Newmarket’s senior footballers commenced their playing season with a long trek to the home of the current county champions Castlehaven for a Tadhg Crowley Cup encounter on Saturday afternoon and despite defeat by 3-6 to 0-10, the team will be pleased with several aspects of their performance.

Both sides fielded without a number of regulars and T.J. Bodie got Newmarket off to an ideal start on pointing a free within a minute of the throw in. Castlehaven levelled in the fourth minute and scored a fortuitous goal shortly after to take the lead. Newmarket recovered with John Ryan, Brian O’Riordan and Padraig Allen prominent in defence while Tony O’Keeffe won an amount of possession in the half forward line.

T.J. Bodie was in fine form and struck two points to cut the deficit to a single point by the twelfth minute. Castlehaven replied with two points to re-establish a three point advantage. Newmarket were hit for a second time in the twenty second minute as a well struck delivery goalwards was gathered and smashed to the net in resounding fashion. A point was added moments later but Newmarket responded to finish the half strongly. Nicky Flanagan pointed before John Lane found the target after some neat approach play by the forwards.

Castlehaven pointed for a six point lead but Newmarket maintained their challenge which yielded further points through Nicky Flanagan and T.J. Bodie and the half ended with the home side holding a lead of 2-5 to 0-7.

In similar vein to the first half, T.J. Bodie was on target within a minute of the restart but scoring proved more elusive as the game progressed. Newmarket were dealt another blow nine minutes into the half as Castlehaven were awarded a penalty which was dispatched unstoppably to the net. The home side threatened again moments later but Newmarket goalkeeper David Quinlan produced an outstanding save to keep Newmarket in the contest. Both sides toiled and grafted but there followed a thirteen minute spell without a score. John Lane added a point for Newmarket as they created an opening in attack before T.J. Bodie added another point to reward the endeavour of substitute Michael Cottrell who was upended following a fine run towards goal. Castlehaven completed the scoring with what proved to be their only point of the half and progressed to the quarter finals while Newmarket now enter the plate competition against Douglas.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

T.J. Bodie (0-6), John Lane (0-2), Nicky Flanagan (0-2)

David Quinlan
John Ryan		Brian O’Riordan		Michael O’Leary
Stephen Stokes		Barry O'Leary		Paudie Allen
	Tim Murphy		Colin O'Sullivan
Michael Kenneally		T.J. Bodie		Tony O'Keeffe
John Lane		Shane Murphy		Nicky Flanagan
Subs: Kevin O’Sullivan, Eddie Allen, Michael Cottrell