Newmarket’s minor hurlers put in a splendid performance in claiming the Duhallow Minor C Hurling championship after a clear victory over Dromtariffe by 3-16 to 1-5 in the much anticipated replay, played before a fine crowd in Kanturk on Monday evening.

Newmarket were quickly off the mark when their outstanding marksman Donal Hannon pointed within a minute. Dromtariffe levelled matters moments later as a fast end to end contest developed. Newmarket made a breakthrough in the fourth minute when a deft flick from Donal Hannon found Timmy O’Keeffe and he finished with aplomb to the roof of the Dromtariffe net.

Dromtariffe responded with two points in succession but a confident Newmarket outfit gradually assumed control. Three pointed frees from Donal Hannon had Newmarket in front by 1-4 to 0-3 by the end of the opening quarter.

A feature of the game was Newmarket’s outstanding defence which was marshalled by the excellent Shane McAuliffe in goal. The tight marking, blocking and hooking was inspiring to their colleagues further out the field. Timmy O’Keeffe pointed from play with Donal Hannon adding a brace of points while Vinny Molloy was denied a goal when his bullet of a shot was superbly blocked by the Dromtariffe goalkeeper as Newmarket built up a seven point lead. Newmarket’s rearguard was breached in the twenty second minute when Dromtariffe scored a well taken goal. The remainder of the half was evenly contested before Donal Hannon pointed late in the half to give Newmarket a lead of 1-8 to 1-3 at half time.

The opening score of the second half came courtesy of Gavin Forde who landed a massive long range free between the posts in the third minute but Dromtariffe instantly replied with a point at the other end. The pivotal score of the game arrived six minutes into the half. Newmarket were awarded a free thirty yards from goal and despite the goal line being well marshalled by defenders, Donal Hannon struck for goal and found the net for a decisive score. Suddenly, Newmarket enjoyed an eight point advantage and they grew in confidence as points followed from David Enright and Donal Hannon.

The defence was truly outstanding in keeping their opponents at bay, Paudie Allen, Michael O’Leary, Alan Ryan, Jack Birtley and Nicky Barrett in inspirational form and a third goal by the end of the third quarter further strengthened Newmarket’s position. It owed much to the bravery and tenacity of Timmy O’Keeffe who chased a seemingly hopeless cause, but somehow managed to get to the ball before his opponents and flick it superbly into the path of David Quinlan, who in turn kept his composure in front of goal to pull on the ball and see his effort tuck into the corner of the net.

Dromtariffe pointed next but Newmarket had the momentum and closed in on victory by adding the final five points of the contest through Ivan King, Donal Hannon, Gavin Forde, Patrick Kelly and fittingly Donal Hannon once more who ended the game as he began by pointing for his tenth time of the evening.

Congratulations and well done to the team and their committed and dedicated trainers and mentors, Robert Stack, Tony Lehane, Kieran Lehane, Donnacha Fitzpatrick and Donnacha O’Dea on bringing the title to the club for the first time since 2004.

The Newmarket team was…