Newmarket away to Nemo in Creedon Cup
WEATHER permitting, defending holders Newmarket begin the defence of the Tom Creedon Cup on a meeting against hosts Nemo Rangers this Friday night.
Last spring Newmarket rallied impressively to better defending holders Beál Athan Ghaorthaidh in a thrilling contest to avenge a defeat from the previous season. That outright victory served as a fillip to Newmarket for the remainder of the year, enjoying a productive County Premier IFC campaign to overcome Fermoy and two wins recorded over Macroom.
However Newmarket’s campaign ran out of road on a defeat to St. Michaels in a highly entertaining semi-final. Having trailing at the break, St. Michaels upped the tempo on the restart, two goals in quick succession confirmed, they possessed the better balance and held more zip in their step as the second half moved on.
Meanwhile Nemo Rangers failed to repeat the efforts of their first team, surprisingly, no wins in the 2017 County PIFC, incurring defeats to Mallow and Bandon. However given many of their second team will be currently training in the company of a senior side that’s looking ahead to an All Ireland SFC semi final against Slaughtneill, Nemo will certainly ask questions of Newmarket.
Rockchapel visit St. Michaels on Sunday with the prospect of a close contest and good preparation for the upcoming league. St. Michaels have been pipped at the post in recent years in their attempts to obtain senior status.
It looked promising last season, two wins over Eire Óg and a victory against Na Piarsaigh helped secure a place in the decider only agonisingly to falter to Mallow by a single point in a dramatic county final.
Rockchapel are always pretty formidable at intermediate level, enjoying 2017 championship wins over Adrigole, Glanmire and Aghabullogue with defeats to eventual finalists Kanturk and Mitchelstown. Interestingly one upcoming game, they will be focusing on is a meeting against debutants Knocknagree in the opening round to the County IFC in April.