Newmarket went down to a narrow defeat on their initial junior hurling league outing of the season, Banteer emerging victors by 0-16 to 1-12 at a sunny Newmarket on Monday evening.

Newmarket got off to a flying start with Gavin Forde pointing a long range free in the first minute. Matters improved in the third minute as John Scanlon directed another Gavin Forde delivery across the face of the goal and Paul Verling was on hand to apply the finish to the back of the net. Banteer replied with two quickfire points before Shane Murphy found the target for Newmarket with a well taken point. Banteer found their rhythm and accuracy as five unanswered points swung the scoreboard in their favour midway through the half. John Scanlon was rewarded for his endeavours as he pointed from close range to reduce the gap to a single point. Banteer answered with two points before Donal Hannon pointed his first free of the afternoon. The sides went on to exchange two points with a Donal Hannon free leaving the scoreboard reading 0-10 to 1-5 in favour of Banteer at the interval.

Banteer pointed two minutes into the second half but there followed a period where both defences emerged with great credit. On the Newmarket side, Ian Flanagan was outstanding throughout but as a unit the six backs all hurled excellently. Donal Hannon pointed ten minutes into the half but a Banteer pointed free left them in front by three points entering the final fifteen minutes. Banteer stretched their advantage on pointing again but Newmarket rallied valiantly. Donal Hannon accounted for five pointed frees as Newmarket reduced the arrears to two points with five minutes remaining. Newmarket gathered further momentum on Barry O’Connor pointing following some fine approach play from Jonathan Flaherty. Banteer were next to score but an excellent point from play by Donal Hannon ensured a nervy conclusion. Both sides had chances to add to their tally but Banteer held on to claim the spoils from an entertaining encounter.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Donal Hannon (0-8), Paul Verling (1-0), Shane Murphy (0-1), John Scanlon (0-1), Barry O’Connor (0-1), Gavin Forde (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Michael O’Leary		Robert Stack		Ian Flanagan
Paudie Allen		Gavin Forde		Alan Ryan
	Eddie Allen		Donal Hannon
Jonathan Flaherty		Shane Murphy		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
John Lane		John Scanlon		Paul Verling
Subs: Barry O'Connor, Michael Cottrell