Newmarket Minor Footballers kicked back from a disappointing championship exit to qualify to the league final after defeating Lyre on a scoreline of 2-5 to 1-7 in Banteer last Sunday afternoon. The game was played in difficult and greasy conditions in Banteer which made for plenty handling errors and it was not a day for free flowing football.

Newmarket got off to a flying start when corner forward Kieran Lehane netted from a difficult angle with a low shot after 6 minutes. The lead didn’t last long though as Lyre responded with a goal of their own 4 minutes later. The game was scrappy and scores were hard to come by with a strong wind in favor of Lyre. It was the home side who then took the lead on 17 minutes when they scored the games first point. Newmarket drew level once more courtesy of a fine Brian O’ Connell point on 20 minutes. Once more the sides exchanged points with Ian Flanagan scoring a point from a free. Lyre responded with 2 points before the half time whistle to leave them leading 1-4 to 1-2 at the interval.

Newmarket came out in the second half and registered the first two scores of the half, both from Ian Flanagan, one from a free. These points tied the sides again at the 40 minute mark. Lyre hit back with two further points in as many minutes to re-establish their lead. Newmarket though would not give up the chase and through an Ian Flanagan point from play Newmarket were just one behind with 10 minutes to go. The games decisive score came three minutes later when mid fielder T. J. Brosnan got a great goal from distance with a low hard shot to the bottom corner. Newmarket led for the first time since the 20th minute with a two point advantage. Lyre scored the final point of the game with 6 minutes to go which set up a nervy end to the game. Newmarket defended resolutely and were not broken down despite great pressure from the Lyre attack and hence advanced to the league final on a score line 2-5 to 1-7.

The Newmarket team was…

David Quinlan
Michael O’ Leary		Brendan Stack		Andy Twomey
Alan Forde		Anthony Lynch		Billy Lane
	T.J. Brosnan (1-0)		Conor Cronin
Darren O’ Keeffe		Ian Flanagan (0-4)		Eddie Allen
Kieran Lehane (1-0)		Brian O’ Connell (0-1)		Paul Verling
Subs: David Enright, Jack Birthley, Nicky Barrett