Newmarket succumbed to reigning, three in a row Duhallow hurling champions Kilbrin by 1-20 to 2-10 in the Kanturk Co-Op Mart Duhallow Junior Hurling Championship quarter final played in perfect sunny conditions before a large attendance at Banteer on Saturday evening.

Kilbrin were first to point in the opening minutes but were very erratic in their shooting for much of the opening half. Time and again, Kilbrin saw efforts from placed balls and open play veer either side of the uprights. In the ninth minute, Newmarket goalkeeper Shane McAuliffe produced the first of a string of brilliant saves to deny Kilbrin a goal. Despite being put under pressure, the Newmarket defence had outstanding performers in John Ryan, Padraig Allen and Robert Stack who hurled superbly throughout. Donal Hannon scored Newmarket’s first point from a free after thirteen minutes to tie the sides. Shane McAuliffe dived full length to deny a close in free before Kilbrin notched their second point of the evening. Newmarket kept in touch as John Lane soon brought parity to proceedings for a second time. Newmarket led as Donal Hannon struck a point but Kilbrin pointed as the sides remained deadlocked after twenty three minutes of play. Kilbrin found their scoring range in the closing minutes of the half. A point edged Kilbrin in front before moments later they struck for a well worked goal to finally find a way through the Newmarket rearguard. Another two points stretched the lead to six points in a matter of a few minutes. Donal Hannon hit two Newmarket points before Kilbrin completed the scoring to enter the half time break with a lead of 1-7 to 0-5.

Kilbrin had a point in the second minute after the resumption before Newmarket were invigorated by a goal moments later. Barry O’Connor gathered possession and made his way goalwards before nestling a shot into the top corner of the net. Kilbrin quickly responded with two points before a Donal Hannon point brought Newmarket to within four points. Kilbrin were next to score but Newmarket’s challenge gathered momentum as Donal Hannon and a neatly taken point from Ian Flanagan left the score reading 1-11 to 1-8 on thirty nine minutes. Newmarket showed great character and spirit and brought themselves right back into contention midway through the half. Donal Hannon stood up to a close in free and lashed the ball home past a crowded goalline for an equalizing goal. Kilbrin quickly regained the lead with two points but Newmarket were back within a point as Conor O’Keeffe clipped over a score. Kilbrin dominated the final ten minutes of the game. Gradually they pulled away as they reeled over five points in as many minutes. John Lane hit a point for Newmarket but Kilbrin were far more clinical in the final quarter as two final points confirmed their victory.

The Newmarket team and scorers…
Donal Hannon (1-6), Barry O’Connor (1-0), John Lane (0-2), Ian Flanagan (0-1), Conor O’Keeffe (0-1),  Tony O’Keeffe (0-1).

Shane McAuliffe
Jack Guiney		Robert Stack		Paudie Allen
Gavin Forde		John Ryan		Alan Ryan
	Ian Flanagan		Pa O’Brien
Barry O'Connor		Kevin O'Sullivan		John Lane
Conor O'Keeffe		Donal Hannon		Tony O'Keeffe
Subs: Nicky Flanagan, Jamie Hayes, Jonathan Flaherty.