A point with the final kick of the contest from centre half back, Barry O’Leary salvaged a draw and a fitting result for Newmarket against Ballinora at the latters venue in splendid sunshine on Monday in their latest intermediate league game, the final result reading 2-10 to 1-13.

Newmarket hit the front when T.J. Bodie pointed a free after five minutes. In the eighth minute, great persistence and opportunism resulted in Tony O’Keeffe finishing with great composure to the net for a Newmarket goal. Ballinora registered their first point but Bart Daly slotted over a fine point from a dead ball in the tenth minute. The home side gradually came to terms with the game and added two points before they struck for a goal to edge in front. John Lane pointed at the end of an impressive Newmarket attack to tie the sides 1-3 apiece after an entertaining opening quarter. The home side scored the next two points but Newmarket were rejuvenated when Tony O’Keeffe again finished to the net after being set up by a flick on from John Lane. Newmarket finished off the half well with John Lane pointing before team captain David O’Flynn landed a super point. As a result, Newmarket turned over in front by 2-5 to 1-5.

Ballinora pointed within a minute of the restart but Maurice Feehan was on hand to restore Newmarket’s three point advantage moments later. Ballinora gradually got back on terms and it took a timely stop from Newmarket goalkeeper Tadhg O’Sullivan to keep the home side at bay. Three unanswered Ballinora points had the sides level, 2-6 to 1-9 entering the last quarter. John Lane and Bart Daly eased Newmarket in front but Ballinora quickly halved this advantage. Substitute, Seanie Francis O’Connor then scored a fine point from distance with little over five minutes remaining. Ballinora responded strongly and two points had the sides back on level terms. They hit the front late in the game but Newmarket tried gallantly to find an equalizer. It appeared as if their quest was going to be in vain but one final patient build up ended with Barry O’Leary on hand to find the target and result in a share of the spoils after a fine hours play.

The Newmarket team was…

Tadhg O’Sulllivan
Pa O’Brien		John McSweeney		Mark Murphy
Sean Doody		Barry O’Leary (0-1)		Mark Reidy
	Denys O’Brien		Timothy Murphy
T.J. Bodie (0-1)		Bart Daly (0-2)		David O’Flynn (0-1)
John Lane (0-3)		Maurice Feehan (0-1)		Tony O’Keeffe (2-0)
SUBS: Seanie Francis O’Connor (0-1), John Ryan and Kevin O’Sullivan