A depleted Newmarket were somewhat unlucky to be defeated by Lyre in the Ducon Cup, played in wet and miserable conditions at Banteer on Sunday afternoon. The home side ended victors on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-6 but a wasteful Newmarket will rue ten first half wides when with the aid of the wind they failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.

The home side blazed out of the blocks and had a point on the scoreboard within seconds of the throw in. Conditions proved difficult and while Newmarket contributed, the wastefulness in front of goal would prove costly as Lyre built up a lead. Three points without reply gave Lyre a lead of four points after twelve minutes. Newmarket eventually got off the mark with a stylish and classy point from distance by T.J. Bodie. In the following minutes Newmarket enjoyed a dominant spell but were also guilty of wayward shooting as the wides tally escalated. It was Lyre who ended a twelve minute scoreless spell on converting a point before eventually Newmarket found their shooting boots. Daniel Culloty landed a point from long range before also finding the target from a free. T.J. Bodie added another fine point from play as Newmarket ended the half with three points in four minutes. As the whistle brought the half to a conclusion, Lyre turned over with a lead of 0-5 to 0-4.

Lyre resumed with a well taken point three minutes into the second period and added another after eleven minutes. Newmarket battled superbly, thanks in no small way to the efforts of the half back line. Steven Stokes was a colossus at centre half back where he gave an outstanding display, while he was well supported by the exploits of Nicky Flanagan and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Brian O’Riordan excelled in the full back line where Michael O’Leary and Donnacha Fitzpatrick also made positive contributions. Newmarket cut the deficit when a fine solo run by Michael Kenneally was upended and Daniel Culloty slotted over the resultant free. The sides exchanged scores with a Daniel Culloty point keeping Newmarket to within two points with eight minutes to play. Lyre proved more clinical in attack as the game came to a conclusion and three unanswered points sealed their win in trying conditons.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Daniel Culloty (0-4), T.J. Bodie (0-2)

David Quinlan
Michael O’Leary		Brian O’Riordan		Donnacha Fitzpatrick
Nicky Flanagan		Stephen Stokes		Matthew Fitzpatrick
	T.J. Bodie		Michael Kenneally
Shane Murphy		Daniel Culloty		Eddie Allen
Luke McCarthy		Robert Stack		Jerry McCarthy
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