Robert Emmets advanced to the semi finals of the Duhallow under 21 hurling championship following a narrow victory over St. Marks by 1-14 to 2-9 at Lismire on Tuesday evening.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, St. Marks raced into a two point lead within three minutes. Robert Emmets responded with a fine point from full forward Barry O’Connor and an equalizing free from Donal Hannon after eight minutes. Barry O’Connor edged the home side in front before St. Marks instantly found a levelling point. St. Marks regained the lead with a fourth point in a frantic opening segment of the game. Robert Emmets did well playing into the significant breeze and Daniel Norton slotted over a point to tie the sides for a third time midway through the half. Robert Emmets hit the front with a fine goal in the eighteenth minute. Barry O’Connor and Donal Hannon were involved in the build up as they exchanged passes and Daniel Norton finished to the net in style on lifting and striking home a sublime shot. St. Marks added a point before Darragh Kearney kept his net intact with a superb close range save. St. Marks scored one final point before the half time whistle and Robert Emmets were in a favourable position leading by 1-4 to 0-6.
Donal Hannon used the wind to point a free from distance in the third minute of the second half but moments later St. Marks evaded the Robert Emmets defence to find the net and regain the lead. The Robert Emmets response was swift as Darren O’Sullivan pointed an equalizing point. Donal Hannon added a free and then pointed superbly from play on forty minutes. A St. Marks point cut the deficit to one point but Robert Emmets gradually built a lead through points from Gavin Forde and a brace of Donal Hannon frees. The defence held firm with solid displays from the half back trio of Paudie Allen, Jamie Hayes and Sean McSweeney. St. Marks put on the pressure in the remaining minutes. A point was answered immediately with a fine solo effort from Jonathan Flaherty and Robert Emmets repeated the feat with another well taken point from Michael Cottrell. A late St. Marks goal reduced the margin to just a point but from the resulting puck out, Barry O’Connor won possession and set off on a fine solo run before hitting an insurance point to complete the contest.

The Newmarket team and scorers…
Donal Hannon (0-6), Daniel Norton (1-1), Barry O’Connor (0-3), Gavin Forde (0-1), Jonathan Flaherty (0-1), Darren O’Sullivan (0-1), Michael Cottrell (0-1).

Darragh Kearney
Eoin O'Connell		Colm Noonan		Jack Guiney
Paudie Allen		Jamie Hayes		Sean McSweeney
	Gavin Forde		Alan Ryan
Jacko Flaherty		Donal Hannon		Conor O'Keeffe
Daniel Norton		Barry O'Connor		Billy Lane
Subs: Darren O'Sullivan, Michael Cottrell