Newmarket went down at home to Freemount in their second junior hurling league game of the season on a sunny Sunday afternoon by 1-18 to 1-6.

Newmarket began brightly with the vision of Barry O’Leary picking out John Lane with a crossfield pass and he found the target for the first point of the game after three minutes. It got better for Newmarket in the seventh minute with Barry O’Leary again central in finding Ian Flanagan in space and he again supplied the perfect execution between the posts. Freemount were wayward with their shooting but once they found the range with a point in the eighth minute, they quickly gained parity two minutes later.

Newmarket’s overall game deteriorated despite the excellent efforts of Gavin Forde, Alan Ryan and Kevin O’Sullivan. Freemount took a foothold and dominated possession and territory during the second quarter. Four points followed in a five minute spell before Newmarket’s resolute defence was beaten for a Freemount goal after twenty two minutes. Newmarket, like their opponents, began to run up a tally of wides but the visitors faster brand of hurling accounted for another four points in succession.

Freemount well on top, went into the break with a lead of 1-10 to 0-2.

Matters got worse for Newmarket, as despite a concerted effort, Freemount pulled further ahead courtesy of three points in eight minutes. Newmarket got a lucky break moments later when a John Lane free from distance ended nestling in the back of the Freemount net. Freemount replied with a point but Newmarket revived their challenge with a noticeable improvement all over the field. Robert Stack led from the back as the youthful Paudie Allen, Alan Ryan and Gavin Forde provided positive contributions. John Lane went on to add three points in succession at the other end with the third effort coming from play. The visitors were more clinical in the second half and reeled off three points in a row to quell the Newmarket revival. The sides went on to share a final two points with John Lane on target for Newmarket but Freemount ended comprehensive winners.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

John Lane (1-5), Ian Flanagan (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Robert Stack		Paudie Allen
Alan Ryan		Kevin O'Sullivan		Gavin Forde
	David Enright		Ian Flanagan
Jacko Flaherty		John Lane		John Ryan
Barry O'Leary		Billy Lane		Barry O'Connor
Subs: Nicky Flanagan, Anthony Crowley, Donnacha Fitzpatrick, Eddie Allen