A strong display in the final ten minutes from a sharper Tullylease side inflicted a first league defeat for the Newmarket hurlers, 2-20 to 2-16 in a high scoring league game played at Newmarket on Tuesday evening.

Tullylease set the trend for a free flowing encounter as they pointed within seconds of the throw in. Donal Hannon replied quickly for Newmarket to tie the sides for the first of nine times during the hour. Newmarket took the lead on points from Donal Hannon and a monstrous free scored by Gavin Forde. Tullylease added a second point but John Ryan found the target for a fourth Newmarket point. Tullylease were next to score but Newmarket struck for the games first goal when Barry O’Connor sent a ball probing goalwards and Tony O’Keeffe was on hand to supply the finishing touch to the net. Tullylease answered with a goal and midway through the half, Newmarket held a slender lead of 1-4 to 1-3. Tullylease tied the scores for a second time and the next six points were divided, with Newmarket pegged back each time despite points from Gavin Forde, Barry O’Connor and a superb sideline cut from Donal Hannon as both sides provided excellent entertainment and remained deadlocked on the scoreboard. Newmarket had a storming finish to the half which yielded five points in as many minutes. Donal Hannon frees started and completed the sequence with Paul Verling, John Scanlon and Tony O’Keeffe also on target during this productive spell. A Tullylease free completed the first half’s proceedings and Newmarket went into the interval with a four point advantage, 1-12 to 1-8.

Tullylease resumed with the wind to their backs and after initially pointing a free they scored an equalizing goal in the fifth minute before a quickly followed point regained the visitors a narrow lead. Newmarket replied in the best possible manner with Barry O’Connor prominent before placing a pass to Ian Flanagan who expertly found the net with an excellent first time finish. Newmarket established a two point advantage as Donal Hannon answered two Tullylease points with two points, the first his second memorable sideline cut of the night. With the game entering the final quarter, Tullylease found two levelling points. Once again, each side traded points with Donal Hannon and John Scanlon ensuring the sides were tied for a ninth time going into the final ten minutes. Tullylease rose to the task and hit four unanswered points in an impressive finish as Newmarket fell short with nine second half wides not helping their cause.

The Newmarket team and scorers…

Gavin Forde (0-2), Ian Flanagan (1-0), John Ryan (0-1), John Scanlon (0-2), Donal Hannon (0-8), Paul Verling (0-1), Tony O’Keeffe (1-1), Barry O’Connor (0-1)

Shane McAuliffe
Jack Guiney		Jamie Hayes		Nicky Flanagan
Donnacha Fitzpatrick		Alan Ryan		Gavin Forde
	Ian Flanagan		John Ryan
John Scanlon		Donal Hannon		Eddie Allen
Paul Verling		Tony O'Keeffe		Barry O'Connor
Subs: John Lane