Superior firepower separates Newmarket from Macroom
A TELLING surge allowed Newmarket collect a rewarding seven point victory on Macroom in the County Premier Intermediate Football Championship Round 2A in Millstreet last Sunday.
With both sides enjoying opening hurdle wins, the pressure was off both combinations yet Newmarket gathered a well deserved triumph on putting together more energy and purpose to their play particularly in the opening half. Taking the early initiative, building it into a commanding interval advantage, the Duhallow side soaked up the pressure of Macroom’s best intentions on the turnover.
At their best, Newmarket operated a fast and fluent brand of football in the opening 30 minutes, swift passing rewarded with excellent scores to enjoy a seven point advantage. That power packed performance wasn’t lost on manager Barry O’Leary, praising his charges delivering all important workrate.
“All involved were pleased with the high tempo first half but on the turnover, we dropped our standards. Having disappointed in the past few campaigns, we have something to prove this season and with players becoming more mature, its reflected on the results, two consecutive wins over Fermoy and Macroom will allow us plan for round 4 later in the summer.”
Early on Newmarket made a statement of intent, their powerful upperhand emanated from the influence of Aidan Browne, John Ryan and Bart Daly in defence with T J Brosnan and Michael Cottrell working solidly at midfield.
And Newmarket’s attacking play was productive in its simplicity, fast combination at close quareters that troubled the Macroom rearguard time and again. Brosnan popped up to finish off neat moves to point twice, sandwiching likewise scores by Barry O’Connor, Ryan O’Keefe and Donal Hannon.
A nervous Macroom minus the services of former inter county player Fintan Goold owing to suspension passed up chances from both play and placed balls. However Macroom grew into the game once Alan Quinn opened their account in the 13th minute with defender David Cotter repeating the exercise.
Back came Newmarket to regain the initiative, summoning up a burst of energy, confirmed in the 19th minute, a probing delivery from O’Connor saw play anywhere Kevin O’Sullivan react promptly to net that helped build a commanding 1-7 to 0-3 grip at the interval.
Macroom failed to gather reward from a possible dream start to the second half, substitute Blake O’Gorman grounded to earn a penalty. However David Gould’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Newmarket ‘keeper David Quinlan who got his positioning correct.
As the tempo dropped, Newmarket failed to get the same foothold as earlier, losing the width and vision that had served them so well previously. However a bad situation got worse for Macroom, following the penalty miss, their follow up play was undermined on further poor shooting.
At times Newmarket linked up more effectively and extended their position thanks to points by Ryan O’Keeffe and O’Sullivan. Trailing 1-11 to 0-4, Macroom attempted to plot a recovery through the input of Michael Cronin, Gould,
Ciaran Murphy and Pa Lucey.
Refusing to throw in the towel, they relied heavily on the industrious Lucey for their second half scores.
Newmarket weren’t panicking and never looked in danger of being overtaken to enjoy a satisfying outing with substitute Conor O’Keeffe and Culloty adding points.
Team boss O’Leary is looking forward to the remainder of the campaign with optimism yet admits there are areas for improvement.
“It might well had been a different game had the penalty been scored by Macroom, the margin would be cut to four points. Reflecting on the full hour, we wouldn’t be happy with the performance, taking the incorrect options during the second half but it’s a perfect position to be in ahead of the summer where we can address issues in our game.”