Newmarket were defeated by Nemo Rangers, 1-12 to 0-11 in the second round of the Evening Echo Premier Intermediate Football Championship at Coachford, on Saturday evening played in splendid sunshine and as a result bowed out of the competition.

The city side paved the way for victory thanks to a blistering spell in the opening quarter as they rocked Newmarket. The first point arrived in the third minute but John Ryan kicked an equalizer for Newmarket three minutes later. Within a minute Nemo Rangers regained the lead and then added a goal in their next attack. Three further points gave them a clear seven point lead. Newmarket recovered as they impressed in the second quarter. John Ryan converted a free before T.J. Bodie added two points. Another John Ryan free reduced the deficit to a goal before Gerard Casey added Newmarket’s fifth point in a row. As the half concluded Nemo were on target from a free to turn over in front by 1-6 to 0-6 at the halfway mark.

The sides exchanged points upon the resumption, John Ryan replying to an early Nemo score. The city side regained the initiative again and proved more clinical in front of goal as Newmarket kicked a series of wides. During a ten minute spell they added five points to enjoy an eight point advantage. To their credit, Newmarket battled back and finished the game strongly. John Ryan added his fifth point before Kevin O’Sullivan surged forward to kick a point. Denys O’Brien drove forward relentlessly in the closing minutes and was rewarded with two further points. However, Newmarket ran out of time and were four points in arrears at the end of the contest.

Newmarket must now go through a relegation play off involving four second round losers. Two semi finals will be played where the two victors will preserve their Premier Intermediate status. The two losing semi finalists will contest a play off final and again the winners will be safe but the losing finalists will be relegated.

The Newmarket team was…

The Newmarket team was…

Niall O’Connor
Pa O’Brien		Barry O’Leary		Brian O’Riordan
Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1)		Timothy Murphy		Mark Reidy
	Denys O’Brien (0-2)		Bart Daly
John Ryan (0-5)		T.J. Bodie (0-2)		Maurice Feehan
John Lane		David O’Flynn		Tony O’Keeffe
SUBS: Conor Cronin, Gerard Casey (0-1)