Newmarket’s minor hurlers were defeated by Banteer in an entertaining Duhallow Minor C Hurling League Final played on a wonderful Meelin pitch on Sunday, where two late injury time goals cemented victory for Banteer by 4-8 to 1-8.

Newmarket playing with the assistance of a first half breeze got off the mark in the second minute when Donal Hannon converted a free. Newmarket defended defiantly in the early stages with Nicky Barrett and Alan Ryan prominent throughout. In the ninth minute Newmarket stretched their lead when a move which was instigated in defence found Jacko Flaherty and he showed great strength and finishing ability to find the target. The first goal of the game arrived in the twelfth minute when Newmarket were awarded a close in free with Donal Hannon stepping up to crash the ball home to give his side a five point advantage.

Banteer sprung into action and opened their scoring with a point in the fourteenth minute before moments later getting right back into contention when a fine solo goal left just a point separating the teams. David Quinlan scored a fine individual point for Newmarket but Banteer responded with a second quick fire goal in the eighteenth minute to take the lead for the first time. Banteer stretched their advantage on scoring a point but Newmarket ensured an entertaining half’s hurling would finish level with Donal Hannon adding a brace of pointed frees, to tie the sides for the first time at 1-5 to 2-2.

The second half resumed in similar entertaining fashion and Newmarket regained the lead within a minute as Donal Hannon pointed sublimely from a sideline cut. Six minutes into the half Banteer were back on level terms when pointing a free and followed up with two points in quick succession to claim a two point lead. Jacko Flaherty scored his second point of the contest to reduce the arrears to a point, 2-5 to 1-7 with ten minutes remaining. The sides then exchanged frees with Donal Hannon finding the target once more with eight minutes to play.

Banteer proved more clinical and two more points gave them a clear lead of 2-8 to 1-8 with little over two minutes left on the watch. As Newmarket pressed forward to rescue the contest they left themselves more exposed in defence and were punished ruthlessly by Banteer as two goals within a minute crushed Newmarket’s hopes and Banteer sealed victory.

The Newmarket team was…

Shane McAuliffe
	Paudie Allen		Alan Ryan
Nicky Barrett		Michael O’Leary		David Enright
		Jack Birtley
Ivan King		Timmy O’Keeffe		Jacko Flaherty (0-2)
	David Quinlan (0-1)		Donal Hannon (1-5)
SUB: Patrick Kelly