Relieved Newmarket made to work by Kilbrin
Newmarket 1-12 Kilbrin 1-9
NEWMARKET survived a testing hour from Kilbrin in an entertaining Duhallow JBFC quarter-final at Lismire on Friday evening.
The reigning holders operated a positive game based on a high defensive workrate, effective midfield and creative attack. To their credit, Kilbrin played manfully to the end but they failed to breach the Newmarket cover in search of a late equalising goal.
From the early keen exchanges, the sides were content to trade points but as the game continued, Newmarket stood up manfully to the challenge. The influence of the experienced John Ryan, Brendan Stack and Cian Crowley underlined their class in defence, Colin O’Sullivan and Timothy Murphy worked solidly at midfield with Shane Murphy ever accurate upfront.
Kilbrin attempted to remain in touch yet they passed up a number of opportunities to allow Newmarket hold a 0-9 to 0-5 advantage at the break. Little to chose between the teams on the turnover, Kilbrin rallied, their intentions well served by Paudie O’Callaghan, Tuthail O’Brien, Cillian Buttimer and Stephen O’Brien.
A brace of points from O’Reilly narrowed the arrears to three and Kilbrin appeared well equipped to create further inroads. Still, the Newmarket response was calm and measured, Crowley swept forward from wing back to point and the reigning holders were in the driving seat once full forward Robert Stack netted from close range.
And it could had been much worse for Kilbrin had ‘keeper Jordan Corkery not denied Crowley with a breathtaking save. The attacking Crowley made amends to add a point to stretch Newmarket’s grip 1-11 to 0-7; trailing by double scores and despite the intimidating obstacle confronting them, Kilbrin fought their way back into the contest.
Indeed Kilbrin were thrown a lifeline, O’Reilly netted a peach of a goal and follow up points to Cillian Buttimer and Niall Field left the contest up for grabs. During the latter stages, Kilbrin held the possession and the chances to make further inroads but failed to capitalise on further openings.
Though living on their nerves during the latter stages, there was an all round acceptance that the better team prevailed, Newmarket advancing to meet Millstreet in the penultimate hurdle. NEWMARKET: S McAuliffe; D Norton, B Stack, E Allen; J Ryan 0-2, J Murphy, C Crowley 0-2; C O’Sullivan, T Murphy; M Kenneally, J Flaherty, P O’Brien 0-2; S Murphy 0-7(0-5f), R Stack 1-0, N Barrett. Subs. P Verling for J O’Flaherty, D Enright for N Barrett, M O’Leary for M Kenneally, A O’Callaghan for D Norton.
J Corkery; J O’Callaghan, P O’Callaghan, M Sheahan; T O’Brien, B O’Mahony, D O’Mahony; T O’Reilly, T Mullane; C Buttimer 0-1, N Field 0-1, S Crowley 0-2; S Fitzgerald, E O’Riordan 0-1, S O’Reilly 1-4(0-3f). Sub. J O’Donoughue for S Fitzgerald.
REFEREE: J Keating(Millstreet)