Newmarket rounded off the Ducon Cup campaign with a very impressive home victory over Dromtariffe by 2-9 to 0-6 on a sunny Sunday afternoon, which owed much to a fantastic team effort from one to fifteen.

Newmarket opened the scoring when Daniel Culloty converted a second minute free. The home side played well from the outset but despite enjoying considerable possession, scoring opportunities were at a premium. Newmarket were led from defence with Ian Flanagan in spectacular form throughout the hour at corner back, while around him Alan Ryan and Matthew Fitzpatrick also sparkled. Newmarket were eventually rewarded for their endeavours on the scoreboard as Eddie Allen slotted over a fine point in the eleventh minute. Dromtariffe opened their account on pointing a free midway through a low scoring half. The closing eight minutes of the half proved more productive for Newmarket. The hard working Kevin O’Sullivan drilled over a forty five between the posts for Newmarket’s third point. Daniel Culloty stretched the lead to three points on converting his second free on twenty five minutes. The next point in the following minute stemmed from a typical bit of outstanding anticipation and distribution from Ian Flanagan, deep in his own half and Daniel Culloty gathered possession before finding Barry O’Connor who dispatched the ball expertly over the bar for a well taken point. Dromtariffe replied with two points within a minute but in the dying moments of the half, Newmarket scored a significant goal. A monstrous kick out from David Quinlan, was sublimely flicked by Gavin Forde into the path of Daniel Culloty and as he stormed in on goal he offloaded to Barry O’Connor, but before he could get his leg around the ball, he was upended for a penalty. Kevin O’Sullivan saw his powerfully struck shot stopped by the Dromtariffe goalkeeper, but he reacted fastest to the rebound to guide the ball home to the net from close range. This proved to be the final piece of action in the half and afforded Newmarket a cushion of 1-5 to 0-3 at the whistle, which they fully merited given their efforts.

Newmarket stretched the lead to six with Daniel Culloty again on target from a free in the third minute of the half. Dromtariffe replied instantly with a point but again Newmarket impressed throughout the field. Matthew Fitzpatrick set off on one of numerous solo bursts forward at speed, nine minutes into the half and his dangerous goalbound delivery was flicked over the bar by effective full forward Robert Stack. Another ten minute scoreless period followed as Newmarket’s on form rearguard withstood the Dromtariffe attack. With eleven minutes remaining, Gavin Forde swept a line ball from close to the end line into the danger area and Kevin O’Sullivan was on hand to flick home his second goal of the game to give Newmarket a commanding advantage. Dromtariffe added a point but a confident home side answered with a point as Daniel Culloty was instrumental in placing Eddie Allen to kick his second point of the game. Dromtariffe prized open a few gilt edged goal opportunities but when not thwarted by tigerish Newmarket defending, they found goalkeeper David Quinlan in outstanding form as he produced two spectacular saves. Dromtariffe did add a point but Daniel Culloty completed the scoring with his fourth point of the contest to conclude a fine win for Newmarket.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Kevin O’Sullivan (2-1), Daniel Culloty (0-4), Eddie Allen (0-2),  Robert Stack (0-1), Barry O’Connor (0-1).

David Quinlan
Michael O’Leary		Mark Murphy		Ian Flanagan
Alan Ryan		Kevin O'Connor		Matthew Fitzpatrick
	Michael Kenneally		Kevin O'Sullivan
Eddie Allen		Daniel Culloty		Nicky Flanagan
Gavin Forde		Robert Stack		Barry O'Connor
Subs: Shane Murphy, Kieran Lehane.