End of 40-year famine sees double joy
AFTER a 40 year long odyssey, punctuated with many disappointments, victorious Newmarket returned with the Duhallow Junior A Hurling Championship title amidst euphoric scenes following the Tullylease final.
Hundreds of loyal supporters cheered the team after capturing the prestigious John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup.
And what a wonderful weekend it proved for Newmarket, their u16 hurling team landed a thrilling victory over Kildorrery in the North Cork Rebel Óg Final.
An air of expectation surrounded Newmarket’s appearance in the divisional Junior final, it all came good and a carnival atmosphere surfaced on Sunday night with both teams paraded through the town. Cheers of relief as much as joy greeted the occasion with flags and headbands with a familiar red and black flavour added to the atmosphere.
Club Chairman Seán Irwin spoke of a team that underlined their utmost determination not to come up short. “There has been hard times, great players, selectors and trainers involved without enjoying championship success. However, their involvement showed hurling is strong in Newmarket”, he said.
Thanks were extended to the team management of Barry O’Leary, Neilly McCarthy, Gerry Meehan and Danny Guiney. And there was a special mention too for recent managers Neilly Forrest, John O’Connor and Eddie Murphy.
“It takes great leaders and character to keep coming back. We lost the 2018 Final but returned stronger this season. One of our own, Barry O’Leary, took on the job of manager; we owe Barry a debt of gratitude for his fantastic contribution”, said Seán.
An emotional moment heard Barry dedicate the outright win to his late father Kevin who passed away earlier in the summer and he was thrilled to help bring the John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup to Newmarket for the first time.
“The players put their shoulder to the wheel, the work had started a number of years ago under Neilly Forrest, John O’Connor and Eddie Murphy”, he said.
And it was difficult to hide the satisfaction of team captain Alan Ryan on lifting the trophy into the Newmarket sky.
“I had been captain at underage from U14 to minor and U21, without winning. The omens weren’t great but its a great feeling to captain a victorious team for the first time. My own career started back in the West End, the work of the underage coaches for so many players has certaintly paid off ”, he said.
“We had 30 players involved, all committed. Congrats, too, to the U16 team, they will be pushing us in a few years and I can’t wait for that to happen”, said Alan.
Newmarket supporters felt proud on a special night, none more so than local Garda Sergeant Dan Murphy. “I remember back to 1985 when Newmarket were defeated by a single point by Lismire in the final. It’s been a long wait, it’s great to witness the occasion, all the more special for I will be retiring later this year”, he said.
A special get together is not a party without a song and John ‘Rebel’ Cronin was on hand deliver a rousing rendition of ‘Up Up Newmarket’.