Newmarket’s junior hurlers resumed league duty with a defeat away to Freemount on Friday evening, a close contest ending 1-14 to 1-9 in favour of the home side thanks in the main to a late decisive goal.

Freemount opened the scoring on pointing within the first minute. Newmarket enjoyed territorial advantage for various periods of time in the first half but failed to capitalize on the scoreboard. John Lane did get Newmarket on level terms with a seventh minute point but Freemount were more productive in front of goal and they responded on adding two points in as many minutes. Seven minutes lapsed without a score before Freemount increased their advantage. Newmarket replied within a minute with a well converted point from distance through Colin O’Sullivan. Freemount again took their advantage to three points before Newmarket were rewarded for their attacking endeavours with a goal in the twenty second minute. A long distance free from the impressive Kevin O’Sullivan dropped dangerously towards the Freemount goalmouth and in the scramble that resulted, Niall O’Connor nipped in to flick an equalizing goal to the back of the net. Freemount reacted in fine style and reeled off five points in as many minutes to assume control. The half ended with John Ryan converting a free for Newmarket to leave the half time scoreline reading 0-10 to 1-3 in favour of Freemount.

John Lane reduced the arrears with a well taken point within a minute of the resumption but Freemount added the next two points to their tally. Newmarket grew in stature and two points from John Lane left the score reading 0-12 to 1-6 as the game entered the final quarter. Freemount took their lead to four but Newmarket remained in contention as substitute Tony O’Keeffe pointed with eleven minutes remaining. Newmarket assumed the ascendancy as a lively encounter developed at this stage. John Ryan pointed a free and when Tony O’Keeffe added his second point, only a single point separated the sides with three minutes remaining. Freemount turned the screw and were next to score courtesy of a point. As the contest ended the final stages the home side sealed victory with a well struck overhead goal from close range to put the issue beyond Newmarket and confirm the points for Freemount.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

John Lane (0-4), Niall O’Connor (1-0), John Ryan (0-2), Tony O’Keeffe (0-2), Colin O’Sullivan (0-1).

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Billy Daly		Pa O’Brien
Barry O'Leary		Kevin O'Sullivan		Timothy Murphy
	John Ryan		Shane Murphy
Conor Cronin		Colin O'Sullivan		Jacko Flaherty
Niall O’Connor		John Lane		Nicky Flanagan
Subs: Tony O'Keeffe, Robert Stack, Gavin Forde, Donnacha Fitzpatrick