Starting on Sunday we will post a report on the Kiskeam game, followed by the other Duhallow championship games. On Wednesday we will have the game against Crosshaven, when Newmarket played in Meelin jerseys. Then it will be the 2 games against Brian Dillons. Finally on Saturday December 6th 2008, 10 years after the match, we will post the report from the final itself, played before 10,000 spectators in Charleville.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Glory day for Newmarket. Duhallow side regain county junior football title after a lapse of 28 years with superb victory over young Killavullen selection.

NEWMARKET regained the county junior football championship title after a lapse of 28 years, their only previous victory having been in 1970, when they overcame a mighty challenge from Killavullen in a great final at Charleville on Sunday.

It was a game of fast, vigorous football that throbbed with life from start to finish as two fine teams battled it out for the title.

At one stage of the second half it looked as if Newmarket were firmly on the road to victory, having scored five points without reply to go two in front by the 42nd minute, but Killavullen launched a great counter-attack in the last quarter and had only themselves to blame for at least not putting the game to a second meeting.

While they were assaulting the Newmarket defence in wave after wave of attack, the Killavullen forwards were very wasteful with their chances, shooting a succession of wides even from good positions.

Newmarket defended strongly, often forcing the Killavullen men to kick hurriedly to avoid tackles and that certainly contributed to their erratic shooting although not being the sole reason.

The tally of wides tells its own story, with Killavullen chalking up 18 wides over the hour to Newmarket’s five.

Newmarket triumphed because they used the ball to better effect when they went forward, especially during their period of superiority in the third quarter, during which they rattled over five points without reply in a twelve minute period.

Facing into the last quarter, the odds were very much on a Newmarket victory because of their dominance of the play from half time onwards, but then Killavullen won back the initiative and exerted a strong grip on the play between then and the end, but with very little reward.

The result sparked off massive celebrations by the Newmarket team and supporters, as one might expect, for it had taken the club a long time to climb the heights achieved in 1970 when their great team of that period beat Adrigole in the final.

There was only one direct family link with that side, with their centre half back on Sunday, Brian Daly — who had an outstanding game — following in the footsteps of his father, Billy, who played at midfield in the 1970 final.

Killavullen had never before contested a county final in this grade, with their victory in this year’s Avondhu championship being their first ever and they won the admiration of all present for a magnificent display, even though it was not enough in the end to bring them victory.

They started off in most impressive style, utilising their great speed and slick passing to put the Newmarket backs under severe pressure. By the ninth minute they were leading by three points to nil, two of their scores having come from frees by Martin Carroll and the other from Brian O’Driscoll. But already they were giving a foretaste of things to come when sending wide from other good chances.

After ten minutes Newmarket began to come strongly into the game, and they had their first score in the 12th minute when Tony O’Keeffe made a great goalward run before kicking a point from close range. That was followed by goaling efforts from Mark O’Sullivan and Danny Culloty, with the Lankford brothers, Rory and Padraig, saving the situation for Killavullen before John Paul O’Neill pointed for Newmarket at the end of a move involving Culloty and O’Sullivan.

After a period on the defensive, Killavullen drove forward again and points by Martin Carroll and David Hartnett had them leading by 0-5 to 0-2 by the 18th minute. Indeed, Newmarket were lucky that goalkeeper James Morgan was in tremendous form when he brought off a great save from Ian O’Driscoll in the 20th minute.

Morgan won the man of the match award after the game and not without good reason, for he not only frustrated Killavullen’s goaling efforts on several occasions but went high to bring down two balls heading over the bar as well.

Danny Culloty, who started at full-forward, came to midfield for Newmarket midway through the first half and made an immediate impression, teaming up with the outstanding Denis O’Brien to break the grip which Gene Kelleher and Paul Hartnett had earlier exerted for Killavullen in this region.

A great point from a free by Culloty, kicked from a distance off the hand after a good clearance out of defence by Maurice Hourigan, reduced Killavullen’s lead to two points in the 23rd minute, but Martin Carroll (from a free) extended it again to three (0-6 to 0-3) by the interval.

Despite the fact that they were trailing by three points at the break, the omens looked reasonably good for Newmarket, for they had settled in well after Killavullen’s blistering start and they could look forward to the wind advantage in the second half.

And it all began to come right for them as the second half got under way. Tony O’Keeffe had a point within two minutes of the restart, the ball coming to him via Michael Cottrell from Mark O’Sullivan’s sideline kick and Denis O’Brien added another point within a minute after having been sent away by Culloty.

Mark O’Sullivan brought Newmarket level with a point from a free in the 35th minute, stemming from a foul on Michael Cottrell after a move started in the half-back line by John Fitzpatrick and so complete had been the dominance of the Duhallow champions from the start of the second half that it looked as if they might be about to take full control of the game.

But those notions were soon scotched when Killavullen launched a few attacks which brought real threats of a goal. The first of these came when Martin Carroll sent the ball in low from a free and a save in the square averted the danger before Newmarket cornerback Michael O’Keeffe brought it away to effect a fine clearance.

Having survived these onslaughts, Newmarket began to put on pressure at the other end and scored two crucial points, the first by John Cronin from a pass by Mark O’Sullivan and the other by John Paul O’Neill, who took full advantage of a ball sent in from the right wing by Sean Francis O’Connor.

Newmarket threatened for a goal on another occasion when Michael Cottrell sent a high ball into the goalmouth, with Tony O’Keeffe in a favourable position behind the backs, but a great leap by full-back Padraig Lankford cut off the danger.

Approaching the last quarter, Killavullen began to step up their performance, with Brian O’Driscoll (who gave a great display over the hour) moving to midfield to make a big impression, the half-back line of John O’Regan, Liam Dorgan and in succession Paul Hartnett and Ian O’Driscoll, giving a strong back-up from that region and Gene Kelleher moving forward to figure prominently in an attack which was ably led by team captain Martin Carroll.

The result was that Killavullen launched attack after attack but reaped no benefit on the scoreboard with the ball being driven wide time after time and the Newmarket backs showing considerable skill in blocking down goaling attempts, with their full-back line of Michael O’Keeffe, Dan Murphy and David Allen being very steady.

From one of their few raids during this period, Mark O’Sullivan pointed a free for Newmarket to put them three points clear with eleven minutes to go.

Almost unbelievably considering their strong performance-through the field and their promising approach work, Killavullen’s first score in the second half did not come until the closing minutes of the game. Alan O’Driscoll fired over a point, which was followed by another from Brian O’Driscoll just before the final whistle to leave them still a point short.

And so the result was a great victory for Newmarket who had to survive the loss of a number of key players during the campaign and gallant display by a young Killavullen side which will surely be heard of again.

The match was played on 6th of December in Charleville before 10,000 people, final score was Newmarket 0-09 to Killavullen 0-08. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Dave Allen
John Fitzpatrick		Brian Daly		Maurice Hourigan
	Michael Cottrell		Denys O’Brien (0-1)
John Cronin (0-1)		John Paul O’Neill (0-2) Captain		Tony O’Keeffe (0-2)
Mark O’Sullivan (0-2, 0-2 frees)		Danny Culloty (0-1, 0-1 free)		Sean Francis O’Connor
Subs: John Dugdale, Jerry McCarthy, John Sheehan

Killavullen: R Lankford, E O’Connor, P Lankford, B Hayes, J O’Regan, B O’Driscoll, L Dorgan, G Kelleher, P Hartnett, D Hartnett, M Carroll, A O’Driscoll, M Whelan, I O’Driscoll, J Taylor. Sub: T Carroll.

Scorers for Killavullen: B O’Driscoll (0-2), D Hartnett (0-1), M Carroll (0-4, 0-3 frees), I O’Driscoll (0-1).

Referee: Michael Collins, Clonakilty.

By John Joe Brosnan.

First half avalanche of scores scupper Brian Dillons’ hopes in county junior football semi-final replay.

A marvelous first-half display set Newmarket firmly on course for an impressive victory over Brian Dillon’s, the city champions, in the replay of their junior football championship semi-final at Kilmurry on Sunday.

Turning over with a ten point lead (1-8 to 0-1), the Duhallow champions never looked like being caught afterwards, but they had to put in a mighty effort to keep a rejuvenated Brian Dillon’s side at bay.

The extent of which the trend of play changed is illustrated by the fact that Newmarket only added a point to their half-time tally while Brian Dillon’s scored five points at the other end.

A big half-time lead is not an unmitigated blessing, for it induces a defensive attitude, while the team that has fallen heavily in arrears, with nothing to lose, will gain in confidence with every inroad they can make into the lead.

This was the situation in the second half of Sunday’s game. After being totally outplayed in the first half, Brian Dillon’s snapped the initiative after the resumption and put the Newmarket backs under great pressure at times.

But luckily for Newmarket they were able to soak up the pressure and able to limit the Brian Dillon’s scoring rate to such an extent that the margin did not fall below seven points until the game had entered into injury time.

Without doubt, a goal would have given an enormous boost to the Brian Dillon’s effort, to come seriously into contention, and the fact that it never materialized, was a tribute to the Newmarket backs, and especially to goalkeeper James Morgan, who brought off a marvellous save from James Horgan four minutes into the second half.

The Brian Dillon’s forward, who played impressively throughout, sent a powerful low shot, through a crowded goal mouth and the Newmarket keeper, whose vision was impeded, showed lightening reaction to go down on the ball and make a spectacular save.

It was one of Morgan’s many fine saves in the Newmarket goal during the game.

By the three quarters stage, Brian Dillon’s had only knocked 2 points off Newmarket’s interval lead, and it was obvious by that stage, barring a scoring rush by the city side in the last quarter, that Newmarket were heading for a meeting with Killavullen in the final at Charleville on Dec 6th.

This will be Newmarket’s first appearance in the final of the competition in 28 years, the last occasion being in 1970 when they beat Adrigole to take the title for the only time.

Their performance in the first half of Sunday’s game, on very heavy ground, was spectacular. They ran a good Brian Dillon’s side, which had proved its metal the previous Sunday, into the ground with a display of speed, grit and precision football that was a joy to behold.

Dominating in most sectors of the field, and especially at midfield, where Michael Cottrell and Denis O’Brien were very strong and resourceful, they reduced the Brian Dillon’s men to almost a spectator role while they played the ball around to each other and ran up a very sizeable tally.

The extent to which Newmarket controlled the play is illustrated by the fact that Brian Dillon’s did not get their first score of the half hour until four minutes before the interval, by which time Newmarket had 1-8 on the board.

And, to give a further example of the trend of play, Newmarket had five wides during the period to one for the city side.

Mark O’Sullivan was the star of the Newmarket attack in the first half, scoring six points, but the other forwards all shared in the credit with their supporting play, which created the openings.

And their pointing tally was supplemented by a great goal by Sean Francis O’Connor, in the 19th minute, to put them 1-5 to 0-0 ahead at that stage.

The scoring avalanche started in the second minute when Denis O’Brien won possession at midfield and passed to Michael Cottrel, who sent Mark O’Sullivan away for a fine point.

Keeping up the pressure, Newmarket forced two frees in the next five minutes which O’Sullivan converted into points.

They created a few goaling chances as well, but the slippery ground prevented O’Sullivan and Colin Stack from applying the finishing touches when finding it hard to keep their balance.

Brian Dillon’s were making little ground against a solid Newmarket defence in which the halfback line of John Fitzpatrick, Brian Daly and Maurice Hourigan played very confidently, and it was disappointing for them when, after their few promising raids, James Horgan’s pointing effort from a free came back off the post and was cleared.

Newmarket extended their lead in the thirteenth minute when Tony O’Keeffe made a great run from the left wing and gave the ball to Michael Cottrell who dropped it over the bar.

That was followed in the seventeenth minute by a spectacular point by Mark O’Sullivan from a sideline kick at an acute angle on the left.

Two minutes later Newmarket were through for a goal when Mark O’Sullivan sent the ball in from a forty five and Sean Francis O’Connor blasted it to the net when it was returned from the goal mouth.

The Duhallow were eight points clear at that stage and Brian Dillon’s were getting few opportunities to reduce the margin, so effective were Newmarket in all sectors of the field. And when the city men did look dangerous, on one occasion, Michael Cottrell (who was having a marvellous game) saved in front of goal and effected a great clearance.

Mark O’Sullivan was sent away by Tony O’Keeffe for another point in the twenty first minute, and then, after good work by John Paul O’Neill, O’Sullivan was the provider for John Cronin to find the target a minute later. That score was followed in the twenty fourth minute by a great effort by O’Sullivan who secured possession about forty meters out and managed to kick the ball over the bar even though losing balance on the slippery sod.

Brian Dillon’s who must have been wondering how Newmarket had raised their game so spectacularly from the previous Sunday, got a crumb of comfort shortly before half time when John Crowley kicked their first score from far out.

Faced by a ten point interval deficit, the city champions came out for the second half with fierce determination to get into the game. And it was not long before they began to make an impact, even though they had only a point by James Horgan to show for a lot of pressure in the first 12 minutes of the period.

With Tom Fitzgerald and John Crowley making a much bigger impact at midfield, and the team generally adopting an attacking role, crowding the midfield area as the backs moved out to lend a hand, Brian Dillon’s stepped up enormously on their first half display and threw Newmarket on the defensive for a considerable period.

But to their credit, Newmarket’s backs showed great resilience in extricating themselves from many tight situations, with the full back line of Michael O’Keeffe, Dan Murphy and Dave Allen, playing with great tenacity and the midfielders and even the half forwards falling back to help.

Newmarket’s scoring opportunities were very limited at this stage and they had the frustration of missing a few scores from frees before Mark O’Sullivan pointed in the 42nd minute. That, as it transpired was to be their only score of the second half.

Three points for Brian Dillon’s, one by Richard O’Callaghan and the other two by Ken Cotter, who was working like a trojan in their attack, had the margin down to seven points with 12 minutes to go.

There was concern but no panic on the Newmarket side, for they were coping well with the pressure and creating the odd scoring chance themselves even though they were not successful in adding to their tally.

Indeed, on a few occasions Newmarket opened up the Brian Dillon’s defence and threatened for a goal but the slippery ground was not conducive to slick forward play and the chances passed,

On one occasion, from a punched effort from Mark O’Sullivan for a point, the ball dropped under the bar to the net but it did not count.

As the last quarter progressed it became more and more obvious that the brave effort by Brian Dillon’s to turn the game around was not going to succeed, and they had to wait until injury time to reduce the margin to 6 points by James Horgan.

Newmarket had overall reason to be very pleased with their performance for they played copy book football in the first half and they defended well in the second period when Brian Dillon’s threw everything they had at them

The Duhallow side had to line out without Danny Culloty and were in all down five members of the team that had played in the Duhallow final (two others injured and two others gone abroad).

Culloty was not missed in the first half when the team struck inspirational form, but his steadying influence and leadership qualities would surely have been valuable assets when they came under pressure in the second period.

However, they achieved their objective of getting to the County Final and there will now be enormous interest all over the North Cork area in their forthcoming clash with Killavullen who also played impressively when beating Donoughmore recently in the other semi-final.

The match was played on 22nd of November in Kilmurry, Final score was Newmarket 1-09 to Brian Dillons 0-06. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Dave Allen
John Fitzpatrick		Brian Daly		Maurice Hourigan
	Michael Cottrel (0-1)		Denis O’Brien
John Cronin (0-1)		John Paul O’Neill Capt.		Tony O’Keeffe
Sean Francis O’Connor (1-0)		Mark O’Sullivan (0-7, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline)		Colin Stack
Subs: Jerry McCarthy, John McSweeney.

Brian Dillons – B Allen, D Whelan, K O’Mahony, P Attridge, A Whelan, B Deane, D McCarthy, T Fitzgerald, J Crowley, J Horgan, R O’Callaghan, P Triggs, K Cotter, J Corcoran, P O’Brien. Sub: S Googin for P O’Brien.

Scorers for Brian Dillons: J. Horgan 0-2 (0-1 free), K Cotter 0-2, J. Crowley, R O’Callaghan 0-1 each.

Referee – Paul Higgins, Ballincollig.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Newmarket to face Brian Dillons again after disappointing junior football draw

NEWMARKET and Brian Dillons will have to meet again this Sunday in Kilmurry in the replay of the Co JAFC semi-final.

On Sunday last in dramatic circumstances Brian Dillons, with a late rally, forced the equalising point that has now led to next Sunday’s replay and the postponement of the final. The game never reached the heights expected and the number of wides kicked by both sides was enormous when one considers there was no wind. The game was played in dry, calm, heavy conditions.

From the outset the City side gained control at midfield where Tom Fitzgerald and John Crowley were to do very well. Paul Triggs opened the scoring for Brian Dillons with a first minute pointed free. Two minutes later a Danny Culloty free to Mark O’Sullivan was narrowly wide. From the kickout, Alan Whelan made a good run combining with Donough McCarthy who kicked deep to Maurice Carey who was fouled on the 21 line mark. James Horgan pointed the resultant free.

Newmarket fought back well and a good passing movement by Danny Cullolty and Michael Cottrell led to a foul with Mark O’Sulliivan pointed the resultant free. Newmarket now looked sharp cutting through the Brian Dillons defense but lacking finish. Denis O’Brien and John Fitzpatrick set up Mark O’Sullivan who kicked wide in the eighth minute.

At the other end a foul on John Crowley led to a free by James Horgan that also went narrowly wide. Newmarket were unlucky two minutes later when a high ball by Michael Cottrell came back off the crossbar and was cleared to safety.

Continuous pressure in the 13th minute led to a goal when Michael Cottrell and O’Sullivan combined to set up the inrushing John Paul O’Neill whose kick found its way to the net off the keeper Brian Allen, 1-1 to 0-2. Donough McCarthy had a bad wide for Brian Dillons at the end of the first quarter.

Good work by the impressive Brendan Deane and Richard O’Callaghan led to Paul O’Brien kicking wide for the City side. Brian Dillons continued to attack up front and a good pass by Tom Fitzgerald to Maurice Carey could have resulted in a goal before he was brought down. The resultant free by Paul Triggs dropped short and was cleared by James Morgan in goal. Brian Dillons pointed in the 21st minute when Tom Fitzgerald kicked a long range free between the posts, 1-1 to 0-3.

Newmarket responded with Denis O’Brien and Mark O’Sullivan in a good run with O’Sullivan giving the return pass to O’Brien who punched wide from close range. John Paul O’Neill was also wide for Newmarket before Danny Culloty found Mark O’Sullivan well placed. However, O’Sullivan’s attempt at goal was well saved by the brilliant Brian Allen and the rebound went to John P O’Neill whose attempt was expertly saved in a reflex manner by Allen. Further pressure led to Michael Cottrell kicking wide.

In the 25th minute a good solo run by Derek Whelan to the impressive Maurice Carey went wide. Newmarket had another wide before John Cronin forced Brian Allen to make another great save. Brian Dillons in an attempt to force level before half time had two late wides while Mark O’Sullivan was also off target with a Newmarket free. At the break Newmarket led 1-1 to 0-3.

During the first half the city side had failed to score from play, while Newmarket’s goal was the only score from play in the opening 30 minutes. Newmarket looked good on the changeover. However their attack continued to be off target. Mark O’Sullivan kicked two early wides before pointing in the 33rd minute. John P O’Neill set up John Cronin who kicked wide in the 35th minute. At the other end a foul on Richard O’Callaghan led to a free which was also wide by Paul Triggs.

Tom Fitzgerald and Danny Culloty both kicked a wide each from frees before Mark O’Sullivan in the 40th minute punched point after the Brian Dillons keeper made a good interception denying the Newmarket side a certain goal, 1-3 to 0-3.

In the 42nd minute a foul on James Horgan led to Brian Dillons penalty. Paul Triggs well taken kick to the right corner gave the keeper no chance, 1-3 each Dillons had still not scored from play. Maurice Carey had a chance of putting the city side ahead but was narrowly wide.

They did go ahead in the 45th minute when Paul O’Brien set up James Horgan for a well taken point. This was their first score from play. A great movement started in defence by Kieran O’Mahony, Brendan Deane, Paul Triggs, Tom Fitzgerald and Ken Cotter led to Maurice Carey being narrowly wide. Newmarket moved John P O’Neill to the half line and he created a number of chances for the Duhallow side. A foul on Mark O’Sullivan after being well placed by Brian Daly led to the equaliser, a pointed free by O’Sullivan, 1-4 each in the 48th minute.

Newmarket now gained the initiative and a good movement started by Mark O’Sullivan, Danny Culloty and John P O’Neill led to Brian Allen making another fine save in the 52nd minute. Mark O’Sullivan restored the lead for the Duhallow side when sending over a long range free. Soon after O’Sullivan and John Cronin were to combine for Denis O’Brien to kick an excellent point, 1-6 to 1-4.

At this stage Newmarket seemed destined for the final, doing well in all sectors. However their finish let them down. A good atempt at a point by John Fitzpatrick was narrowly wide. This score was disputed by Danny Culloty who was booked by the referee on being called by the umpire. Culloty was sent to the line.

There were four minutes remaining. Brian Dillons recovered well as Newmarket were shell shocked and they were unlucky kicking two wides by Maurice Carey. and Tom Fitzgerald. Maurice Carey cut the lead to a point in the 59th minute.

In injury time a great movement by Brian Allen, Kieran O’Mahony, Alan Whelan, Tom Fitzgerald, Maurice Carey led to Paul Triggs attempt being forced out for a 45. The resultant 45 by Tom Fitzgerald was saved by James Morgan. Deep in injury time in a last gasp effort Tom Fitzgerald and Derek Whelan combined for John Crowley to kick the all important point that forced the replay.

Best for Newmarket were James Morgan, Denis O’Brien, John Cronin, Michael Cottrell, Mark O’Sullivan and John P O’Neill.

For Brian Dillons Brian Allen, Brendan Deane, Tom Fitzgerald, John Crowley, James Horgan, Paul Triggs and the industrious Maurice Casey were best.

The match was played on 15th of November in Kilmurry, Final score was Newmarket 1-06 to Brian Dillons 1-06. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Dave Allen
John Fitzpatrick		Brian Daly		Maurice Hourigan
	Danny Culloty		Denys O’Brien (0-1)
John Cronin		Michael Cottrell		Sean Francis O’Connor
Tony O’Keeffe		John Paul O’Neill (1-0) Capt.		Mark O’Sullivan (0-5, 0-3 frees)
Subs: John Sheehan.

Brian Dillons – B Allen, D whelan, K O’Mahony, P Attridge, A Whelan, B Deane, D McCarthy, T Fitzgerald, J Crowley, J Horgan, R O’Callaghan, P Triggs, K Cotter, P O’Brien, M Carey, Sub: J Corcoran for P O’Brien, S Googin for D McCarthy.

Scorers for Brian Dillons: P. Triggs 1-1 (1-0 penalty, 0-1 free), J. Horgan 0-2 (0-1 free), T. Fitzgerald, J. Crowley, M. Carey 0-1 each.

Referee – Paul Higgins, Ballincollig.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Newmarket stroll past Crosshaven in physical junior football quarter-Final

Newmarket qualified to meet city champions, Brian Dillons, in the county junior football championship when they scored a decisive victory over Crosshaven, the Carrigdhoun representatives in a tough contest at Glantane on Saturday.

The final score might suggest that this was an easy canter for Newmarket but far from it. They were by far the more accomplished side all through and had the game more or less sewn up by half-time when they led by 1-6 to 0-1 but Crosshaven were a physically strong, hard tackling side who played with great vigour and certainly left the Duhallow champions aware that they had been in a game.

Crosshaven finished the hour with thirteen men, having had two players sent off for late tackles in the second half, but it really made little difference. for Newmarket had matters in safe keeping by then,with their backs playing so impressively that Crosshaven rarely threatened for a score.

Crosshaven were also strong in defence for most of the game, something that might seem a contradiction considering Newmarket’s final tally. The fact is that Newmarket scored 1-4 in a ten minute burst late in the first half, and had to battle for every score before and afterwards.

It was, indeed, somewhat worrying for Newmarket when, despite looking the better side from the start, they just led by a single point (0-2 to 0-1) after twenty-five minutes. Credit that to a solid Crosshaven defence which soaked up a lot of pressure, extricating themselves from dangerous situations time and again.

It all came good for Newmarket in the last ten minutes of the first half, however, when they got through for a succession of good scores, with a goal by Sean Francis O’Connor giving them an enormous boost.

There were five minutes of injury time played in this half as a result of stoppage early on which left Mark O’Sullivan and Crosshaven full-back Brian Coniry stretched on the ground and badly shaken after a collision.

Turning over with a lead of eight points, Newmarket had to maintain a strong effort all through the second half to keep Crosshaven from coming back at them. They succeeded in doing so because of an impressive display right through the field, with all sectors of their team measuring up to task.

Being forced to lineout without three players who had served them well in the Duhallow fianl against Millstreet, Newmarket had reason to feel pleased that the replacements David Allen, Brian Daly and Sean Francis O’Connor all played very well, proving that strength in depth is important for any side with serious championship aspirations.

Danny Culloty, who sustained a dislocated finger in the closing minutes of the Duhallow final, was able to resume duty and once again gave a masterful performance (helping out in defence and attack as well as at midfield), with his midfield partner, Denis O’Brien, also giving a great display.

Because of Newmarket’s thirteen point margin at the end, there might be an impression that Crosshaven were a very poor side, but that might be to overstate the case. They beat an ambitious Kinsale team, trained by former Tipperary coach Seamus McCarthy in the Carrigdhoun final and had hopes of making a reasonable impact in the county championship after that victory.

Their physical strength and strong tackling a bit over the top at times, one might say might have upset many a team but, Newmarket showed their mettle when standing up to it and their overall performance was very impressive.

Having been postponed twice and switched from Coachford to Glantane because of ground conditions, the game was played on a pitch that was in exceptionally good shape considering recent heavy rain, but there was a swirling cross wind which did not confer any distinct advantage on either side but made players a bit careful with their shooting.

The paucity of scores in the first twenty minutes came as a surprise, and a good deal of frustration for Newmarket, who were dominating the play but not reaping a reward on the scoreboard.

John Paul O’Neill opened their tally in the 4th minute after a move involving Denis O’Brien and Mark O’Sullivan but after that there was a long period without a score even though Newmarket threatened on a number of occasions.

Perhaps because of the influence of the wind, they mostly elected to work the ball in close to goal before trying for scores, only to be met by a very solid Crosshaven defence which gave little away.

Frustrated by the lack of scores, the Newmarket supporters gave a big cheer to Denis O’Brien when he sent over a good point from distance in the 20th minute after Mark O’Sullivan had crossed the ball from a free.

The Crosshaven forwards were being well contained at the other end by an impressive Newmarket defence, and considering the trend of play it was a significant bonus for them when Jamie Fitzgerald pointed a free to leave only a point between the teams after 22 minutes.

Nobody would have guessed it at that time, but that was to prove Crosshaven’s only score during the hour.

Newmarket’s spirits rose when John Cronin made a run forward in the 25th minute to score a great point after good work by Denis O’Brien and Sean Francis O’Connor and they got further encouragement when O’Brien followed with another point after taking a pass from John Paul O’Neill.

Then, just at the end of normal time, Newmarket went through for the goal that really put them in the driving seat. Danny Culloty sent the ball into the goalmouth from a free, wher Tony O’Keeffe grabbed it and passed to Mark O’Sullivan, who delivered the ball out to Sean Francis O’Connor and the latter lost no time in sending a great shot to the net through a crowded goalmouth.

As the first half went into injury time Newmarket kept up the pressure and had two further points in quick succession, with Mark O’Sullivan pointing a free and Sean Francis O’Connor adding another from play.

Crosshaven were reduced to thirteen men when they had two players sent off in the first ten minutes of the second half. Maintaining their control of the play, Newmarket had two points in quick succession, the first from Denis O’Brien after a Mark O’Sullivan free (following good work by Tony O’Keeffe) and the second by Michael Cottrell, who was playing very impressively, after a good play from John Cronin.

Cronin and Cottrell were also involved in the next move which led to a score, combining to send John Paul 0′neill away for a point and then Sean Francis O’Connor, who was showing excellent form, sent over two points which boosted Newmarket’s lead to thirteen points

Crosshaven made several attempts to add to their tally but were stumpted at every turn by a Newmarket defence which never put a foot astray.

In the late stages Newmarket lost the srvices of three players who had been playing well, with John Paul O’Neill and Michael O’Keeffe being forced off through injury and Tony O’Keeffe being withdrawn after recieving a heavy tackle.

By that stage Newmarket were thinking ahead to next Sunday’s semi-final against Brian Dillons for they had Crosshaven’s challenge well and truly seen off.

The match was played on 7th of November in Glantane, Final score was Newmarket 1-11 to Crosshaven 0-01. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		David Allen
Dermot Moynihan		Brian Daly		Maurice Hourigan
	Danny Culloty		Denis O’Brien (0-3)
John Cronin (0-1)		Michael Cottrell (0-1)		Sean Francis O’Connor (1-3)
Tony O’Keeffe		Mark O’Sullivan (0-1 free)		John Paul O’Neill (0-2) Capt.
Subs: Donal O’Sullivan, John Fitzpatrick & John Mcsweeney.

Crosshaven – J Middleton, A Coniry, B Coniry, G Ryan, E Buckley, H Sisk, D Ryan, J McSweeney, D Buckley, J Canty, B O’Rourke, E Casey, D Middleton, P Casey, J Fitzgerald, Sub: P O’Keeffe for D Middleton, M McMullen for J Canty.

Scorers for Crosshaven: J. Fitzgerald 0-1 (free).

Referee – Ray O’Sullivan, Kilmurray.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Newmarket take title in thriller

NEWMARKET won their eighth Duhallow football title, and their first since 1993, when they beat Millstreet by a point in a thrilling final at Banteer on Sunday.

The closing stages were packed with drama when Millstreet cut the margin to the minimum with two minutes of ordinary time left, and battled unavailingly for the equaliser in the remaining five minutes of play, with three minutes of injury time being played.

After ten minutes of the second half it looked as if Newmarket were in a very strong position when they led by five points, but a goal at the three quarter stage brought Millstreet back into contention and the scores were level twice before Newmarket eventually took the game by the narrowest of margins.

Originally fixed for Kiskeam, the game was transferred to Banteer after an inspection of the Kiskeam ground on the Saturday morning, and the Kiskeam club members assisted by the Banteer officials handled the arrangements with great efficiency.

Newmarket were the pre-match favourites because of their impressive display against Kanturk the previous Sunday, and also because their line-up included a third of the Duhallow side that had run Bantry Blues to five points in the county senior final a fortnight previously.

Millstreet were fielding their first team in this championship for the first time in 35 years, and the belief that they would not be easily beaten proved correct when they stayed within a point of Newmarket in a closely contested first half and rallied strongly in the second period after Newmarket had opened up a five point gap.

With the teams being well matched throughout the field, Mark O’Sullivan’s marksmanship for Newmarket proved a crucial factor in their victory. He scored eight points, five from play, with his three points in the first four minutes of the second half giving them an advantage that made Millstreet’s task a very difficult one.

But all credit to Millstreet for rescuing the game when it seemed to be slipping away from them. The goal by Kevin McCarthy in the 45th minute, after Liam O’Connor had sent the ball into the square, provided the break they needed to retrieve their fortunes.

From then on the destination of the title was very much in the balance, and it took all of Newmarket’s strength and ingenuity to prevent them from at least forcing a replay.

Newmarket got off to a good start when Michael Cottrell pointed in the second minute after gaining possession from Tony O’Keeffe, who had run to a ball kicked in by Mark O’Sullivan from a move started in the half-back line by Maurice Hourigan.

After Newmarket had made most of the running in the earlt stages, Millstreet created the first real goaling chance in the fifth minute when it took a great save by Newmarket Goalkeeper James Morgan to prevent Finbarr O’Leary from finding the net after John O’Sullivan had kicked the ball in from the side-line.

Shortly afterwards there was drama at the other end when the Millstreet keeper Jerry Pat O’Leary, saved a punched ball from Mark O’Sullivan at close range.

O’Sullivan Pointed for Newmarket from a 45 in the tenth minute, but soon afterwards Millstreet opene their account when Kevin McCarthy pointed after taking a pass from John O’Sullivan, the move having been initiated by Seanie Barrett, who was one of Millstreet’s most dynamic players.

A few great catches at midfield by Danny Culloty delighted Newmarket supporters in the subsequent play. Culloty was, as usual, a major player on the Newmarket side, With Denis O’Brien also playing strongly at midfield.

But they hadn’t matters all their own way there, for Michael Thornton and John O’Sullivan also played very well in the centre for Millstreet, with both of them moving forward into attacking positions at times.

Nearing the end of the first quarter, Mark O’Sullivan raced in from the left to kick a Newmarket point, but Millstreet responded quickly when Niall Kelleher pointed after taking a pass from Finbarr O’Leary, who had raced out to a centre by William O’Leary.

Millstreet narrowly missed the chance of the equaliser when William O’Leary’s kick from a free on the right wing came back of the post, to be cleared by Kieran Quilter and taken upfield by Dermot Moynihan.

In a Newmarket raid Patrick Coleman saved a dangerous situation for Millstreet when he punched the ball out of Mark O’Sullivan’s reach in the square, the ball having been sent in by Tony O’Keeffe. And subsequently the Millstreet backs covered a threatening goalward burst by John Paul O’Neill after good work by Jerry McCarthy on the left wing.

Newmarket increased the margin to two points in the 25th minute when John Cronin punched over the bar after taking a pass from Mark O’Sullivan, the move having been started by Denis O’Brien.

However Millstreet hit back again and equalised with two points in quick succession, the first being sent over by Finbarr O’Leary and the second by John O’Sullivan after a great solo run.

Just before the interval Newmarket regained the lead, with a clearance from the half-back line by Maurice Hourigan reaching John Cronin, who raced forward to kick over the bar, leaving the half time score O-5 to 0-4 in Newmarket’s favour.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Newmarket well on top and scoring five points to Millstreet’s one, to leave a margin of five points between the teams (0-10 to 0-5).

The first three points were scored by Mark O’Sullivan and the others by John Cronin and John Paul O’Neill, while Michael Thornton had Millstreet’s point after combining well with John O’Sullivan in a move started by Niall Kelleher.

At that stage it looked as if Newmarket were getting a real stranglehold on the game, but Millstreet, to their credit, battled back in determined fashion and were narrowly wide from a free in a favourable position before Michael Thornton pointed after a centre by Liam O’Connor, who had just come on the team.

Then the break that Millstreet badly needed came at the three quarter stage when Liam O’Connor kicked a long ball into the square and Kevin McCarthy finished it to the net when it broke in the goalmouth.

The game was now up for grabs again as Millstreet played with renewed heart and energy, Anthony O’Callaghan bursting in from the left wing to kick the equalising point with 12 minutes to go.

There was now a real buzz around the ground, with Millstreet’s fortunes having risen enormously in a few minutes and Newmarket wondering whether they could regain the control they had exerted earlier.

Points from frees by Mark O’Sullivan and William O’Leary left the scores still deadlocked before O’Sullivan pushed Newmarket two points in front, kicking the first from a free and the second after a pass from Sean Francis O’Connor, who gained possession from a delivery by Danny Culloty.

Newmarket pushed hard to clinch the issue, with Michael Cottrell and John Paul O’Neill making a few determined goalward dashes, but the Millstreet backs held firm and went upfield from a clearance by Niall Kelleher to reduce the margin to the minimum with a pointed free by John O’Sullivan.

Excitement was at a high pitch as Millstreet battled hard for an equaliser, but Newmarket gave no further ground and were still a point to the good at the final whistle.

Amidst great jubilation, the cup was presented to the Newmarket captain, John Paul O’Neill, by Jerry Keating, chairman of the Duhallow Board, who praise both teams for serving up a great sporting game.

The match was played on 18th of October in Banteer, Final score was Newmarket 0-13 to Millstreet 1-09. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Kieran Quilter
Dermot Moynihan		James Cashman		Maurice Hourigan
	Danny Culloty		Denis O’Brien
John Cronin (0-3)		Michael Cottrell (0-1)		Jerry McCarthy
Tony O’Keeffe		John Paul O’Neill (0-1) Capt.		Mark O’Sullivan (0-8, 0-2 frees, 0-1 45)
Subs: Sean Francis O’Connor, Brian Daly.

Millstreet – JP O’Leary, J Cronin, P Coleman, M Dennehy, D Twomey, D Cashman, R Burke, M Thornton, J O’Sullivan, S Barrett, N Kelleher, K McCarthy, W O’Leary, A O’Callaghan, F O’Leary, Sub: L O’Connor for R Burke, j Keating for K McCarthy.

Scorers for Millstreet: K. McCarthy 1-1, M. Thornton, J O’Sullivan 0-2 (0-1 free), N. Kelleher, F. O’Leary, A. O’Callaghan, W. O’Leary (free) 0-1 each.

Referee – Donie O’Connor, knocknagree.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Newmarket qualified to meet Millstreet in the Duhallow football final, when a late goal proved crucial in their two point victory over Kanturk in a thrilling semi-final played before a big attendance (gate receipts £4,020) at Boherbue on Sunday.

The goal came a minute before the end of normal time, when Michael Cottrell took the ball on a solo run through the Kanturk defence before giving goalkeeper Colman Lane no chance with a shot from close range.

It gave Newmarket a three point advantage with time running out, but Kanturk battled back with fierce determination and scored two points in injury time, one of which only grazed over the crossbar, before Newmarket sealed their victory with a last minute point from a free.

It was a great contest from start to finish between two superbly fit and well matched teams, with the scores being level four times and never more than three points between them at any stage.

Newmarket led by a point at half time, and were three points in front after ten minutes of the second half. But Kanturk battled back strongly and went a point in front in the 55th minute, only to be pulled back to level terms before Newmarket’s late goal put them in the driving seat.

On a pitch made heavy by overnight rain, the teams found scoring diffcult in the early stages due to strong defensive play at both ends. Cathal Cronin, racing up from the half back line, had a point for Kanturk in the 2nd minute, but it was not until the end of the first quarter that Newmarket had their first score, when Mark O’Sullivan, taking a pass from John Paul O’Neill after John Cronin had initiated the move, streaked away on one of his typical runs to send a low shot to the net.

Aidan O’Keeffe pointed for Kanturk in the 18th Minute, after taking a pass from Frank Healy, and Mark O’Sullivan responded with a Newmarket point from a free, before Kanturk got a huge boost when they went through for a goal in the 24th minute.

That score came from Frank Healy, who turned on a burst of speed to run through the Newmarket defence after having been sent away by Alan Buckley, who had secured possession from a well judged pass from Dave O’Riordan.

Mark O’Sullivan brought Newmarket level, when he pointed in the 25th minute, having gained possession from a long ball by Danny Culloty, and Jerry McCarthy added another point, before Timothy Healy sent a high ball over the bar to bring Kanturk level in the 28th minute.

It looked as if the teams would go in level at the break, but just before the half time whistle, Newmarket surged forward and Danny Culloty shot a point to make it 1-4 to 1-3 in their favour, facing the second half.

The exchanges in the first half suggested that it would be a battle all the way to the line for a place in the final, for the teams were well matched in all sectors and were playing with fierce determination.

Newmarket got off to a good start to the second half, when Mark O’Sullivan pointed a free within a minute, but three minutes later, Kanturk responded when Timothy Healy pointed after taking a pass from Aidan O’Keeffe, the move starting after good work at midfield by Jerome Walsh.

The next two points were scored by Newmarket to put them three in front. The first came when John Cronin made a good burst from the half forward line before sending over and the second from a good move started by Tony O’Keeffe, continued by Denis O’Brien and finished by Michael Cottrell, who took the final pass.

A three point lead 1-7 to 1-4 after ten minutes of the second half seemed significant enough considering the strength of the defences and the difficulty of getting scores, not least because of a crosswind which affected shooting.

Certainly, if Newmarket had gone further ahead at that stage, Kanturk would have been in serious trouble, but that did not happen because Kanturk stepped up their performance and it was they who were on the attack for a considerable period.

They reaped the benefit with four points without reply, two from Timothy Healy and one each from Donagh Duane and Dave O’Riordan to go a point in front with five minutes to go.

They looked the more likely side to win at that stage, for they were putting severe pressure on the Newmarket backs, but in a raid upfield, Newmarket snatched the equaliser, when Jerry McCarthy pointed after getting possession from Michael Cottrell.

Then, from a throw in on the sideline, Newmarket launched the move that ended with the match winning goal.

Danny Culloty won the ball from the throw in, held it despite intense pressure and kicked it forward. Mark O’Sullivan tapped it on to the inrushing Michael Cottrell, and he took it a long distance before blazing it to the net.

Kanturk’s response was immediate. They got the ball down the field quickly and Aidan O’Keeffe shot for a goal, but the ball grazed over the bar instead. Continuing to play with great urgency, and with excitement at a high level as the game went into injury time, they won a free which Timothy Healy pointed to close the margin to the minimum.

But Newmarket refused to give further ground, and just before the end, Mark O’Sullivan pointed a free to clinch his team’s place in the final.

The match was played on 11th of October in Boherbue, Final score was Newmarket 2-09 to Kanturk 1-10. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Kieran Quilter
Dermot Moynihan		James Cashman		Maurice Hourigan
	Danny Culloty (0-1)		Denys O’Brien
John Cronin (0-1)		Michael Cottrell (1-1)		Jerry McCarthy (0-2)
John Fitzpatrick		John Paul O’Neill Capt.		Mark O’Sullivan (1-4, 0-3 frees)
Subs: David Allen for Kieran Quilter, Tony O’Keeffe for John Fitzpatrick, Paul Murphy for James Morgan

Kanturk: C Lane, P O’Reilly, B O Connell. J Healy, C Cronin. S Vaughan, J Murphv, J Walsh, P Kearns, D O’Riordan, T Burke, F Healy, A O’Keeffe, A Buckley, T Healy. Subs; D O’Connell for J Murphy, D Duane for P Kearns.

Scorers for Kanturk: T Healy 0-5 (0-1 free), F Healy 1-0, A O’Keeffe 0-2, C Cronin, D Duane, D O’Riordan 0-1 each.

Referee: Richard Murphy, Lyre.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Culloty inspires Newmarket to victory.

Strong finish ends Kiskeam’s reign as Duhallow junior football champions.

NEWMARKET qualified for the semi-final of the Duhallow junior football championship when a strong finish took them to victory over reigning champions Kiskeam in a hard-fought game played before a big attendance at Kanturk on Sunday.

Kiskeam led by a point with a quarter of an hour to go, but from then on Newmarket were the dominant side, shooting seven points to Kiskeam’s two to win by a four-point margin.

The game was still tightly balanced ten minutes from time, with Newmarket leading by two points, but four spectacular points between then and the end by Danny Culloty, who was undoubtedly the man of the match. sealed the issue in Newmarket’s favour.

Most of the scoring was packed into the second half, for the teams were very wasteful with their chances in the first thirty minutes, at the end of which Newmarket led by 1-1 to 0-2.

That was a very poor return for a lot of vigorous play, and could be put down to erratic shooting, good play by the respective defences and the failure of the forwards on both sides to play with any real cohesion.

Indeed, it was a disappointing first half, more notable for the frustration of both sides in their scoring efforts than for its positive elements.

Most of the good play came from the backs and midfielders. While there were some creditable individual efforts in attack, neither side displayed the teamwork one has come to expect of them, with attacking movements either breaking down or culminating in erratic shooting.

Matters improved in the second half, although Kiskeam never achieved their usual fluency, and it was not until the last quarter that Newmarket played their best football, first when they scored three points in quick succession and then when Danny Culloty took over in the midfield region and lofted over the points that proved crucial to the result.

The first 24 minutes of the game provided only two points, both scored by Kiskeam. Jimmy Dennehy had the first from a free in the 10th minute and ten minutes later, John Herlihy, playing at midfield instead of in his usual corner-forward position, shot the second.

Kiskeam looked the more threatening side during this period, but their shooting was erratic and their best chance of a goal was foiled when the Newmarket keeper, James Morgan, brought off a fine save from Eamon O’Mahony.

The Newmarket backs must get credit for good defending which mostly forced Kiskeam to go wide in their efforts to find a way through, thus making the angles more difficult.

With the Kiskeam backs also playing soundly, Newmarket were achieving little at the other end, with their efforts to string meaningful movements together being foiled by tight marking and some good interceptions.

However, the break that Newmarket had been seeking for a long time came in the 24th minute when midfielder Denis O’Brien raced forward with the ball and delivered towards the corner of the square, where John Paul O’Neill rose to it and punched to the net.

O’Neill tried for a second goal shortly afterwards after taking a good pass from John Fitzpatrick, only to have his shot saved by Kiskeam keeper Sam O’Sullivan.

Newmarket had their first point in the 26th minute when Denis O’Brien sent over alter being put in possession by John Sheehan. That sent them into the break leading by 1-1 to 0-2.

Two points from frees brought Kiskeam level within three minutes of the resumption. the first scored by Jimmy Dennehy and the second by Niall Cronin, and a point by David O’Leary, who gained possession from a free by Maurice Angland had them a point in front in the 40th minute.

With Newmarket being wasteful with their scoring chances during the third quarter during which they failed to score it looked as if Kiskeam were the more likely side to win due to their well known reputation for strong finishes.

But they failed to make further ground against the Newmarket defence, which was playing very solidly and the game took an important turn in Newmarket’s favour in the 47th minute when they scored three points in as many minutes.

John Sheehan fired the first shot in their rally when shooting a fine point after good work by John Cronin, one of their most impressive players on the day. John Paul O’Neill added another point immediately afterwards and Tony O’Keeffe (who had just come on the team) had the third after a good run through the Kiskeam defence.

Now trailing by two points, Kiskeam (who had suffered a blow when losing Jimmy Dennehy through injury in the 40th minute) attempted a recovery and a goaling effort was foiled when Newmarket keeper James Morgan saved from David O’Leary.

Then, with eight minutes to go, Danny Culloty made the first of his major contributions to the game when kicking a long-distance free over the bar. He repeated the performance two minutes later, this time from a free from sixty yards out.

And when he fielded magnificently at midfield and sent another mighty kick over the bar Newmarket were five points clear and looking good.

Kiskeam true to form. tried to make a meaningful comeback and had a point from a free by Niall Cronin five minutes frorn time.They failed to make futher progress, however, and another long-distance point by Culloty had Newmarket’s place in the semi-final safe before Niall Cronin had the last word for Kiskeam two minutes from time.

The match was played on 9th of August in Kanturk, Final score was Newmarket 1-08 to Kiskeam 0-07. The team on the day was as follows:

James Morgan
Michael O’Keeffe		Dan Murphy		Dave Allen
Dermot Moynihan		James Cashman		Maurice Hourigan
	Denys O’Brien (0-1)		Michael Cottrell
John Cronin		John Paul O’Neill Capt. (1-1)		Mark O’Sullivan
John Fitzpatrick		Danny Culloty (0-4, 0-2 frees)		John Sheehan (0-1)
Subs: Tony O’Keeffe (0-1).

Kiskeam: S O’Sullivan: D Cremin, E Angland, B Breen, D Angland, R Murphy, M Angland, T Scannell, J Herlihy, N Cronin, R Dennehy, J Doody, J Dennehy, E O’Mahony, S O’Leary, Sub: D O’Leary for J Dennehy.

Scorers for Kiskeam: N. Cronin 0-3 (0-2 frees), J. Dennehy 0-2 (frees), J. Herlihy, D. O’Leary 0-l each.

Referee: John O’Mahony, Kanturk.