Newmarket hold out to reach semi-finals
Newmarket 0-15 Brian Dillons 0-12
NEWMARKET are through to the County JAHC semi-final for the second year in a row following their close but deserved win over Brian Dillons in Glantane on Saturday. The Duhallow side had the perfect start. Early points by Barry O’Connor and Conor O’Keeffe (2) had them 0-3 clear after three minutes. Brian Dillons opened their account in the 6th minute when Tomas Lawerence pointed a free. The City side who played Michael Noonan as an extra defender came strong. Points by Cian McCarthy and Tomas Lawerence had the lead down to a point. In the 14th minute Dillons forced a penalty when Cian McCarthy was fouled. Killian Brosnan’s effort was well saved by Darragh Kearney.
Dillons levelled a minute later from a free. They came close to a goal when Stephen Crowley placed Darragh Rodgers who was denied by Darragh Kearney. Newmarket defence were very solid as a unit breaking up regular Brian Dillons attacks. A foul on Tony O’Keeffe led to a pointed free by Donal Hannon. Good play by Killian Brosnan led to an equalising point by Cian McCarthy. In the 23rd minute good support work by Paudie Allen and John Ryan led to a great point by Ryan O’Keeffe. Michael Cottrell broke up some good attacks. In the 27th minute Killian Brosnan with a point levelled at 0-6 each. In the closing moments Sean Meehan worked well for Conor O’Keeffe who pointed. Brian Dillons Keith McCormack placed Cian McCarthy for a point that had them level for the 4th time 0-7 each. Deep in injury time Donal Hannon converted two long range frees that gave Newmarket an interval lead 0-9 to 0-7.
The stiff breeze picked up on the resumption. Tomas Lawerence landed an early pointed free with Donal Hannon replying after a foul on Cian Crowley. Killian Rodgers had a close in free come off the post and cleared by Aidan Browne. Good play by Paudie Allen led to a fine point by Michael Cottrell as Newmarket moved 3 clear 0-11 to 0-8. The winners defence stood firm as Dillons created a number of scoring chances. Good play in the 42nd minute saw Michael Noonan place Keith McCormack for a point. Both sides were off target. In the 45th minute Tomas Lawerence cut the lead to a point. Brian Dillons seemed to be getting on top. However, Newmar ket responded well. Cathal Browne caught some great balls in the air and it was Newmarket who rallied from here.
In the 50th minute good play Michael Cottrell, Stephen Stokes, Cathal Browne and Alan Ryan led to a brilliant point by Donal Hannon. The City side replied when David Cremin put Darragh Rodgers through for a point. Brian Dillons best chance of a goal came in the 53rd minute when Killian Rodgers was put through but he was denied by a timely interception by Kevin O’Sullivan. Newmarket battled hard they had a point by Ryan O’Keeffe after good play by Cathal Browne. Darragh Kearney saved well from a Tomas Lawerence free. In the 57th minute Paudie Allen and Paddy Browne worked well out of defence linking up with Cathal Browne who offloaded to Donal Hannon who opened up a three-point lead. Dillons tried very hard for a goal. John Horgan was denied by Kieran O’Sullivan. Tomas Lawerence had the Seandun’s side last score from a free in the 58th minute.
Deep in injury time Alan Ryan found Cian Crowley who struck a marvellous point. The final whistle followed with Newmarket through to meet Russell Rovers in the semi final.
NEWMARKET: D Kearney, P Allen, K O’Sullivan, A Browne, P Browne, M Cottrell 0-1, J Ryan, A Ryan, S Meehan, T O’Keeffe, C Browne, R O’Keeffe 0-2, B O’Connor 0-2, C O’Keeffe 0-3, D Hannon 0-6 (4f). Subs: C Crowley 0-1 for C O’Keeffe (inj), S Stokes for T O’Keeffe, J Guiney for J Ryan, J O’Flaherty for B O’Connor.
BRIAN DILLONS: D Hourihan, J Feehan, K Brosnan 0-1, J Noonan, D McCormack, D Brosnan, D O’Donoghue, T Lawerence 0-6 (5f), D Cremin, R Murphy, S Crowley, K McCormack 0-1, M Noonan, D Rodgers 0-1, C McCarthy 0-3. Subs: J Murphy for S Crowley, J Horgan for R Murphy,
REFEREE: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth)