Newmarket proved clinical from frees in the opening quarter, Shane Murphy slotted over two points within five minutes before Kevin O’Connor landed a huge effort from near the sideline in the fourteenth minute. A fourth point followed courtesy of the accuracy of Shane Murphy again, as Newmarket enjoyed the better of the possession. Things got even better for Newmarket when debutant substitute, T.J. Brosnan raced through the Ballydesmond defence before confidently clipping the ball over the bar. A free flowing Newmarket were solid in defence with David Guiney, John Scanlon and Kevin O’Sullivan launching several attacks for the home side. Nicky Flanagan and Shane Murphy further increased the advantage before Anthony Crowley surged forward to kick an excellent eighth point for Newmarket in the twenty third minute.

Ballydesmond responded with two well taken points from distance but Newmarket concluded a half of supremacy in the best possible fashion, with Ian Flanagan playing a sublime defence splitting pass into the path of the on rushing Kevin O’Connor who kept his composure and finished clinically to the back of the net which left the score, 1-8 to 0-2 in Newmarket’s favour at the turnover.

Newmarket however, were lethargic for long periods of the second half and failed to build on their first half display. The defence proved resolute as Ballydesmond slowly clipped away at the lead and they cut the deficit on scoring three points without reply in the third quarter. Newmarket eventually regained their composure on Shane Murphy finding the target and the influential Kevin O’Sullivan followed up with a well executed free, which restored an eight point lead with little over ten minutes remaining. Ballydesmond replied with a goal but Newmarket kept their composure for the remainder of the game as the sides exchanged points, Shane Murphy first on target for Newmarket. The contest concluded with Kevin O’Connor adding an insurance point for the home side as Newmarket claimed the points on offer.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
John Scanlon		Mark Murphy		David Guiney
Anthony Crowley (0-1)		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Sean Doody
	Robert Stack		Timothy Murphy
Nicky Flanagan (0-1)		Colin O’Sullivan		Kevin O’Connor (1-2)
Ian Flanagan		Shane Murphy (0-6)		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
SUBS: T.J. Brosnan (0-1), John McSweeney, Anthony Lynch, Michael O’Leary, Michael Kenneally

Ian Flanagan kicked Newmarket in front in the second minute before Ballydesmond levelled two minutes later. Kieran Lehane pointed for Newmarket as the teams exchanged points. Newmarket finished the half strongly. Shane Murphy converted two frees before Maurice Feehan and Robert Stack also found the target to leave the home side ahead by 0-6 to 0-2 at the halfway mark.

Ballydesmond started the second half strongly adding two points during a ten minute spell. Michael Kenneally surged forward to kick a fine score for Newmarket with Maurice Feehan adding another to regain the four point advantage. Ballydesmond were next to score but once more Michael Kenneally popped up to kick another fine score. Ballydesmond added a point before the games only goal came ten minutes from time to tie the sides for a third time at 0-9 to 1-6. Newmarket responded to this setback by scoring through a Shane Murphy free and another fine score from Anthony Lynch. Ballydesmond had their final score with four minutes to play but Shane Murphy sealed victory for Newmarket in the closing minutes with his fourth point of the evening.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
David Guiney		John McSweeney		Anthony Lynch (0-1)
Michael Kenneally (0-2)		Brian O’Riordan		Robert Stack (0-1)
	Shane Anthony Murphy		Colin O’Sullivan
Ian Flanagan (0-1)		Maurice Feehan (0-2)		Shane Murphy (0-4)
Jerry McCarthy		John Scanlon		Kieran Lehane (0-1)
SUBS: Michael O’Callaghan, Seanie Francis O’Connor, Dermot Moynihan

Current Duhallow champions Ballydesmond took the lead in the opening minute but Newmarket levelled in the third minute through Kevin O’Sullivan. Newmarket goalkeeper Niall O’Connor produced a wonderful save in the sixth minute and from the resultant forty five Ballydesmond regained the lead. They increased their advantage as they enjoyed the better of the exchanges by adding two further points after eighteen minutes. Newmarket finished the half well and got back into the game when scores followed through John Lane, an excellent team effort finished sublimely by the outstanding Barry O’Leary and a free from Seanie Francis O’Connor which had the teams back on level terms just minutes before the interval. Seanie Francis O’Connor then kicked a fine long range point for Newmarket as they edged in front for the first time but Ballydesmond restored parity just on half time to leave the sides deadlocked at 0-5 apiece.

Ballydesmond resumed with two quickfire points in as many minutes but Newmarket responded through substitute T.J. Bodie who kicked two points, six minutes into the half. Ballydesmond then hit the front but once again T.J. Bodie replied to leave the sides level for the fifth time at the end of the third quarter. As the game entered the final ten minutes it was Ballydesmond who pressed home their advantage and they assumed control on scoring four points in succession during this period. Newmarket battled to the end and Seanie Francis O’Connor did score the final point of the game, but this proved to be the final piece of action as Ballydesmond progressed after a keen contest on a difficult day.

The Newmarket team was…

Niall O’Connor
Pa O’Brien		John McSweeney		Mark Reidy
Barry O’Leary (0-1)		Denys O’Brien		Bart Daly
	Gerard Casey		Colin O’Sullivan
Seanie Francis O’Connor (0-3)		David O’Flynn		Tony O’Keeffe
John Lane (0-1)		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Maurice Feehan
SUBS: T.J. Bodie (0-3), Donnacha O’Dea, John Ryan, John Cronin

The home side and defending title holders, playing with the aid of a strong breeze, pointed within a minute of the throw in. Newmarket were off the mark when John Cronin pointed from a free, before TJ Bodie and John Ryan put Newmarket two points to the good after the opening quarter. Newmarket defended well and Ballydesmond earned their scores with four points in the closing ten minutes of the half enabling them to turn around in front by 0-5 to 0-3.

Ballydesmond resumed with a goal within three minutes of the restart to increase their advantage. A long period of play followed without any side able to content with the conditions by adding to their total, before a crucial second Ballydesmond goal put the issue beyond doubt. They slotted over three points in the final quarter to complete what turned out a comfortable victory in the end.

The Newmarket team was…

Niall O’Connor
Anthony Crowley		Mark Murphy		Shane Murphy
Trevor Murphy		Bart Daly		Matthew Fitzpatrick
	Kevin O’Sullivan		Gerard Casey
John Ryan (0-1)		Shane Anthony Murphy		Timothy Murphy
TJ Bodie (0-1)		John Cronin (0-1)		Ricky Reidy
SUBS: Michael Kenneally, Brian O’Riordan

By John Joe Brosnan.

Tony O’Keeffe goal seals Newmarket win in trilling Duhallow U-21 final.

A GOAL two minutes from time sealed victory for Newmarket over Ballydesmond in a thrilling Duhallow Under 21 football final at Kiskeam last Friday evening, thus giving the club its third successive title in this grade.

Rated favourites going into the game because of their greater experience, Newmarket had to battle every inch of the way to overcome the challenge of a Ballydesmond side which shared in the credit for serving up one of the best games seen in the competition for many years.

Twice during the game it looked as if Newmarket were moving into a commanding position, but on each occasion Ballydesmond stormed back with great determination to put the issue on the line.

There was only a point between them with two minutes to go, with Ballydesmond battling mightily for the equaliser, when Newmarket got the break that clinched the game.

Ballydesmond were on the attack, moving down the left wing, when a Newmarket interception turned the play around, with a fast move down the field resulting in a dash towards the goalmouth by Colin Stack. Faced by a wall of Ballydesmond players, he laid the ball to Tony O’Keeffe, who raced in from the right of the posts to deposit a great shot in the net.

The game, favoured by fine weather conditions and a Kiskeam pitch in good condition, drew a very big attendance, and they certainly got value for money, with the play reaching a high standard and both teams fiercely committed to victory.

While Newmarket were seeking their third successive title, Ballydesmond were attempting to win the competition for the first time since 1977, when their great side of that period achieved their record breaking four in a row victories.

The question facing into the game was whether a Ballydesmond side which played very impressively in the semi final against Boherbue would be able to match a strong Newmarket combination which included many of the players who had featured in the club’s two previous wins.

And there was reason for concern among the Ballydesmond supporters in the first quarter, when Newmarket, showing all the confidence and skill that won them their previous titles, put four points on the board with out reply.

The first two were scored by Colin Stack from frees and the others by Donal Daly, one of which resulted from a clever movement along the right wing when Tony O’Keefte kicked the ball forward and Paul Stone transferred it across to Daly in a central position.

Three Ballydesmond wides from good positions left them empty handed with a quarter of an hour gone, but they opened their account with two pointed frees by Donncha O’Connor, both from a distance, and they were dominant for a ten minute spell which brought further points from Donal Kelly, Niall Fleming, David O’Sullivan and O’Connor, making it six points in all without a reply from Newmarket.

A feature of the game was the fine fielding on both sides, with a few magnificent catches by Denis Kelly and Donncha O’Connnor for Ballydesmond and Denis O’Brien for Newmarket being particularly notable.

Leading by two points after 25 minutes, Ballydesmond had the margin cut to a point (0-7 to 0-6) before the interval, with Colin Stack and Tony O’Keeffe scoring for Newmarket and Aidan Fleming responding for Ballydesmond.

The first five minutes of the second half saw Ballydesmond maintaining their point lead, with each side scoring two points. Niall Fleming had Ballydesmond’s first, embarking on a great run after having been sent away by Donal Kelly, and Aidan Fleming had the second. Newmarket’s response came from Donncha Murphy and Colin Stack (free).

The next ten minutes saw Newmarket dominating the play, and they reaped the benefit in scores. Denis O’Brien had two points, the first from a great sideline kick and the second from far out, and Colin Stack added two from frees before O’Brien landed another at the three quarter stage.

Trailing by four points, Ballydesmond seemed to be in trouble, but to their credit they rallied in great style and the tension mounted as they gained control of the play for a time and set about retrieving their fortunes. Great play by the Newmarket backs prevented them from scoring from play, but their persistence was rewarded when they won two frees, both a good distance out, which Donnacha O’Connor pointed.

With three minutes remaining Ballydesmond were awarded a penalty, which Donncha O’Connor obviously intended for the net, but the ball rose of his boot and went over the bar. That reduced the margin to a point, and the prospect of a draw loomed large.

However, Newmarket’s late goal proved the clincher to a game that was contested in exemplary style and which bodes well for the future of football in both clubs.

There were great celebrations when the championship trophy was presented to the Newmarket captain, Donncha Murphy, by Sean McAuliffe, vice chairman of the Duhallow Board.

The match was played on 3th of August in Kiskeam, Final score was Newmarket 1-13 to Ballydesmond 0-12. The team on the day was as follows:

Tadgh O’Sullivan
Pa O’Brien		Mark Murphy		David Jones
Gerard Sheahan		John Fitzpatrick		Danny Guiney
	Barry O’Leary		Denys O’Brien (0-3)
Robbie Keane		Colin Stack (0-6)		Tony O’Keeffe (1-1)
Donnacha Murphy (0-1)		Paul Stone		Donal Daly (0-2)

Ballydesmond: F O’Sullivan, S Kelleher, J Kelly, D O’Keeffe, Denis Kelly, J Healy, T Howard, Donal Kelly, M Murphy, N Fleming, D O’Connor, D O’Sullivan, O O’Calllaghan, B O’Callaghan, A Fleming.  Sub: T Fitzpatrick for O O’Callaghan.

Scorers for Ballydesmond: D O’Connor 0·6 (0-5 frees, 0-1 penalty), N Fleming 0-2, A Flemming 0-2, D Kelly, D O’Sullivan 0-1 each.:

Referee Donie O’Connor, Knocknagree.

By John Joe Brosnan.

Newmarket took title in final spoiled by gale

NEWMARKET won their second successive Duhallow junior football title and their fifth in all, when they overcame Ballydesmond’s challenge by 1-7 to 0-6 in a final which was completely spoiled by a gale force wind at Millstreet on Sunday.

It is doubtful if a divisional final has ever been played in more difficult conditions. The crowd lining the embankment on the shady side of the field, got an idea of what it was like out in the open spaces as the teams paraded behind the Kiskeam Brass Band. The flag-bearer had to exert all his strength to stay on his feet as the gale threatened to blow him backwards into his colleagues.

Ballydesmond won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half. Their aim was to run up a score that Newmarket would not be able to bring down, but as the first half progressed and Ballyesmond’s scores came very slowly appeared that their chance of making a serious challenge for the title was going by the board.

Surprisingly enough, it was Newmarket who called the tune in the early stages. Taking a firm grip at midfield, and keeping the ball low, they were almost continuously on the attack in the first seven minutes and Ballydesmond followers got few bad frights as the ball bobbed around the square.

But Newmarket failed to score, and after ten minutes Ballydesmond were two points in front. The first came from a free by Tim Joe O’Connell and the second from a 50 by Danno Dennehy.

Eventually Ballydesmond settled down and began to direct a series of assaults on the Newmarket goal. They were narrowly wide with a few goaling efforts and as the minutes ticked by they became more and more frustrated as the scores refused to come. This was due to a very solid display by the Newmarket backs and the inability of the Ballydesmond men judge the effect of the wind, which played havoc with high balls.

ALL-OUT SIEGE

In the 13th minute when Newmarket moved upheld in a movement which ended with Billy Daly sending over the bar, it looked as if the writing was already on the wall for Ballydesmond. To finish the first quarter only a point in front, and to be held to this margin with 20 minutes gone, seemed a very bad position for a team playing with a storm behind them.

The second quarter of the game saw Ballydesmond laying an all-out siege of the Newmarket goal area. The strength the wind can be gauged from the experience of Newmarket corner back Jimmy Culloty, who saw the ball being caught from kick-out and blown back over the end line. It was nothing unusual to see a player kicking into a vacant space as the ball blown away from his boot.

It was a trying experience for backs, but neither was it a picnic for forwards, who found their efforts at scoring foiled as the ball was repeatedly blown off course. In the last ten minutes of the first half Ballydesmond did manage to score three points, but only one of these came from play when Tommy Murphy took advantage of a pass from Thade Healy. The two others came from frees by Tim Joe O’Connell, whose kicking from placed balls all through the game was impeccable.

At half time, with Ballydesmond a mere four points in front (0-5 to 0-1), the general opinion was that Newmarket would coast to an easy victory once they got the wind to their backs.

But, surprisingly enough, this did not happen. Immediately on the start of the second half it became apparent that Ballydesmond were imbued with a grim determination to hold their ground, and their backs settled down to give a very sound display. They could not keep Newmarket from getting an occasional score, but they prevented the expected avalanche from materialising.

LEAD CUT

Michael Flanagan had a Newmarket point soon after the resumption and Tony Forde added another in the 40th minute. From the kick-out Nelius Collins got possession and sent over the bar, cutting Ballydesmond’s lead to a single point.

Within a minute Newmarket struck again. Jim Deasy got the ball about forty yards out and sent a perfectly judged shot just beneath the crossbar. Ballydesmond goal-keeper Paddy Fleming got his hands to it but the wind and the force of the ball threw him off balance and the leather went to the net for a decisive goal.

Newmarket kept up the pressure but a solid defensive display and the difficulty of shooting accurately in the condition prevented a major breakthrough. Points by Billy Daly (free) and Tony Forde in the 44th and 46th minutes gave Newmarket a four point lead, but there was still the possibility that Ballydesmond would snatch a surprise goal against the wind.

With Danno Dennehy occasionally bringing the ball upfield, the Ballydesmond men did initiate a few raids that might have paid dividends. On two occasions they made good openings but things went wrong in the end and the Newmarket backs be cleared their lines.

The last quarter saw each side score a point. Tim Joe O’Connell sent over a Ballydesmond free in the 51st minute Neilus Collins had the last word for Newmarket just before the finish.

Oddly enough, both sides had more reason to be pleased with their displays against the wind than with it. But maybe expectations of a high score with the advantage were over optimistic. The forwards on both sides found that scoring in a gale that played all kinds of tricks with the ball was not as easy as it seemed.

In better conditions this might have been a very good final, but in the circumstances it was a very disappointing game which never roused the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Mr. D. J. O’Connor, Chairman of the Duhallow Board, Presented the championship cup to Neilus Collins captain, after the game.

The match was played on 21st of Sept in Millstreet, Final score was Newmarket 1-7 to Ballydesmond 0-6. The team on the day was as follows:

Anton O’Sullivan
Jim Culloty		Seanie Daly		D.J. Daly
Jack Collins		Ted Feehin		Con Collins
	Neilus Collins (0-2, Capt.)		Billy Daly (0-2)
Tony Forde (0-2)		Michael Flanagan (0-1)		Jim Deasy (1-0)
Donie O’Sullivan		T. D. Cronin		Michael O’Halloran
Subs.: P.J. Murphy, P.J. Piggott, Eddie O’Sullivan, Donal Burke, Jim Tobin, Patsy Browne. Selection Committee: Jim Cross, Jerry Daly, John Sheehan, Neilus Collins & Michael Flanagan.