Kanturk and Newmarket to meet for third year

FOR the third consecutive season Newmarket and Kanturk clash in the opening round to the Kanturk Co Op Mart Duhallow JAHC in Castlemagner on Saturday evening.

From 2015, Newmarket delivered a strong second half performance to land victory. Having operated second fiddle in the opening spell, Newmarket emerged after the break and made handsome use of the wind at their back to overturn a seven point deficit, sharpshooter Donal Hannon posting a 0-14 tally from placed balls and play that decided the outcome.

Another strong second half paved the way last season, just two points separated the sides at the break, Newmarket proceeded to hold the greater firepower and the better attacking combination to probe out an assortment of scores.

A second string Kanturk fought gallantly but as the game developed, they couldn’t quite raise their consistency levels to the extent required to turn the tables on their opponents.

Last autumn, Newmarket collected their second league title in three seasons. To date from the current league, their form is somewhat mixed, incurring narrow defeats to Kilbrin and Banteer but a good win over Millstreet will provide ample encouragement for a side featuring Robert Stack, Gavin Forde, Donal Hannon, Conor O’Keeffe and Barry O’Connor.

Kanturk have tested a number of sides in the grade over the years and this second string will be greatly encouraged by the resolve of their first team that dismantled Castlelyons in the County Premier grade last weekend. Likely to figure on the starting line up are Barry Kenneally, Joe Carver, Billy O’Keeffe, Kevin Smith and Cathal Burke

To date this season, Newmarket have offered glimpses of their form from the past few seasons, that looks good enough to land the spoils here against a formidable Kanturk line up.