Newmarket completed their Ducon Cup league programme and cemented a quarter final place with an impressive 2-12 to 2-7 victory over Dromtariffe at Newmarket on Monday evening last.

John Cronin and Shane Anthony Murphy had Newmarket in front early on before a tenth minute John Cronin point was quickly followed by a Dromtariffe goal, which left the visitors in front by 1-1 to 0-3 after the opening quarter. Two Dromtariffe points followed before John Cronin had his next score. Dromtariffe then struck for a second goal but Newmarket kept their composure and a T.J. Bodie point preceeded two rapid fire goals from Shane Murphy and Barry O’Leary which turned the game in Newmarket’s favour. Dromtariffe replied with two points to bring an entertaining half to a close with the sides deadlocked on 2-5 apiece.

Dromtariffe resumed with two early points which amazingly proved to be their final score of the game. John Cronin and Matthew Fitzpatrick brought Newmarket level, with Micheal Hourigan edging them in front entering the closing quarter. Newmarket finished the game in impressive style and this yielded points from Anthony Crowley, John Cronin, Barry O’Leary and T.J. Bodie to record a fine victory.

Having lost in their first two outings in the competition, Newmarket recorded an impressive five wins in the remaining six games. Newmarket have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since 1998, a commendable achievement by a young and talented squad given the competitive nature of this competition.

The Newmarket side was…

Niall O’Connor
David Guiney		Mark Murphy		Anthony Crowley (0-1)
Brian O’Riordan		Bart Daly		Matthew Fitzpatrick (0-1)
	Brian Daly		Gerard Casey
Barry O’Leary (1-1)		John Cronin (0-5)		T.J. Bodie (0-2)
Shane Anthony Murphy (0-1)		Shane Murphy (1-0)		Sean Doody
SUBS: Micheal Hourigan (0-1), Donnacha O’Dea, Timothy Murphy