A late goal by impressive substitute Michael Cottrell ensured a dramatic victory for Newmarket’s minor footballers by 1-13 to 2-8 in an entertaining league game against Mallow at Newmarket on Sunday evening.

Newmarket were on the scoreboard in the first minute thanks to a huge effort from Daniel Culloty before Gavin Forde raced in on goal and punched a second point in the sixth minute.

Mallow had their first point in the eighth minute before the prolific Barry O’Connor scored a neatly taken point midway through the half. Mallow had a couple of goal chances that narrowly missed the Newmarket net but they made no mistake when netting in the sixteenth minute. Daniel Culloty restored parity before Barry O’Connor edged the home side in front by a point after twenty minutes.

Mallow found the net for a second time but Newmarket responded with a fine individual point from industrious midfielder Jonathan Flaherty. Mallow finished the half with two points and they turned over in front by 2-3 to 0-6.

A fine Mallow side stretched their advantage upon the resumption with two points in four minutes. Daniel Culloty kept Newmarket in touch on pointing a free before Mallow restored their five point advantage, seven minutes into the half. Barry O’Connor punched a point following some excellent approach play before Gavin Forde pointed superbly from a forty five to leave the score at 2-6 to 0-9.

Mallow were next to score but once again Barry O’Connor was unerring on scoring his fourth point of the game midway through the half.

Newmarket came agonizingly close to finding the net on a couple of occasions, however they were indebted to substitute goalkeeper Eoin O’Connell for producing an outstanding save in preventing a near certain goal.

Mallow took their lead to four points with what proved to be their final score of the game, but once again Barry O’Connor kept the scoreboard ticking over for Newmarket with two points within a minute.

Now within two points and needing a victory to ensure qualification to the semi finals, Newmarket stepped up the momentum but saw a number of opportunities go wide. Michael Cottell was proving a handful to the Mallow defenders and Daniel Culloty brought Newmarket back to just a point in arrears on slotting over a free with little over two minutes remaining.

The vital breakthrough arrived in the next attack with Jonathan Flaherty placing Michael Cottell in possession and his shot found the net to the raptures of his team mates and bench. Newmarket held on to claim an excellent win that was borne out of some great all round determination and never say die attitude.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Barry O’Connor (0-6), Daniel Culloty (0-4), Michael Cottrell (1-0), Gavin Forde (0-2), Jonathan Flaherty (0-1).

Shane McAuliffe
Danny O'Connell		Jack Birthley		Alan Ryan
Con McAuliffe		Paudie Allen		Billy Lane
	Jonathan Flaherty		Patrick Kelly
Barry O'Connor		Gavin Forde		Daniel Culloty
Nicky Barrett		Luke McCarthy		Donncadha Drumm
Subs: Peter Lynch, Eoin O’Connell, Michael Cottrell, Jeremy Murphy and Daniel O’Doherty