Newmarket’s junior hurlers made it three wins from three outings following a fine victory away to Kilbrin on a sunny Sunday afternoon by 3-14 to 2-7.

Newmarket played into a driving wind in the opening half but got off to an ideal start as they struck for a goal in the fourth minute. Donal Hannon expertly placed a ball in front of Tony O’Keeffe and as the full forward closed in on goal he picked out Barry O’Connor who made no mistake in blasting to the net. Kilbrin replied with a pointed free and in the eighth minute struck a goal on finding huge space behind the Newmarket defence. Donal Hannon levelled the sides on pointing a tenth minute free but a speculative Kilbrin delivery towards the Newmarket goal ended in the net to restore the home sides advantage. Kilbrin pointed again to take a four point lead. Newmarket settled in defence and went on to produce an excellent performance despite playing against the breeze. The industrious John Scanlon pointed well before the prolific Barry O’Connor registered his first point of the game. Donal Hannon pointed two frees to tie the sides at 1-5 to 2-2 after seventeen free flowing minutes play. Kilbrin edged in front again but Barry O’Connor ensured parity almost instantly. Newmarket grew in confidence and three points were reward for their exploits through a Donal Hannon free, Ian Flanagan and once more the potent Barry O’Connor. Kilbrin added the final point of the half but Newmarket went into the break with a deserved lead of 1-9 to 2-4.

Kilbrin pointed a free within two minutes of the restart before John Scanlon restored a lead of two points. The home side added the next two points to tie the scores for a fourth time, ten minutes into the half. Newmarket hit the front at the end of the third quarter with Barry O’Connor firing over two excellent points. Substitute Tadhg Ryan made an immediate impact as he carved out and landed a super individual point. Newmarket hurled with confidence and emerged in possession from many crucial tussles finding a teammate with slick stickwork. With the game entering the closing ten minutes Newmarket went on to seal the victory. Donal Hannon picked out Barry O’Connor with a short range free and with confidence he crashed home his second goal of the hour. As the game went into injury time Donal Hannon put the issue beyond doubt with a third Newmarket goal. Gavin Forde completed the scoring with a late point as Newmarket rounded off a superb win.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Ian Flanagan (0-1), John Scanlon (0-2), Donal Hannon (1-4), Barry O’Connor (2-5), Gavin Forde (0-1), Tadhg Ryan (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Jack Guiney		Robert Stack		Nicky Flanagan
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		Jamie Hayes		Paudie Allen
	Pa O’Brien		Ian Flanagan
John Scanlon		Donal Hannon		John Ryan
Paul Verling		Tony O'Keeffe		Barry O'Connor
Subs: Gavin Forde, Tadhg Ryan, Jonathan Flaherty, Eoin O’Connell