Newmarket’s minor footballers created history when they claimed their third successive Duhallow championship and eighth title in total when defeating Kanturk by 1-10 to 2-4 in a keenly contested final played at Dromtariffe on Sunday.

Shane Drumm opened the scoring with a point in the fourth minute but both sides struggled to make an impact on each other as a tight contest developed. Newmarket having defended resolutely increased their lead with a John Lane point in the nineteenth minute. Nicky Flanagan pointed before his defence splitting pass enabled John Lane to punch another point. Team captain Kevin O’Sullivan then surged forward to kick a fine score. With the half well into injury time Kanturk opened their account which left Newmarket in front by 0-5 to 0-1 at half time.

John Ryan pointed a neat point upon the restart but Kanturks challenge was boosted considerably by a seventh minute goal. Bouyed on by this they quickly added two points to peg back Newmarket to a single point. The turning point of the game undoubtedly came fourteen minutes into the half when Newmarket goalkeeper Ian Flanagan produced a stunning, outstanding save at full length to deny a piledriver of a shot and a certain goal. Within four minutes Newmarket were awarded a penalty when John Lane was upended following a superb burst forward from Bart Daly. Brian O’Riordan coolly slotted home the resultant penalty to reignite Newmarket. Points followed from Jerry McCarthy, Nicky Flanagan and Brian O’Connell as the defending champions closed in on victory. Kanturk rallied towards the end and a point was followed by a converted penalty in injury time but Newmarket were not to be denied a third successive triumph.

Ian Flanagan in goal will be remembered for ‘that’ save while the full back line in front of him consisting of Brendan Stack, John Scanlon and David Guiney were an impressive solid unit, Robert Stack was in great form together with his other half backs Bart Daly and Brian O’Riordan who got forward to great effect with Brian’s goal critical to success. Team captain Kevin O’Sullivan together with Conor Cronin were inspirational at midfield while and of the six forwards Brian O’Connell, John Ryan, Nicky Flanagan, John Lane, Shane Drumm and Jerry McCarthy all got on the scoresheet and have racked up some impressive tallies during the year.

Congratulations to the team mentors Barry O’Leary, Paul Murphy, Denis Collins, Con O’Sullivan, Victor Lane and Diarmuid O’Brien who have enjoyed unprecedented success at this level. Eight of the team have played in all three finals and what incredible success they have given to the club. Each and every one of the players must be commended for their dedication and efforts and will be etched in the history of the club forever more.

They were led through town on Sunday night by the Newmarket Pipe Band with all supporters out to acknowledge a truly brilliant team.

Ian Flanagan
Brendan Stack		John Scanlon		David Guiney
Robert Stack		Bart Daly		Brian O’Riordan (1-0)
	Kevin O’Sullivan (Capt. 0-1),		Conor Cronin
Brian O’Connell (0-1)		John Ryan (0-2)		Nicky Flanagan (0-2)
John Lane (0-2)		Shane Drumm (0-1)		Jerry McCarthy (0-1)
SUBS: Paul Cashman, Billy Hourigan, Danny Allen, Danny Quinlan, Andy Twomey, Eugene Bodie