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.

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

Newmarket were seeking a response from their previous league game but the home side settled quickly and raced into a three point lead in the first ten minutes. Newmarket responded and were on the scoreboard when following an excellent solo run, Tony O’Keeffe produced a fine finish from the sideline. This gave Newmarket confidence and Robert Stack added a point from distance. Banteer had the next score but a John Ryan free left the score at 0-4 to 0-3 after fifteen minutes. Despite Newmarket hurling well in all sectors, it was Banteer that proved more clinical and they had the next three scores. As the half entered the last ten minutes, Newmarket were rewarded for their all round display with a run of five points in succession. Firstly, Kevin O’Sullivan found the target with Michael Kenneally adding a fine individual point after bursting through the Banteer rearguard. Two points from John Ryan tied the sides for the first time before an excellently executed point from Barry O’Leary gave Newmarket the advantage and they turned over in front 0-8 to 0-7 at half time.

 John Ryan pointed a free three minutes after the restart as the sides traded points. John Ryan then gave Newmarket a two point lead before ten minutes into the half Banteer regained the lead on scoring the first goal of the night. A second goal followed at the end of the third quarter and suddenly Banteer enjoyed a four point lead, 2-8 to 0-10. Newmarket responded in the best possible fashion and were buoyed by the inspirational Anthony Crowley and Shane Murphy in defence. Colin O’Sullivan sent a high delivery towards the Banteer goal where the influential John Scanlon caught superbly before offloading a pass to Barry O’Leary and he closed in on goal before supplying a textbook finish to the back of the Banteer net. The hard working Robert Stack then added an excellent point from distance to tie the sides again, 1-11 to 2-8 with ten minutes remaining. Both sides strived for the advantage and it was Banteer who edged in front with a point. Newmarket hurled admirably from beginning to end but failed narrowly on a few occasions to muster an equalizing point. Eventually, as the game entered the dying seconds, a Banteer point ensured the spoils went the way of the home side.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		John McSweeney		Anthony Crowley
Conor Cronin		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Shane Murphy
	Colin O’Sullivan		John Ryan (0-5)
Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		Michael Kenneally (0-1)		Donnacha O’Dea
John Scanlon		Robert Stack (0-2)		Barry O’Leary (1-1)

Conditions prior to the throw in ensured trying greasy conditions but Freemount were unfazed from the outset to score three points within five minutes. Newmarket struggled despite some resolute displays in defence from John Scanlon, John McSweeney and Kevin O’Sullivan and Freemount hit the net for the first time in the seventeenth minute. Newmarket’s fragile confidence further disintegrated before the interval with Freemount adding two further goals in addition to their first half tally of nine points.

Newmarket had the first point of the second half thanks to Kevin O’Sullivan and despite an improved effort Freemount had the next three points before adding a fourth goal. Kevin O’Sullivan supplied Newmarket’s additional two points but Freemount failed to relent their dominance and punished Newmarket in emphatic fashion on the night.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
John Scanlon		John McSweeney		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Tony O’Keeffe		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-3)		Anthony Crowley
	Conor Cronin		John Ryan
Michael Kenneally		Robert Stack		Shane Murphy
Barry O’Leary		Colin O’Sullivan		Ian Flanagan
SUBS: Donnacha O’Dea, Brendan Stack, William O’Flynn

Newmarket got off to an ideal start when midfielder Conor Cronin converted a well taken long range free from just inside his own half within the opening minute. Meelin quickly gained parity and set about their task by rifling over an array of points of different varieties to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after fifteen minutes. Newmarket struggled to cope with their opponents’ brand of quickfire hurling and three more points followed before Ian Flanagan added Newmarket’s second point in the twentieth minute. The sides exchanged the next couple of points with Ian Flanagan again on target. Meelin however confirmed their supremacy in the remaining minutes of the half on adding three points before eventually finding a way past Newmarket’s excellent goalkeeper Paul Verling, who produced a string of memorable saves during the contest, in the closing moments of the half to turnover with a lead of 1-13 to 0-3.

Meelin further increased their lead on adding two points before Ian Flanagan had a Newmarket point from a free. Newmarket improved considerably as the game progressed and this coincided with the introduction of the lively and industrious Tony O’Keeffe who laid a ball into the path of Shane Murphy and his pass across field in front of the Meelin goal was caught by the inrushing Robert Stack and he found the net from close range. Newmarket were further boosted when Ian Flanagan after being upended, stepped forward and crashed a free to the back of the net for a second Newmarket goal. A converted free from the impressive Kevin O’Sullivan left the score at 1-17 to 2-5 entering the final quarter. Meelin, maintained their superb accuracy on the night by adding the next four points in as many minutes but Newmarket kept up their momentum and the endeavours of Robert Stack contributed to a third goal which was finished clinically by Nicky Flanagan. The home side had the final say by scoring the last two points to run out very clear victors.

The Newmarket team was…

Paul Verling
Barry O’Leary		John Scanlon		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Brendan Stack		Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Anthony Crowley
	John Ryan		Conor Cronin (0-1)
Shane Murphy		Robert Stack (1-0)		Colin O’Sullivan
Nicky Flanagan (1-0)		John McSweeney		Ian Flanagan (1-3)
SUBS: Tony O’Keeffe, Timmy O’Keeffe, Michael Kenneally, David Kelly.

Newmarket began the contest in rampant form and took an early lead when the unerring free taking of Brian Daly opened the scoring in the third minute. Newmarket maintained their bright start adapting well to the conditions and they increased their advantage in the seventh minute when Colin O’Sullivan pointed from a narrow angle. Banteer settled on opening their account when pointing in the tenth minute and the sides were level for the first time when they added a second in the fourteenth minute. Two further points gave Banteer the advantage but Newmarket were back on terms when Brian Daly found the target twice in as many minutes from placed balls. Newmarket were driven on by some excellent individual displays, centre back Pa O’Brien to the fore of a terrific defensive display where all six backs excelled. Barry O’Leary and Tony O’Keeffe were inspirational with the latter capping his performance with a truly memorable point after another driving solo run. As the half entered the closing stages Banteer regained level terms and the sides turned over level for the third time at 0-5 apiece.

 The faultless freetaking of Brian Daly edged Newmarket in front again within three minutes but Banteer levelled three minutes later before they swung the pendulum in their favour with another point. A game that ebbed from end to end turned back in Newmarkets favour when John Lane levelled before Barry O’Leary landed a spectacular point from distance. A Banteer point at the end of the third quarter had the sides level for a sixth time at 0-8 apiece. Newmarket gained the impetus again with Brian Daly on target for a fifth time and Colin O’Sullivan doubled the advantage with eleven minutes remaining. A tense conclusion followed as the finishing line approached but the games most significant moment came five minutes from time when Banteer pounced with a clinical finish for the games solitary goal. Despite this setback Newmarket relentlessly sought an equalizer and came agonisingly close on a couple of occasions but ultimately they failed to find the target and just fell short by the narrowest of margins following a fine hours effort.

The Newmarket team was…

John Ryan
John McSweeney		John Scanlon		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Kevin O’Sullivan		Pa O’Brien		Anthony Crowley
	Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		John Lane (0-1)
Shane Murphy		Brian Daly (0-5)		Robert Stack
Donnacha O’Dea		Colin O’Sullivan (0-2)		Barry O’Leary (0-1)
SUBS: Nicky Flanagan, Ian Flanagan, Shane Anthony Murphy.

John Lane set the tone on pointing a second minute free but Meelin replied within a minute. Brian Daly restored Newmarket’s lead before Shane Murphy found the target with a fine effort. Meelin had three points in succession to claim the lead for the first time on fourteen minutes. An even contest ebbed and flowed with Newmarket pointing through Barry O’Leary and a John Lane free. Meelin responded in turn and the sides went on to exchange another brace of points, John Lane on target for a third time before the sides were deadlocked for the fifth time in the half. A crucial turning point developed in the closing moments of the half as firstly Meelin edged ahead before they scored the first goal of the contest to suddenly enjoy a four point lead, 1-7 to 0-6 at the turnover.

Newmarket turned over in highly impressive fashion that produced their best period of the game. Shane Murphy landed his second superb point in the fourth minute before John Lane was once more on target from a placed ball two minutes later. Barry O’Leary pointed from distance before once more John Lane pointed to gain parity ten minutes into the half.

Newmarket maintained the momentum when some terrific play in defence resulted in a quick flowing move and the ever industrious Tony O’Keeffe pointed from distance to give Newmarket the lead again, 0-11 to 1-7. Crucially, Meelin responded in the best possible fashion and when a goalbound shot rattled the crossbar they reacted fastest to the rebound to plunder a second goal. This was followed by two quickfire points and suddenly Meelin enjoyed a four point lead again.

Kevin O’Sullivan reduced the arrears but Meelin hit back with two further scores. Once more Shane Murphy hit a fine point from play for Newmarket but a free flowing Meelin put daylight between the sides with five minutes remaining with their third goal. Newmarket’s endeavour was rewarded within a minute when Donnacha O’Dea struck for a goal and the issue was right back in the balance when an overhead pull from Robert Stack ended in the back of the Meelin net to leave just two points the margin in the closing minutes. When John Lane pointed in injury time the game was on a knife edge but Meelin sealed a thrilling contest in their next attack with the final score of an excellent tie.
The Newmarket team was…

John Ryan
Michael Kenneally		John Scanlon		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Pa O’Brien		Anthony Crowley
	Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)		John Lane (0-6)
Colin O’Sullivan		Brian Daly (0-1)		Robert Stack (1-0)
Donnacha O’Dea (1-0)		Shane Murphy (0-3)		Barry O’Leary (0-2)
SUBS: Conor Cronin, Ian Flanagan

Newmarket opened the scoring when Kevin O’Sullivan surged forward and popped the ball over the bar in the third minute. Freemount responded immediately as they struck for a fine goal. Newmarket recovered and the lively John Lane converted a couple of frees to tie the sides for the first time in the ninth minute. Freemount regained the lead when they pointed a free from well within their own half. Kevin O’Sullivan restored parity and Newmarket hit the front again with John Lane pointing after an excellent team move that spanned the full length of the field. Newmarket hurled well against the elements during the half with John Scanlon and Pa O’Brien commanding in defence but they suffered a setback when Freemount scored a second goal within a minute of the interval and they turned over in front by 2-1 to 0-5.

Newmarket resumed aided by an advantageous breeze and into the driving rain, Anthony Crowley hit a super long range point in the second minute on receiving a short taken sideline puck. A turning point for Newmarket arrived in the next minute. John Ryan hit a huge free from deep within the Newmarket square with Donnacha O’Dea reading the delivery perfectly, he set off and struck a superb goal to the roof of the Freemount net. John Lane added a point and suddenly Newmarket enjoyed a three point lead.

Freemount then scored their first point of the half but Brian Daly replied with a fine long range effort. Newmarket further strengthened their advantage at the end of the quarter when the ball broke in the Freemount goalmouth and Shane Murphy struck from the edge of the square for a second goal. Freemount replied with a point but Donnacha O’Dea restored Newmarket’s six point lead, 2-9 to 2-3. Freemount hit back with a third goal and another point ensured an exciting finish to a contest that was keenly competitive throughout. Brian Daly converted a wonderful free from distance by the sideline as the sides exchanged points. Another brace of points followed with Shane Murphy sending a memorable effort sailing high between the posts. As the game entered the dying moments, Newmarket’s rearguard withstood the Freemount attack and they held on for a two point winning margin.

The final will represent Newmarket’s first hurling final at junior level in the division since 1985.

The Newmarket team was…

John Ryan
Michael Kenneally		John Scanlon		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Kevin O’Sullivan (0-2)		Pa O’Brien		Anthony Crowley (0-1)
	Barry O’Leary		Colin O’Sullivan
John Lane (0-4)		Brian Daly (0-2)		Tony O’Keeffe
Robert Stack		Shane Murphy (1-1)		Donnacha O’Dea (1-1)
SUB: Conor Cronin

Playing with the advantage of the breeze in the opening half, Millsteet started brightly and had five points on the board within ten minutes. John Lane got Newmarket’s first point in the thirteenth minute but Millstreet responded with two points before John Lane found the target again. Newmarket hit a number of wides during the half where as Millstreet were far more productive tacking on three further points. Conor Cronin converted a long distance free for Newmarket but Millstreet went into the break with a lead of 0-11 to 0-3.

The sides exchanged four points within ten minutes of the restart, John Lane and Ian Flanagan pointing for Newmarket. Millstreet blitzed Newmarket in a five minute spell and plundered two goals and three points before the industrious John Lane pointed for Newmarket. To their credit, Newmarket battled to the end and enjoyed their best spell of the game in the final ten minutes which yielded six points. Tony O’Keeffe and John Lane pointed before Conor Cronin landed a spectacular free from long distance. A great solo run from Tony O’Keeffe saw his goalbound shot blocked but it did yield a point. Kevin O’Sullivan and Shane Murphy also got on the scoreboard as Newmarket put up more creditable tally by the end of the game.

The Newmarket team was…

John Ryan
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		John Scanlon		Pa O’Brien
Michael Kenneally		Conor Cronin (0-2)		Anthony Crowley
	Barry O’Leary		Colin O’Sullivan
John Lane (0-5)		Shane Murphy (0-1)		Tony O’Keeffe (0-2)
Ian Flanagan (0-1)		Robert Stack		Donnacha O’Dea
Subs: Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1), Brian Daly, William O’Flynn

Kilbrin got off to a dream start and had the ball in the Newmarket net within a minute. Newmarket recovered well and three John Lane points, the latter two from free had the sides level by the sixth minute. Robert Stack gave Newmarket the lead for the first time but this was cancelled within a minute. The sides went on to exchange four points with John Lane and Tony O’Keeffe on target for Newmarket to leave the score at 0-6 to 1-3 after nineteen minutes. Newmarket who performed excellently throughout the opening half went on to produce a memorable ten minute spell of hurling for the remainder of the half. The prolific John Lane hit a brace of points before Shane Anthony Murphy and Shane Murphy found the target. The half concluded with further scores from John Lane and Robert Stack as Newmarket turned over in front by 0-12 to 1-3.

Kilbrin resumed strongly and had three points on the board within six minutes. Newmarket had the best possible response when the industrious Robert Stack created an opening and Shane Murphy found the net from close range. The sides exchanged points with Conor Cronin pointing from distance as Newmarket held a lead of 1-13 to 1-7 at the three quarter mark. Crucially, the next score went to Kilbrin courtesy of their second goal and this buoyed on their efforts as two quickfire points left just a solitary point the margin with ten minutes to play. Newmarket recovered and John Lane scored but this was answered by a Kilbrin score. As the game entered the dying moments Kilbrin struck for a third goal and despite a John Lane point with the last puck of the game, Kilbrin emerged with the spoils.

The Newmarket team was…

John Ryan
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		John Scanlon		John McSweeney
Michael Kenneally		Anthony Crowley		Conor Cronin (0-1)
	Barry O’Leary		Colin O’Sullivan
John Lane (0-9)		Shane Anthony Murphy (0-1)		Tony O’Keeffe (0-1)
Ian Flanagan		Shane Murphy (1-1)		Robert Stack (0-2)
SUBS:

Newmarket started brightly with Denys O’Brien in sparkling form, hitting over three points and David Buckley also on target to establish a four point lead after eleven minutes. Kanturk opened their account in the twelfth minute and two further points reduced the deficit to a minimum after eighteen minutes. Shane Murphy slotted over a point for Newmarket but Kanturk burst through the Newmarket defence a minute later and an emphatic finish resulted in the games first goal. A converted free from Seanie Francis O’Connor tied the sides for the first time in the twenty first minute, while some superb enterprising play from Donnacha Fitzpatrick was rewarded when he laid the ball off to David Buckley and he pointed to re-establish Newmarket’s lead.

Kanturk restored parity before taking the lead for the first time in the twenty sixth minute and a third successive point gave them a two point advantage. Newmarket were buoyed in the late stages of the half when a fine effort from Shane Murphy hit the butt of an upright, and David Buckley was on hand to finish to the net from close range. An entertaining half ended with Newmarket enjoying a slender lead, 1-7 to 1-6.

Kanturk resumed in the best possible manner when they scored their second goal within two minutes. Denys O’Brien replied with a point for Newmarket but Kanturk went on to score the next two points to establish a three point margin. Denys O’Brien pointed a free as the sides exchanged points and Kanturk led by 2-9 to 1-9, ten minutes into the half. Newmarket upped their performance at this stage and were rewarded with points from Anthony Crowley and Seanie Francis O’Connor. Kanturk pointed next but points from Seanie Francis O’Connor and Robert Stack tied the sides for a third time.

At the end of the third quarter the game was tied, 1-13 to 2-10. Kanturk regained the lead thanks to their third goal but amazingly Newmarket struck back when the outstanding Colin O’Sullivan sent a dropping ball into the edge of the square and Robert Stack doubled on it to score a superb equalizing goal. Newmarket were inspired by this score and regained the lead thanks to points from Seanie Francis O’Connor and a fine effort from Colin O’Sullivan. Kanturk fought back and halved the arrears and as the game entered the final five minutes, the score read 2-15 to 3-11. Once more the sides exchanged points, Seanie Francis O’Connor first off the mark for Newmarket. The home side finished in the ascendancy and managed to claim victory thanks to a succession of points from Donnacha Fitzpatrick, Denys O’Brien and Seanie Francis O’Connor completed this very high scoring contest when knocking over a free in the dying moments.

The Newmarket team was…

Eamon Moynihan
William O’Flynn		John Scanlon		David Kelly
Brendan Stack		Kieran Hayes		Anthony Crowley (0-1)
	Seanie Francis O’Connor (0-6)		Colin O’Sullivan (0-1)
Shane Murphy (0-1)		Denys O’Brien (0-6)		Robert Stack (1-1)
Donnacha Fitzpatrick (0-1)		David Buckley (1-2)		Ian Flanagan
SUB Timothy Murphy

Newmarket got off to a great start, hurling well from the outset. Darren O’Keeffe swept over a point in the third minute and Robert Stack doubled the advantage four minutes later. Seanie Francis O’Connor who was in prolific form on the night, slotted over his first point when converting a ninth minute free. He added two further points as Newmarket enjoyed a five point advantage after sixteen minutes. Freemount pointed within a minute and added two points without reply. Seanie Francis O’Connor added two points from play as Newmarket restored a four point lead. Freemount responded with a point and as the half entered the final moments they registered their first goal of the night and the sides turned over level at half time, 0-7 to 1-4.

Conditions deteriorated as the game progressed as heavy showers took an effect on proceedings. Freemount, however resumed in style and took the lead thanks to a goal within a minute. A point followed six minutes later as Newmarket found it much more difficult to find their range in the second half, this despite the outstanding display of team captain Kieran Hayes ably assisted by Brendan Stack and the influential Seanie Francis O’Connor. The latter brought Newmarket back into contention when converting two frees and they trailed 2-5 to 0-9, eleven minutes into the second half. Freemount scored their third goal two minutes later and when they repeated the feat eight minutes from time, Newmarket’s task became almost impossible. To their credit, Newmarket kept up their challenge right to the end and their efforts were rewarded through points from Seanie Francis O’Connor, Robert Stack and Paul Verling. The home side confirmed the points on scoring the final point of the hour and ran out victors by six points.

The Newmarket team was

Eamon Moynihan
William O’Flynn		John Scanlon		David Kelly
T.J. Bodie		Kieran Hayes		Brendan Stack
	Seanie Francis O’Connor (0-8)		Colin O’Sullivan
Alan Forde		Robert Stack (0-2)		Timothy Murphy
Darren O’Keeffe (0-1)		Billy Daly		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
SUBS: Paul Verling (0-1)

Newmarket were quick out of the blocks and led with early points from Anthony Crowley and the prolific Denys O’Brien before Lismire opened their account in the fifth minute. Robert Stack and Denys O’Brien found the range before a Lismire point left the score at 0-4 to 0-2 after a pulsating opening nine minutes. The sides exchanged a brace of points before the end of the quarter with Denys O’Brien again on target. Newmarket increased their lead once more thanks to Denys O’Brien and then Seanie Francis O’Connor before a Lismire point left the score 0-7 to 0-4 after twenty one minutes. Denys O’Brien pointed as the sides exchanged two more points but Newmarket finished an entertaining half in the ascendancy and this resulted in points from Robert Stack, Denys O’Brien and Colin O’Sullivan and they turned over in front by 0-11 to 0-5.

Lismire resumed with a point but Denys O’Brien with his seventh point of the game restored a six point advantage, seven minutes into the half. Lismire began to turn the contest in their favour and after adding a point the significant score of the game came in the forty second minute when the games solitary goal reduced the deficit to two points and another Lismire point left the score 0-12 to 1-8 at the three quarter stage. Anthony Crowley scored Newmarket’s first point in ten minutes but a free flowing Lismire thanks to two points, levelled the sides for the only time in the contest with ten minutes left to play. Two more unanswered points gave Lismire a two point advantage as Newmarket struggled to stay in the contest. Typically, Denys O’Brien found the target for Newmarket but Lismire made sure of the points in the dying moments and they ran out victors by two points.

The Newmarket team was…

Eamon Moynihan
	William O’Flynn		John Scanlon
Alan Forde		Kieran Hayes		T.J. Bodie
	Anthony Crowley (0-2)		Colin O’Sullivan (0-1)
Ian Flanagan		Denys O’Brien (0-8)		Seanie Francis O’Connor (0-1)
	Robert Stack (0-2)		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
SUBS: Martin O’Doherty, Sean Irwin, David Buckley

Newmarket began brightly playing with the aid of the breeze and settled on Barry O’Leary pointing in the third minute. Tullylease tied the scores in the seventh minute but Kevin O’Sullivan converted a long range free two minutes later to restore Newmarket’s advantage. John Lane increased the advantage when he finished neatly before a Tullylease point left the score 0-3 to 0-2 after eighteen minutes. Newmarket’s hopes were considerably boosted in the twentieth minute, when a well placed ball by Barry O’Leary was gathered by Tony O’Keeffe and he drove towards goal before drilling to the back of the net.

Newmarket stepped up a gear and within three minutes Seanie Francis O’Connor scored a second goal and gave his side a seven point advantage. Tullylease responded to this setback by hitting two points before Colin O’Sullivan pointed from distance to give Newmarket a clear two goal lead, in the late stages of the half. However, the closing minutes of the half proved pivotal to the outcome of the contest. Tullylease clipped away Newmarket’s lead on scoring two points but deep into injury time they struck for a goal and as the half time whistle was blown, suddenly only a point separated the sides, 2-4 to 1-6.

Newmarket resumed by increasing their lead within three minutes through the industrious Robert Stack. Tullylease were guilty of hitting numerous wides throughout the hour, especially in the second half and had to wait until the ninth minute to raise the white flag. A dogged Newmarket hit back within a minute when John Lane pointed from an angle to regain the two point lead.

Tullylease began to turn the tide and two points in as many minutes, tied the sides for the second time, 2-6 to 1-9 after forty two minutes. Newmarket forged ahead again with Robert Stack on hand to flick a dropping free over the bar from the edge of the square. Unfortunately this proved to be Newmarket’s final score of the game and they were dealt a further body blow when influencial midfielder Barry O’Leary had to retire after sustaining a serious hand injury. A Tullylease point ensured the sides entered the last ten minutes of normal time on level terms. Tullylease piled on the pressure towards the Newmarket goal at this stage but for a long period their accuracy left them down. Eventually, Tullylease hit the front for the first time in the contest in the fifty fifth minute and once ahead they pressed on relentlessly. Five points followed in the remaining minutes and they ran out clear winners in the end to qualify for their second successive Duhallow final.

The Newmarket team wa…

John Ryan
Pa O’Brien		Brian Daly		Nicky Flanagan
Niall O’Connor		John McSweeney		Anthony Crowley
	Kevin O’Sulliivan (0-1)		Barry O’Leary (0-1)
Colin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Denys O’Brien		John Lane (0-2)
Seanie Francis O’Connor (1-0)		Robert Stack (0-2)		Tony O’Keeffe (1-0)
SUBS: Maurice Feehan, Shane Murphy

The home side adapted better to the conditions from the outset but had to wait until the ninth minute to register the games first score. Two further points by the end of the first quarter strengthened their position as Newmarket struggled. Newmarket were grateful to a resolute defence for keeping the deficit to an attainable level with goalkeeper Eamon Moynihan coming to the rescue on a number of occasions. Dromtariffe added two more points and turned over in front by 0-5 at half time.

Newmarket, as was necessary, improved upon the restart. Ian Flanagan converted a free within two minutes and repeated the feat two minutes later. Robert Stack pointed ten minutes into the half as Newmarket now had the impetus. Anthony Crowley reduced the deficit to a minimum before an Ian Flanagan free tied the sides for the only time in the contest 0-5 apiece at the end of the third quarter. Robert Stack pointed to give Newmarket the lead for the first time before the critical score of the game arrived with little over ten minutes to play, when substitute Darren O’Keeffe was on hand to finish to the net for the games solitary goal. Robert Stack, Donnacha Fitzpatrick and Colin O’Sullivan all found the target for a now confident Newmarket side before Dromtariffe scored the final point of the contest and Newmarket claimed another brace of league points.

The Newmarket team was…

Eamon Moynihan
William O’Flynn		John Scanlon		Brendan Stack
David Kelly		Anthony Crowley (0-1)		Kieran Hayes
	Colin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Ian Flanagan (0-3)
John Cronin		Robert Stack (0-3)		Alan Forde
David Buckley		Donnacha Fitzpatrick (0-1)		Martin O’Doherty
SUBS: Billy Daly, Darren O’Keeffe (1-0)

Newmarket began brightly and took an early lead through the prolific Kevin O’Sullivan and a super effort by the excellent Denys O’Brien. Kilbrin pointed in the sixth minute but Newmarket maintained their good start thanks to further points from Kevin O’Sullivan to take a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after the first quarter. Kilbrin responded briskly and quickly attained level terms for the first time after three successive points. John Lane edged Newmarket in front but Kilbrin tied the game again at 0-5 apiece. An even contest developed with the sides exchanging four further points, Kevin O’Sullivan and Denys O’Brien edging Newmarket ahead on both occasions. A confident Newmarket side turned over in front thanks to another point from the influential Denys O’Brien and a fine team effort yielded a 0-8 to 0-7 advantage at this stage.

Newmarket resumed in similarly impressive fashion with Kevin O’Sullivan converting a free and the ever industrious Robert Stack rounding off one of Newmarket’s fine flowing movements with another point. Kilbrin pointed next but Newmarket responded instantly when the impressive Tony O’Keeffe restored a three point lead. Kilbrin, however came back in brisk fashion and three points in as many minutes had the sides level for the fifth time at 0-11 apiece after forty one minutes. A resilient Newmarket came back again and Tony O’Keeffe finished a free flowing move by pointing but Kilbrin hit two points as the lead changed hands. In keeping with the nature of the game Newmarket replied in similar fashion thanks to two more Kevin O’Sullivan frees to lead by 0-14 to 0-13 with thirteen minutes remaining. Kilbrin hit back yet again and three points gave them their biggest advantage of the hour as they led by two points, seven minutes from time.

Newmarket dug deep for the remainder of the contest, Kevin O’Sullivan halving the deficit three minutes from time before regaining parity in the closing minute. Newmarket to their credit maintained their hunger to finish even stronger and were rewarded when Maurice Feehan landed a memorable point from distance. They were awarded a seventy deep into injury time and this resulted in the final piece of action and Newmarket heralded a super result.

It was a huge result for the team, eventually making a championship breakthrough having come so close in recent years, especially last year having drawn with Freemount and Banteer. A terrific effort saw a number of notable excellent individual performances. Team captain Pa O’Brien led by example at corner back as the six backs all gave memorable displays, Kevin O’Sullivan’s scoring and general play was immense while Denys O’Brien and Tony O’Keeffe threatened throughout in attack.

The Newmarket team was …

John Ryan
Pa O’Brien		Brian Daly		Nicky Flanagan
Niall O’Connor		John McSweeney		Anthony Crowley
	Kevin O’Sullivan (0-9)		Barry O’Leary
Tony O’Keeffe (0-2)		Denys O’Brien (0-3)		Colin O’Sullivan
John Lane (0-1)		Robert Stack (0-1)		Seanie Francis O’Connor
SUBS: Maurice Feehan (0-1), Shane Anthony Murphy