Despite defeat, Newmarket showed great character and spirit in going under to Bantry Blues by 1-11 to 1-9 in the first round of the Premier Intermediate Football Championship played in constant rain and miserable conditions at Macroom on Saturday evening.

Despite the terrible conditions both sides served up a gripping encounter and it was Bantry who were the much sharper side in the opening half. They scored the first point of the game in the second minute and added a second eight minutes later. Newmarket’s defence were made to work overtime in the first quarter and having scored a third point, Bantry’s command was strengthened on getting a goal in the sixteenth minute which owed much to the conditions on the night. Two further points put Newmarket really on the back foot before Nicky Flanagan got Newmarket on the scoreboard in the twentieth minute on slotting over a free. Bantry were next to score but Newmarket were improving at this stage with Kevin O’Sullivan and Nicky Flanagan pointing. As the half came to a conclusion Nicky Flanagan pointed between two Bantry scores and the West Cork enjoyed a sizeable lead of 1-8 to 0-4 at the turnover.

Nicky Flanagan was again unerring from a placed ball three minutes into the second half but Newmarket failed to add to their tally despite their endeavours while at the other end Bantry added three further points in a five minute spell. Newmarket failed to be deterred and as the third quarter concluded the outstanding T.J. Brosnan led by example as a trademark forward run ended with him clipping over a fine point. Newmarket grew in confidence and having threatened the Bantry goal on a couple of occasions, David O’Flynn swept a goal home from close range as Newmarket’s challenge gathered momentum. Nicky Flanagan added his fifth point to reduce the gap to four points as Newmarket swept forward in waves. The intensity and endeavours on both sides resulted in four dismissals in a quick spell as the game ended up thirteen a side. Newmarket maintained their challenge and David O’Flynn added two further points but ultimately time ran out on a brave committed effort.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Nicky Flanagan (0-5), David O’Flynn (1-2),  Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1), T.J. Brosnan (0-1).

Niall O’Connor
T. J. Brosnan		Gerard Casey		Michael O’Leary
Barry O'Leary		Timothy Murphy		Brian O’Riordan
	Mark Murphy		Bart Daly
David O’Flynn		Tony O'Keeffe		Kevin O'Sullivan
John Lane		Denys O'Brien		Nicky Flanagan
Subs: John Ryan, T.J. Bodie.