McLoughlin goal lifts Kanturk to top position in Division 3

Kanturk 1-13 Newmarket 0-12

ANOTHER good day at the office for Kanturk on edging past neighbours Newmarket in the McCarthy Insurance Group County FL Division 3 at Newmarket.

With both sides entering the fray unbeaten, the visitors got the verdict to leapfrog into a top of the table position, principally thanks to the only goal of the game netted by Lorcan McLoughlin.

That came after Newmarket had trimmed a five point deficit to the minimum only for McLoughlin to rifle home an unstoppable drive to the roof of the Newmarket net in the 50th minute.

Additionally, Kanturk availed of a shooting exhibition from placed balls by goalkeeper Ronan Cashman, the marksman converted 0-2 from ’45 and three more from frees to allow Kanturk dictate the agenda.

Not too much between the sides early on, a pair of points from Colin Walsh cancelled out by Conor and Ryan O’Keeffe for the hosts.

Kanturk gained more from their productive approach, Cashman delivered from the 45-metre line on the double. Though Ryan O’Keeffe answered with back to back points for Newmarket, Kanturk responded on flags from Cashman and Brian O’Sullivan to enjoy a 0-8 to 0-6 advantage at half-time.

The initiative remained with Kanturk on the restart, their solid play epitomised by the efforts of John McLoughlin, Ryan Walsh, James Fitzpatrick and O’Sullivan. Just as in the opening spell, Cashman and Colm Walsh weighed in with points to push ahead 0-11 to 0-6.

A struggling Newmarket answered with improving contributions from Jack O’Connor, Cathal Browne and Josh O’Keeffe. Indeed a spirited revival yielded points from Browne, Barry O’Connor and Conor O’Keeffe to narrow the arrears to the minimum.

However Kanturk soaked up the pressure, the quick offensive saw O’Sullivan offload to McLoughlin to finish off superbly for the contest’s only goal. Again Newmarket attempted a revival, a point from Josh O’Keeffe offered semblance of a possible late flourish.

Back came Kanturk, a well worked move allowed Grantis Buckinas to split the uprights for the insurance score.

Victory sees Kanturk sit at the top of the Division 3 table, a point ahead of Macroom, Rockchapel and Newmarket with a game in hand.

KANTURK: R Cashman 0-5, (0-3f, 0-2’45); J McLoughlin, J Browne, L O’Neill; B O’Sullivan, R Walsh, C Mullane 0-1; A Walsh, J Fitzpatrick; G Bucinskas 0-1, L McLoughlin 1-0, L O’Keeffe; B Healy, C Walsh 0-6 (0-2f), D O’Connell Sub: C Clernon

NEWMARKET: J O’Keeffe 0-1; J O’Connor, A Ryan, R Lynn; A Browne, G Forde, D Norton; D Cottrell 0-1, C Browne 0-1; T Ryan, C O’Keeffe 0-3 (0-2f), D O’Keeffe 0-1; R O’Keeffe 0-3, B O’Connor 0-2, P Allen Subs: S McAulliffe, P Browne

REFEREE: C Murphy (Glanworth)