Newmarket’s junior hurling team recorded their first league victory in their third outing after a home win over Castlemagner by 2-10 to 1-10 at Newmarket on Sunday afternoon.

A stiff breeze aided Castlemagner in the first half and they struck a long range point in the first minute of the contest. The visitors began the brighter and this was confirmed on them adding another two points by the sixth minute. Newmarket got off the mark with Donal Hannon striking a seventh minute free. Castlemagner restored a three point advantage but Donal Hannon again found the target from a twelfth minute free. Newmarket’s challenge was significantly boosted in the nineteenth minute. Shane McAuliffe delivered a long puck out into the breeze which was flicked on by David Quinlan. Donal Hannon gathered possession and set off on a fine solo run before firing to the net for an outstanding goal. The prolific full forward added a third pointed free as Newmarket took a two point lead. Castlemagner finished the half in the ascendency as three quickfire points enabled them to go into the break with a slender one point advantage, 0-7 to 1-3.

Donal Hannon had the sides level for the second time on pointing a free after three minutes of the second half with Barry O’Connor, now operating in the full forward line, pointing brilliantly from an angle moments later. A pointed Castlemagner free quickly restored parity but Newmarket who now had the aid of the strong breeze began to take advantage.

Donal Hannon edged Newmarket in front following some excellent approach play from Jonathan Flaherty. Eleven minutes into the half Newmarket struck for a second goal when Barry O’Connor pounced on a loose ball around the square to strike to the net.

A brace of Donal Hannon points gave Newmarket a clear two goal lead, 2-8 to 0-8 midway through the half. Castlemagner were next to score but the productive Barry O’Connor replied instantly with a Newmarket point.

As the game entered the closing ten minutes, both sides exchanged points as Donal Hannon added to his haul of points. Castlemagner battled to the end and put in a stern challenge. As the game entered the final moments, they were rewarded as a close in free was rifled to the net and brought them right back into contention.

Newmarket held out for the remaining minutes and claimed the spoils by three points.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Donal Hannon (1-8), Barry O’Connor (1-2)

Shane McAuliffe
Paudie Allen		Robert Stack		Jamie Hayes
Alan Ryan		Brendan Stack		John Ryan
	Kevin O'Sullivan		Barry O'Connor
Jacko Flaherty		Tony O'Keeffe		Michael Kenneally
Eddie Allen		Donal Hannon		David Quinlan
Subs: Michael O'Leary, Colin O'Sullivan, Donnacha Fitzpatrick, Paul Verling