Newmarket finish strong to claim league crown

home four points victors. The best hurling and most of the excitement surfaced during the second half where Newmarket’s sharper stickwork became very evident.

Banteer offered real spirit during the course of the hour but it fell short and they found themselves on the receiving end of a late Newmarket purple patch with four points registered that ultimately decided the outcome.

Indeed, Banteer held opportunities to win the game yet Newmarket made the most of goal scoring opportunities but they required strong viglience from ‘keeper Shane McAulliffe to prevent Banteer from adding to their single goal tally.

The game lacked sparkle earlier on though Banteer proceeded to dominate thanks to the controlled play of Conor O’Keeffe, Brendan Withers, Kevin Tarrant and Denis Roche. Using possession wisely, a trio of points from Roche pushed Banteer 0-5 to 0-2 ahead.

It brought a spirited response from Newmarket, a Niall Rohan effort blocked only for Colin O’Sullivan to follow up and net the rebound for an equalising score in the 20th min.

However, their prospects appeared to receive a setback on a red card picked up by O’Sullivan and it allowed Banteer reply with points to Martin Kearney, Roche and Tarrant to enjoy a narrow 0-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.

The battle for supremacy was largely inconclusive on the restart, Newmarket points from Donal Hannon and Niall Rohan answered by Tarrant and Roche for Banteer. With the quality of fare improving, Newmarket struck for a lead goal, Barry O’Connor’s snap shot partly stopped only for Rohan to nip in and find the net. Though Jack Guiney added a Newmarket point, Banteer were back in business after Roche netted from the penalty spot.

Still Newmarket stayed with their task, owing much to the assertive play of Paudie Allen, John Ryan, Hannon, O’Connor and Rohan in key positions. And the impetus in general play shifted to Newmarket, a productive passage proved the fillip they needed, O’Connor embarked on a solo and though stopped in the danger zone, O’Keeffe kicked the rebound to the net.

Game on now in essence, Banteer triggered off a response on points in quick succession from Tarrant and two from Roche helped force parity.

The proceedings grew in intensity and boiled up to an exciting climax where Newmarket offered power and purpose with O’Connor regaining the lead at the end of regulation time.

Crucially Newmarket’s workrate never dropped and as more space began to open up in additional time, Newmarket’s game flourished with late points delivered by O’Keeffe and Hannon to open daylight between the pair ahead of the full time whistle.

For the ninth occasion, Newmarket collected the Duhallow JAHL silverware, team captain John Ryan accepting the trophy from divisional board chairman Joe Kerarns.