Millstreet overturned a half time deficit as two second half goals denied Newmarket by 2-11 to 0-13 in the junior hurling league tie played at Millstreet on Wednesday evening.

The home side were sharper at the outset and playing with the aid of a fairly strong breeze they went into a two point lead after six minutes. Newmarket hurled very well in the first half and in the eighth minute they got on the scoreboard with Nicky Flanagan creating an opening which John Lane blasted over the crossbar. At the other end Shane McAuliffe made a superb save from point blank range and Newmarket built on the notable displays of Robert Stack, Brendan Stack, Alan Ryan and Gavin Forde.

John Lane was in outstanding form and by the end of the first quarter he added three additional points for Newmarket, two from placed balls with another well taken point from play.

Millstreet struck a point but a fluent Newmarket outfit maintained the upper hand with another three points stretching the lead to 0-7 to 0-3 by the twenty first minute. John Lane added two of these points in between a fantastic point from Michael Kenneally who fielded a puckout from Shane McAuliffe, drove forward on a solo run and dispatched a fine shot over the bar. Millstreet put on the pressure towards the end of the half but the Newmarket rearguard maintained their fine form as two points from the home side ensured a half time advantage for Newmarket of 0-7 to 0-5.

Newmarket resumed with the breeze, which dipped in influence as the game progressed. Three minutes into the half a fine clearance from defence by Brendan Stack was flicked on superbly by Michael Kenneally to Barry O’Leary who hit a wonderful point from distance to stretch the Newmarket lead to three points. Millstreet replied with two points before John Lane picked up possession on the wing and found space to drive over a Newmarket point in the ninth minute. Millstreet cut the deficit to a point with a pointed free, before midway through the half they made their growing pressure count on eventually finding a way past Newmarket’s impressive goalkeeper Shane McAuliffe for a crucial opening goal. Another Millstreet point gave them a three point cushion but John Lane kept Newmarket on their tails with yet another point.

Millstreet restored a three point advantage but an inspirational solo point from Jonathan Flaherty and a John Lane free left just a solitary point in the difference with six minutes remaining. Millstreet found the extra gear required to get over the finish line as a point and a second goal all but put paid to a gallant Newmarket performance. Newmarket pushed hard to the end and before the conclusion John Lane added his tenth point of the night but it was Millstreet who collected the spoils at the final whistle.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

John Lane (0-10), Barry O’Leary (0-1), Jonathan Flaherty (0-1), Michael Kenneally (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Robert Stack		Paudie Allen
Alan Ryan		Brendan Stack		Gavin Forde
	Anthony Crowley		Barry O'Leary
Jacko Flaherty		Michael Kenneally		Billy Daly
Nicky Flanagan		John McSweeney		John Lane
Subs: Barry O’Connor, Donnacha Fitzpatrick