanagan and Michael Kenneally had points in quick succession. Dromtariffe had a fourth point at the end of the first quarter but Newmarket enjoyed good spells on dominance at this stage. Despite some fine approach play, Newmarket laboured to add to their tally. Jerry McCarthy eventually found the target and Nicky Flanagan converted a free to tie the sides for the first and only time at 0-4 apiece late in the half. Dromtariffe finished the half in the ascendancy and ensured they enjoyed an interval advantage of 0-6 to 0-4 thanks to two late points.

Dromtariffe resumed in whirlwind fashion and added three superbly taken points in a four minute spell. Newmarket faced an uphill task and another Dromtariffe point left six points between the sides, ten minutes into the half.

To their credit, Newmarket battled back into the contest and Nicky Flanagan added a brace of points. Crucially at this stage, a terrific effort from Nicky Flanagan seemed destined for the corner of the net, but somehow the Dromtariffe goalkeeper produced an incredible save to keep their lead intact. Newmarket made a number of substitutions during the half and each had a positive impact on the side. Robert Stack excelled as the game progressed with John McSweeney and Mattie Fitzpatrick in outstanding form. However, Newmarket again found scoring a huge burden and it was Dromtariffe who added the next point to take a five point lead. This failed to deter Newmarket and after several attempts they manufactured a well taken goal with Nicky Flanagan laying the ball into the path of John Scanlon who struck a shot majestically to the roof of the Dromtariffe net.

Unfortunately for Newmarket, it was Dromtariffe who sealed a keenly contested game with a point late in injury time to progress to the next round.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Murphy
Michael O’Leary		John McSweeney		Donnacha O’Dea
Matthew Fitzpatrick		Robert Stack		Jack Birtley
	Gerard Casey		Brendan Stack
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		Ian Flanagan		Jerry McCarthy (0-1)
Kieran Lehane		Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Nicky Flanagan (0-4)
SUBS: John Scanlon (1-0), Anthony Lynch, Nicky Barrett, David Enright, Vinny Molloy

Freemount settled better in the early exchanges and once they opened the scoring in the fourth minute, they increased their advantage courtesy of three further unanswered points. Newmarket pointed for the first time in the nineteenth minute through Ian Flanagan and confidence grew as Donnacha O’Dea added another moment’s later. Newmarket were excellent in defence with team captain Robert Stack particularly outstanding throughout, while the five other defenders performed admirably. The sides traded points as Ian Flanagan converted his first free of the night. Freemount increased their advantage with the final score of the half and they turned over in front by 0-6 to 0-3.

Freemount added to their lead within a minute of the restart but Ian Flanagan replied with a pointed free for Newmarket.

The critical period of the game came six minutes into the half. Vinny Molloy struck a long delivery towards the Freemount goal and Nicky Barrett was on hand to finish to the net for an equalizing goal. Almost instantly, a similar scenario developed, this time it was Donnacha O’Dea who dropped the ball into the danger area and once more Nicky Barrett was on hand to supply a flawless finish to the net. Amazingly, it was Nicky Barrett in Newmarket’s next attack who clipped over a point and in a three minute period, the total landscape of the contest had changed and Newmarket held a lead of 2-5 to 0-7.

Newmarket visibly grew in confidence all over the field with Donnacha Fitzpatrick and Bryan O’Connell excelling either side of their inspiring leader Robert Stack, while behind them Michael O’Leary, Brendan Stack and William O’Flynn were superb. Two Freemount points cut the deficit to two points but a pointed free from Donnacha O’Dea had Newmarket in front by 2-6 to 0-9 by the end of the third quarter. A trio of frees on target through Donnacha O’Dea and a brace from Ian Flanagan followed as Newmarket took a six point advantage. Newmarket closed in on victory by adding three further points through Ian Flanagan (twice) and Paul Verling before a point for Freemount brought the scoring for the evening to an end.

The Newmarket team was…

Kieran Hayes
William O’Flynn		Brendan Stack		Michael O’Leary
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		Robert Stack		Bryan O’Connell
	Vinny Molloy		Ian Flanagan (0-7)
Nicky Barrett (2-1)		Donnacha O’Dea (0-3)		Kieran Lehane
Luke McCarthy		Billy Daly		Paul Verling (0-1)
SUB: Michael O’Neill

Donnacha O’Dea had the first point of the evening on pointing a second minute free but the lead was shortly held as Millstreet found the net for a fourth minute goal. Millstreet increased their lead with a point but Newmarket struck back with a superbly worked goal in the seventh minute. John Scanlon burst through the Millstreet defence and laid the ball off into the path of Billy Daly and he finished to the net with a well struck shot to the corner of the net to tie the sides. Millstreet had a second goal and the score after an end to end opening ten minutes read, 2-1 to 1-1. David Enright struck an excellent long range free and another fine score from John Scanlon reduced the arrears to a solitary point after the opening quarter.

As the game progressed Millstreet gradually assumed the ascendancy and were more accurate in front of goal. Despite a resilient Newmarket defensive display, Millstreet had five points without reply in the remainder of the half and they turned around in front at half time by 2-6 to 1-3.

Newmarket tried with great endeavour throughout the second half but despite concerted effort and periods of territorial dominance, unfortunately scoring proved to be a major burden. It took fifteen minutes for the first score of the half to be registered and when it arrived, Milllstreet followed it up with a second, two minutes later. Newmarket were given a lifeline when Billy Daly kicked to the net for his second goal as the score read 2-8 to 2-3 with thirteen minutes remaining. However, both defences held firm for the remainder of the game as the sides shared two further points, Bryan O’Connell on target for Newmarket in the closing moments.

The Newmarket team was…

Kieran Hayes
William O’Flynn		Brendan Stack		Michael O’Leary
David Enright (0-1)		Robert Stack		Jack Birtley
	Bryan O’Connell (0-1)		Donnacha O’Dea (0-1)
Vinny Molloy		John Scanlon (0-1)		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Nicky Barrett		Billy Daly (2-0)		Kieran Lehane
SUBS: Eddie Allen, Luke McCarthy

Newmarket got off to a flying start when a well worked move ended with Daniel Culloty and he pointed in fine style within a minute. Boherbue levelled matters in the tenth minute and took a lead thanks to a second point a minute later. Newmarket regained the lead when a sublime long distance pass from T.J. Brosnan picked out Nicky Barrett and he crashed the ball to the back of the net for a fine goal. T.J. Brosnan scored two points for Newmarket, either side of a free from Vinny Molloy as Newmarket built up a lead of 1-4 to 0-2 after nineteen minutes. As conditions deteriorated, Newmarket took a firm grip of proceedings late in the half thanks to two quick fire goals in as many minutes. The first came courtesy of Vinny Molloy with Luke McCarthy following suit as Newmarket enjoyed a lead of 3-4 to 0-2 at the interval.]

Boherbue started the second half brightly and added two points in three minutes. Newmarket responded and found the target thanks to a brace of points from Nicky Barrett and another from T.J. Brosnan. Ten minutes into the half T.J. Brosnan lobbed the goalkeeper with a deft chip to find the net and Newmarket had a commanding lead of 4-7 to 0-4 at this stage.

It was Boherbue, however who reacted in fine fashion at this point. A goal quickly followed and three further points brought the deficit to three clear goals.

As the game entered the final ten minutes a second Boherbue goal ensured a tense conclusion. Substitute, Con McAuliffe pointed to end a barren thirteen minute spell for Newmarket but two more Boherbue points left just five points between the sides entering the final five minutes. Newmarket dug deep and found the reserves to produce a storming final few minutes. Daniel Culloty kicked a point before Con McAuliffe was on hand to claim an insurance goal from close range. Newmarket closed out the victory through further late points from substitutes, Gerry Murphy and David Enright. The win was Newmarket’s third of the campaign from five outings.

The Newmarket team was…

Alan Ryan
	Michael O’Leary		Timmy O’Flynn
Eoin Murphy		Jack Birtley		Paudie Allen
	Patrick Kelly		T.J. Brosnan (1-3)
Nicky Barrett (1-2)		Timmy O’Keeffe		Daniel Culloty (0-2)
	Vinny Molloy (1-1)		Luke McCarthy (1-0)
SUBS: David Enright (0-1), Con McAuliffe (1-1), Gavin Keane, Gerry Murphy (0-1), Donnacha Drumm

Kilbrin began brightly and soon had a two point lead before adding a goal in the fifth minute. Another point followed before Donnacha O’Dea got Newmarket on the oard on pointing a thirteenth minute free with John Scanlon quickly following up with a point from play. Two Kilbrin points increased their advantage to 1-5 to 0-2 after the opening quarter. Donnacha O’Dea had his second point of the evening but it was Kilbrin who proved clinical in their shooting and a fine array of scores from all distances followed as they added five unanswered points.

Michael Kenneally added a fourth point for Newmarket but two more points gave Kilbrin an interval advantage of 1-12 to 0-4.

The sides traded points in the first ten minutes of the second half with Donnacha O’Dea on target for Newmarket. The gap between the sides grew courtesy of three points before the second Kilbrin goal of the night. A well beaten Newmarket side battled gamely until the end with late points from Robert Stack and Donnacha O’Dea proving mere consolation.
The Newmarket team was…

Darren O’Keeffe
David Guiney		Timothy Murphy		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Jack Birtley		Niall O’Connor		Robert Stack (0-1)
	Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Donnacha O’Dea (0-4)
Vinny Molloy		John Scanlon (0-1)		Kieran Lehane
Paul Verling		David Quinlan		Billy Daly
SUBS: Bryan O’Connell, Michael O’Leary, David Enright, Jerry McCarthy, Luke McCarthy.

Dromtariffe set the trend for a free flowing contest on pointing within a minutewith Gavin Forde finding the target from a long range point a minute later. David Quinlan showed some great determination in forging out a scoring opportunity for himself before pointing for Newmarket in the eighth minute. In the tenth minute, Donal Hannon managed to flick the ball towards the onrushing Vinny Molloy and he bore down on goalbefore unleashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Dromtariffe net for a superb Newmarket goal. Dromtariffe answered with a point and they slowly began to dominatethe next period of the game. Three points followed and the sides were level by the nineteenth minute. Dromtariffe were in full flow at this stage and were knocking over an impressive string of points from very long distances. Three further points put them into athree point lead in a sequence which yielded seven points in succession. Newmarket ended an eighteen minute spell without a score with ace marksman Donal Hannon getting his first point of the contest. He added a second point but on both occasions Dromtariffe hit back with points. As an entertaining half concluded it was Dromtariffe who enjoyed alead of 0-10 to 1-4 at the turnover.

Dromtariffe increased their advantage within two minutes of the resumption. Despite a Donal Hannon point, Dromtariffe soon restored their four point advantage.Newmarket took a grip on proceedings at this stage. David Quinlan added two points to his tally before a Donal Hannon point left just a point between the sides, 0-12 to 1-8. Dromtariffe added the next point but Newmarket maintained their momentum, Donal Hannon pointing once more before a fine score from Vinny Molloy had the sides level fora third time and the game perfectly poised entering the final quarter. Newmarket hit the front thanks to Donal Hannon and a Jacko Flaherty point doubled the lead. The pendulum swung back towards Dromtariffe in the latter stages and two quickfire points restored parity once more. As the clock ticked towards a conclusion Dromtariffe edged ahead. Newmarket had one final chance to rescue the contest and Donal Hannon kept hiscomposure to split the posts for an equalizing point and both sides had to settle for extra time after a rip roaring game ended 1-13 to 0-16.

Dromtariffe gained the early advantage in extra time pointing within two minutes. Great credit was due to both sides for their endeavours throughout and despite obviously tiring limbs the commitment and desire of all involved was first class. Dromtariffe took a two point lead before Newmarket had their first score of extra time onGavin Forde pointing a free. Newmarket ended the first half on a major high when JackoFlaherty saw his effort creep over the line for a second Newmarket goal who took the leadonce more at 2-14 to 0-19.

Donal Hannon pointed on the resumption but Dromtariffe answered with a point instantly. As the game entered the final moments two superbly taken points from Donal Hannon gave Newmarket a three point advantage. Dromtariffe threw everything into onelast desperate attack. As the ball dropped dangerously towards the Newmarket goal, excellent custodian Shane McAuliffe produced a wonderful save, however despairinglythe rebound was finished clinically by an alert Dromtariffe forward for a sensational equalizing goal. This provided the final segment of play and fittingly both sides will get another chance to claim the prize on offer.

A number of individuals performed heroically. For Newmarket, goalkeeper ShaneMcAuliffe was confident throughout, with Padraig Allen and Michael O’Leary extremely resolute in defence. Nicky Barrett had a fine game in the half back line while in attack Vinny Molloy impressed along with prolific talisman Donal Hannon.

Shane McAuliffe
	Padraig Allen		Michael O’Leary
Alan Ryan		Jack Birtley		Nicky Barrett
	Gavin Forde (0-2)		Vinny Molloy (1-1)
David Enright		Ivan King		Donal Hannon (0-10)
	David Quinlan (0-3)
Subs: Jacko Flaherty (1-1), Patrick Kelly, David Enright, Billy Lane

The opening exchanges were tight and even but Meelin eventually took the lead in the fourth minute. Two further points followed before John Lane slotted over a free for Newmarket after ten minutes and he cut the arrears to a point in similar fashion from distance minutes later. Meelin regained the initiative on scoring the next two points but Barry O’Leary kept Newmarket in contention with a point from play after twenty two minutes. Newmarket were well served by their defensive rearguard with Robert Stack and Ian Flanagan prominent and full back John McSweeney also performing well. Newmarket missed a couple of scorable opportunities as the half concluded while a brace of Meelin points gave them an advantage of 0-7 to 0-3 at the turnover.

Within two minutes of the restart, the game swung clearly in Meelin’s favour. They were awarded a penalty which was duly converted to the net and the game ended as a contest when in the fourth minute a long deliver was brilliantly doubled to the net for a second goal. This double blow clearly shattered Newmarket and they struggled badly for the remainder of the game. Meelin added four points in succession by the end of the quarter before Kevin O’Sullivan raised a white flag for Newmarket on converting a free. The terrible conditions failed to deter Meelin’s hurling ability and a further three points followed. Newmarket gained some consolation when Kevin O’Sullivan goaled from a penalty but for good measure Meelin also goaled with their next score before rounding off a comprehensive win with a final point. Newmarket will now face Tullylease in a bid to remain in the championship.  

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Ian Flanagan		John McSweeney		John Ryan
Shane Murphy		Pa O’Brien		Robert Stack
	Niall O’Connor		Barry O’Leary (0-1)
Tony O’Keeffe		John Scanlon		Anthony Crowley
John Lane (0-2)		Colin O’Sullivan		Kevin O’Sullivan (1-1)
SUBS: Conor Cronin, Nicky Flanagan, Michael Kenneally, William O’Flynn.

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).

Cullen opened the scoring thanks to an excellent point from distance in the opening stages but Newmarket were boosted when a speculative effort from Nicky Barrett found the back of the Cullen net in the third minute. It was Cullen however who enjoyed the better of the early stages, two quick fire points restored parity before the home side were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute which was dispatched expertly to the net. A further point gave Cullen a four point advantage by the tenth minute. Jack Birtley surged forward to kick a fine score for Newmarket and Luke McCarthy added a pointed free to cut the deficit, 1-4 to 1-2 after eighteen minute. The sides exchanged the next two points with Vinny Molloy chipping over a neat point from a narrow angle for Newmarket. Gavin Forde was next on target as Newmarket came to within a point of their hosts. Cullen had the next two points before once again Gavin Forde pointed for Newmarket. It was Cullen who finished the half strongly; they added a second goal and a further point to turnover in front by 2-8 to 1-5.

Newmarket resumed with Nicky Barrett kicking an excellent point but amazingly this proved to be the only score of the half in a twenty two minute spell. Cullen appeared to take the game out of reach when once more finding the net from the penalty spot and a additional point gave them a lead of nine points with seven minutes remaining. Newmarket, driven on by the efforts of Michael O’Leary, Jack Birtley, Nicky Barrett and Gavin Forde kept battling to the end. Firstly, Paudie Allen pointed before Gavin Forde finished clinically to the corner of the Cullen net for a well taken goal. Cullen had the next score from a point but a grandstand finish was assured when David Enright scored an absolutely wonderfully struck goal to the top corner of the net from distance in the closing minutes. This proved to be the final score as the home side held on for victory.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
	Timmy O’Flynn		Michael O’Leary
Billy Lane		Jack Birtley (0-1)		David Enright (1-0)
	Patrick Kelly		Conor Keppel
Nicky Barrett (1-1)		Luke McCarthy (0-1)		Vinny Molloy (0-1)
	Gavin Forde (1-2)		Timmy O’Keeffe
SUBS: Alan Ryan, Ivan King, Padraig Allen (0-1), Con McAuliffe, Eoin Murphy.

Newmarket took the lead in the second minute when Luke McCarthy slotted over a free before Kanturk equalized in the fifth minute and they then went in front four minutes later. T.J. Brosnan had Newmarket on level terms with a fine solo point before Timmy O’Keeffe regained Newmarket the lead on finishing expertly to the Kanturk net for what proved to be the games solitary goal.

Kanturk responded and turned the contest firmly in their favour by adding a goal and four points without reply to enjoy a four point advantage. Luke McCarthy pointed next for Newmarket but Kanturk restored their four point lead by adding the next score. However, it was Newmarket who responded at this stage with points from Luke McCarthy, T.J. Brosnan and Gavin Forde. Vinny Molloy had the sides on level terms before Newmarket sealed a fine win with Nicky Barrett adding what proved to be the games winning point.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
Timmy O’Flynn		Michael O’Leary		Alan Ryan
Eoin Murphy		Jack Birtley		David Enright
	T.J. Brosnan (0-2)		Conor Keppel
Vinny Molloy (0-1)		Gavin Forde (0-1)		Nicky Barrett (0-1)
Timmy O’Keeffe (1-0)		Luke McCarthy (0-3)		Ivan King

Niall O’Connor
Brian O’Riordan		Mark Murphy		Kevin O’Connor
Timothy Murphy		Barry O’Leary		Sean Doody
	Denys O’Brien		Bart Daly (0-1)
Mark Reidy (1-1)		T.J. Bodie (0-1)		David O’Flynn
John Ryan (0-3)		Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		John Lane (0-1)
Subs: Kevin O’Sullivan, Seanie Francis O’Connor, Anthony Crowley, T.J. Brosnan

After an initial scrappy opening to the game, John Ryan illuminated proceeding on converting a superb free from a narrow angle in the third minute. Clyda Rovers tied the scores for the first time with a fifth minute point from a free and their next two points came in similar fashion by the tenth minute. In the eleventh minute, Newmarket corner back Kevin O’Connor burst out from defence and set off on a rampaging run through the field where he exchanged passes with David O’Flynn who ultimately kicked a fine point from distance. Clyda added the next score but Newmarket, whose performance was riddled with unforced errors throughout, had their best period of the game.

Newmarket struggled to find a way through the Clyda rearguard but a John Ryan free brought about a change in fortune. As the game entered the final quarter, a quickly taken free from the astute Denys O’Brien picked out John Lane in clear space and as he closed in on goal he selflessly offloaded the ball to Mark Reidy who kept his composure to slot a neat finish to the back of the net, for the games only goal. This brought Newmarket to within a point of their opponents and the sides exchanged the next two points with John Ryan kicking a memorable score for Newmarket. With the game nicely poised, Newmarket self destructed and once more presented Clyda with points through their own unforced errors and they availed by scoring three points to put a clear four points difference between the sides.

Newmarket battled to the end and John Lane reduced the arrears on pointing a free. They came very close to salvaging a draw late on but Clyda held firm to advance to round four.

Niall O’Connor
Kevin O’Connor		Mark Murphy		Brian O’Riordan
Barry O’Leary		Timothy Murphy		Sean Doody
	Denys O’Brien		Bart Daly (0-2)
David O’Flynn (0-1)		Maurice Feehan		Mark Reidy (1-0)
John Ryan (0-4)		Tony O’Keeffe		John Lane (0-1)
Subs: Kevin O’Sullivan, T.J. Bodie, Seanie Francis O’Connor, Colin O’Sullivan, Anthony Crowley

Newmarket survived an early scare and were lucky to escape as Millstreet pointed within seconds of the throw in. John Lane responded with a well taken point from play and Tony O’Keeffe followed up with an even better effort in the fourth minute. Millstreet looked threatening in the early stages and they broke through for what proved to be the games only goal in the fifth minute and an additional point increased their lead to a clear goal.
The sides then exchanged points with John Lane on target from a placed ball as Millstreet led by 1-3 to 0-3 after a lively first ten minutes. Both sides tightened up defensively at this stage, with Kevin O’Sullivan in outstanding form in defence for Newmarket throughout. A seven minute scoreless spell ended when John Lane pointed a free. This gave Newmarket a bit of momentum and he was similarly on target again three minutes later. Michael Kenneally levelled the sides for a second time on pointing in the twenty second minute and Newmarket hit the front with a fine individual effort from Donnacha O’Dea with left half back Robert Stack then adding a spectacular long range point to double the advantage. The home side finished the half in the ascendancy and two points in as many minutes had the sides level once more at the halfway point, 0-8 to 1-5.
Newmarket struggled for a while upon the restart and were sloppy in their play as Millstreet added a point in the fifth minute. Newmarket eventually settled on John Lane scoring his fifth point of the evening to once more restore parity. This spurred on Newmarket and three quick fire points followed in a three minute spell, all fine scores from John Lane and the experienced duo of Barry O’Leary and Tony O’Keeffe. Millstreet however cut the deficit to a solitary point again on getting the next two points and as the game entered the final ten minutes, Newmarket held a slender lead of 0-12 to 1-8.
Newmarket showed great spirit and desire at this stage and no shortage of skill. John Ryan scored an inspirational point from distance with Barry O’Leary, John Lane and Conor Cronin firing over points in rapid time. Newmarket sensed success and hurled with distinction in all sectors. Right half back Shane Murphy added to the collection of superb long range points, with team captain Anthony Crowley finding the target in similar vein moments later. A Newmarket side in full flow sealed a memorable success with further points on the board through a brace from John Lane and the final score of the game, fittingly an excellent long range finish from Robert Stack as Newmarket rounded off their ninth point in succession.
The final whistle was greeted with great excitement by the Newmarket supporters and panel of players who have seen numerous disappointing days out with the team over two and a half decades.  Duhallow Board Secretary, Tom Dennehy presented the silverware to Newmarket’s joint captains, Anthony Crowley and Kevin O’Sullivan.

Congratulations to all the players and especially to the teams mentors, Con O’Sullivan (who has given incredible service to hurling teams in Newmarket for many years), Eamon Moynihan, Jim Fitzgerald and team coach Jerry Molyneaux on their notable and memorable achievements with a panel of players limited in numbers on several occasions.
The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Niall O’Connor		Brendan Stack		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Shane Murphy (0-1)		Kevin O’Sullivan		Robert Stack (0-2)
	John Ryan (0-1)		John Lane (0-9)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-2)		Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Colin O’Sullivan
Barry O’Leary (0-2)		John Scanlon		Donnacha O’Dea (0-1)
SUBS: Anthony Crowley (0-1), Conor Cronin (0-1), Ian Flanagan.

It was Tullylease who opened the scoring on pointing in the third minute but a Kevin O’Sullivan free from distance had Newmarket level within two minutes. John Ryan found the target with another long range point but a Tullylease point restored parity after seven minutes. Newmarket created a number of clear-cut goal and pointing opportunities but were guilty of failing to capitalize on the majority of these chances. However, Newmarket kept plugging away and were rewarded through points from Colin O’Sullivan and Donnacha O’Dea. At this stage Newmarket were indebted to their goalkeeper Paul Verling who produced the first of two wonderful saves during the half and this buoyed on his team-mates with two points from John Lane giving Newmarket a four point advantage, 0-6 to 0-2 after eighteen minutes.

Tullylease rallied with two points before Paul Verling’s second memorable save and he was will assisted by a well marshalled defence led by the inspirational  Kevin O’Sullivan with Shane Murphy and Brendan Stack also excelling. Tullylease reduced the gap to a point before the excellent Tony O’Keeffe finished off a move by scoring his sides seventh point. The entertaining and evenly matched half ended with a Tullylease point and Newmarket turned over with a slender lead, 0-7 to 0-6.

Newmarket were the quicker side to settle in the second half and John Lane whose influence grew throughout the contest added two points in eight minutes. Michael Kenneally pointed next before Tullylease had their first point of the half. Newmarket grew in confidence as the game progressed and some excellent hurling began to reap the rewards. John Lane and Tony O’Keeffe pointed before Ian Flanagan gave Newmarket a six point lead, 0-13 to 0-7 at the three quarter mark.

The crucial score of the game for Newmarket arrived two minutes later when a John Scanlon effort found the back of the Tullylease net. Newmarket’s accuracy was unerring at this stage and the terrific John Lane pointed twice before John Scanlon gave Newmarket a twelve point advantage courtesy of an excellently taken point. Tullylease went looking for goals at this stage and they found the net for the first time with little over five minutes of normal time remaining. Newmarket failed to be deterred and responded in fine fashion as John Lane and Barry O’Leary hit two quickfire points. Tullylease hit a second goal but once more Newmarket replied with Tony O’Keeffe pointing. Tullylease failed to relent and deep into stoppage time they scored a third goal from a close in free despite a goal line full of Newmarket defenders. However, Newmarket would not be deterred and a superb performance was well rewarded with a place in the Singleton Cup final for a second year.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Niall O’Connor		Brendan Stack		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Shane Murphy		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Robert Stack
	John Ryan (0-1)		John Lane (0-8)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-3)		Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Colin O’Sullivan (0-1)
Barry O’Leary (0-1)		John Scanlon (1-1)		Donnacha O’Dea (0-1)
SUB: Ian Flanagan (0-1)

Newmarket got on the scoreboard instantly with the outstanding John Lane pointing from play within a minute. Tullylease then equalized before edging into the lead. A lively, open, free flowing game developed from the outset and John Lane tied the sides for a second time from a placed ball in the sixth minute before he regained the lead for Newmarket from play in the ninth minute. Tullylease had the next two points with Tony O’Keeffe getting Newmarket back on level terms. Tullylease gained a slender advantage once more but a Barry O’Leary point had the sides level for a fifth time at 0-5 apiece after fifteen minutes.

The entertaining contest flowed from end to end and John Lane gave Newmarket a slender lead in their next attack. Tullylease then had the only goal of the game to take a two point lead but this setback failed to deter a confident Newmarket outfit. Shane Murphy inspired in defence and two frees from John Lane had the sides level once more, 0-8 to 1-5 after twenty five minutes. Newmarket grew in confidence and had a prolific end to the half. John Scanlon did well to point from close range before John Lane pointed once more. Michael Kenneally finished off an excellent move by drilling the ball over the bar and he soon added a second point to gain Newmarket a four point advantage, 0-12 to 1-5 at the turnover.

Newmarket resumed the second half as they ended the first and John Lane found the target from distance. Barry O’Leary also pointed with Donnacha O’Dea adding a third successive point within five minutes. Tullylease hit back with the next two points but Newmarket were hurling excellently, especially in defence with Brendan Stack in outstanding form with the other five defenders also making a substantial impact on the game. John Lane pointed from a free and Newmarket enjoyed a six point lead, 0-16 to 1-7 at the end of the third quarter. Tullylease cut the deficit on scoring the next two points but the prolific John Lane settled Newmarket again on once more converting a placed ball. Two more Tullylease points left just three points between the sides, 0-17 to 1-11 with little over ten minutes remaining.

Newmarket found a response again and this came through centre half forward Michael Kenneally who crucially hit over a brace of points. Tullylease kept in touch with the next point but Newmarket flourished to the finish. Three late points from Donnacha O’Dea, Barry O’Leary and John Lane, with his eleventh of the hour, capped a memorable team performance and well deserved victory.

The Newmarket team was .

The Newmarket team was…

Kieran Hayes
William O’Flynn		Brendan Stack		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Shane Murphy		Kevin O’Sullivan		Robert Stack
	John Ryan		John Lane (0-11)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		Michael Kenneally (0-4)		Donnacha O’Dea (0-2)
Barry O’Leary (0-3)		John Scanlon (0-1)		Kieran Lehane
SUB: Niall O’Connor

Newmarket got off to a good start when the outstanding Kevin O’Sullivan converted a free from distance in the third minute. A Kilbrin point levelled the scores for the first time in the eighth minute and the sides shared the next two points with Kevin O’Sullivan again on target from a long range dead ball. Newmarket grew in confidence and points followed from John Lane, Kevin O’Sullivan and a fine solo effort from Tony O’Keeffe to leave the score at 0-5 to 0-2 after fifteen minutes.

Kilbrin hit back with an equalizing goal in the eighteenth minute and in a free flowing contest the sides again exchanged the next brace of points, with the excellent Michael Kenneally on target for Newmarket. Kilbrin gained a slender lead on getting the next point but in keeping with the trend of the half the lead would change hands on another two occasions, before the end of the half. John Lane and Tony O’Keeffe edged Newmarket in front but two Kilbrin points, the first which saw the sides level for the sixth time in the half, left the half time score at 1-6 to 0-8 in the home sides favour.

Kilbrin raced into a three point lead on adding two points within three minutes of the restart. Newmarket pointed next with a fine point from Michael Kenneally but two further Kilbrin points saw them gain a four point advantage. Barry O’Leary found the target with another fine effort but once more Kilbrin answered with a point. Newmarket’s challenge was boosted considerably when Michael Kenneally raced in on goal and produced a fine finish to the net after some fine approach play, to leave the game nicely poised at 1-11 to 1-10.

However, Kilbrin proved more clinical and they had the next three points. John Lane pointed a free for Newmarket as the game entered the closing ten minutes but once again Kilbrin pointed next to restore a four point lead. A resilient Newmarket were rewarded for their endeavours when despite going close to scoring a goal on several occasions throughout and being denied by some excellent Kilbrin goalkeeping, they found the net for a second time when Kieran Lehane met a long delivery from John Lane to flick the ball home. Within a minute, John Lane slotted over a free and once more the sides were level, 1-15 to 2-12 with just five minutes remaining. The home side hit back with a point and clinched victory with a decisive second goal in the closing minutes to finally put paid to Newmarket in a very entertaining contest.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		Brendan Stack		Vincent Molloy
Shane Murphy		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-3)		Robert Stack
	Colin O’Sullivan		John Lane (0-4)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-2)		Michael Kenneally (1-2)		Donnacha O’Dea
Kieran Lehane (1-0)		Barry O’Leary (0-1)		John Scanlon