Original Report: The Corkman, Saturday, September 14th, 1968.

By John Joe Brosnan.

It was so easy for Newmarket

A Duhallow football final that was expected to provide a close game turned out to be a very one-sided affair at Millstreet on Sunday, when Newmarket completely out-played Knocknagree and ran out the easiest winners on a score 3-12 to 0-2.

Newmarket’s advantage in the matter of speed was the vital factor. Right from the start they outpaced their opponents using the open spaces to full advantage, and Knocknagree who can be very effective when the exchanges are close, found themselves in-dire straits as they fell farther and farther behind and could do nothing to stem the tide.

The first quarter saw Newmarket five points ahead and shoot nine wides. They kept up the pressure and were leading by seven points to nil in the 25th minute when Neilus Collins, taking a pass from Michael O’Halloran, slammed in their first goal. It. was 1-8 to nothing at half-time and only Knocknagree’s great reputation for staging come-backs kept the interest of the big attendance alive.

It was obvious that Knocknagree’s task was an immense one. So completely were they crushed throughout the first half that they had not recorded a single wide, while Newmarket had chalked up fourteen. Supreme at midfield, where Billy Daly and Jim Deasy had outfielded their opponents, Newmarket had put up a blanket defence and their forwards had outwitted the Knocknagree backs with some clever passing movements.

A FORMALITY

The early minutes of the second half raised hopes that Knocknagree might still make a game of it. They launched an all-out offensive and had Newmarket pinned to their own lines for several minutes. Three times they got the ball into the square only to find their progress ended there.

And then after four minutes play in this half, Newmarket wrapped up the title. In their first foray upfield they forced a sideline kick which Billy Daly sent into the square. The ball went to Michael Flanagan, who promptly shot to the net.

It was now 2-8 to nil and Knocknagree’s hopes had vanished. The remainder of the game was formality, with Knocknagree battling on sportingly but unable to make any impression on the supremely confident Newmarket men.

All they were able to score was two points from frees by Frank O’Riordan, while Newmarket added four points and had their goal from Donie O’Sullivan nine minutes from time.

The one-sided nature of the game took everybody by surprise. In the qualifying games Knocknagree had survived three hard games with Ballydesmond and had beaten Glenlara convincingly in the semi-final. But in this game they could do nothing right.

FASTER

It was generally taught that Knocknagree would hold an advantage in fielding but in fact Newmarket, always that split second faster in their reflexes, were superior in this facet of play.

Billy Daly’s superb performance at midfield was a feature of Newmarket team’s display, but apart from that one would find it difficult to name any Newmarket player above another. They were thoroughly efficient in all parts of the field and playing well within themselves in the second half.

A better break of the ball might have yielded a few goals for Knocknagree, but they were never in the game with a real chance of winning. It was certainly not their day.

The match was played on 8th of September in Millstreet, Final score was Newmarket 3-12 to Knocknagree 0-2. The team on the day was as follows:

Anton O’Sullivan
Jim Culloty		Seanie Daly		D.J. Daly
Jack Collins		Ted Feehin		Con Collins
	Billy Daly (0-2)		Jim Deasy (0-3)
Neilus Collins(1-1, Capt.)		Michael O’Halloran (0-3)		Michael Flanagan (1-1)
Eddie O’Sullivan		T.D. Cronin (0-2)		Donie O’Sullivan (1-0)
Subs: John Ryan, Tony Forde & Denis Sheehan. Selection Committee: James Cross, Neilus Collins & Michael Flanagan.

Referee: Joe Kerins, Tralee.