Newmarket backed

Newmarket v Ballinascarthy

ONE week on from turning the corner on morale boosting wins in the opening round to the county, these two sides go in search of semi-final berths.

Of course, both Newmarket and Ballinascarthy lost their own divisional finals but two points wins at the expense of fancied opponents Nemo Rangers and Dromtariffe has instilled confidence in the two camps.

Ballinascarthy yielded to Kilbree in Carbery, having also lost the 2017 decider to Clonakilty. However, they made a massive gain against Dromtariffe, exhibiting plenty of the club’s battling qualities with Ben Murray, Michael Maher and All Ireland Under 17 medalist Ciarán Nyhan to the fore.

Likewise, Newmarket reacted positively, their anticipation levels rising in the aftermath of claiming a deserved victory over Nemo Rangers. There is plenty of quality aboard Newmarket with strong performances from Jack Guiney, Seán Meehan and talisman Donal Hannon yet they will need more of an input from their attack and a spread of scorers.

Ballinascarthy will be confident on facing Duhallow opponents for the second consecutive weekend. However, Newmarket have reinvented themselves well, if the work ethic displayed against Nemo Rangers is again forthcoming, they are capable of advancing to the last four.

Verdict: Newmarket