Kanturk proved too strong and powerful as they emphatically claimed the Duhallow under 21 hurling championship final on defeating a gallant Robert Emmets side by 2-20 to 2-10 at Banteer on Saturday evening.

Robert Emmets had the advantage of playing with the breeze in the opening half but it was Kanturk who opened the scoring with a third minute point. Gavin Forde equalized from a free and he repeated the feat in the twelfth minute as the sides shared the first four points. Michael Cottrell made an impact in attack and he did well to engineer a point to edge Robert Emmets in front on fourteen minutes. Kanturks response was impressive as they went on to score five points in as many minutes to steer into a four point lead. Barry O’Connor did well to point for Robert Emmets on twenty two minutes but Kanturks ability to score against the wind proved invaluable as they recorded their eighth point. Gavin Forde struck two pointed frees as Robert Emmets put up a stern challenge and a Darren O’Sullivan free approaching the interval left just two points between the sides 0-9 to 0-7 at the half time whistle.

Kanturk made full use of the elements upon the restart as they powered into the driving seat. Six points followed from all distances and angles as Kanturk stamped their class and authority on proceedings. The dominance culminated with a goal in the eleventh minute as another point followed to put Kanturk into a massive twelve point lead. Robert Emmets were stunned from this avalanche but recovered despite the setback of having a penalty saved. Impressive Tadgh Ryan pointed midway through the half as they eventually made an impact on the scoreboard. Michael McSweeney hit over a point before Donal Hannon darted through the rearguard to smash home a goal. Kanturk scored their second goal of the night before Michael Cottrell added his second point of the contest. Kanturk added a trio of points to cement their victory but Robert Emmets battled to the finish and were rewarded as Padraig Allen came forward from his defensive position to rattle the net for a second goal.

While Robert Emmets will obviously be disappointed with having to settle for the runners up spot for a third successive year they will concede that they came up against a fine Kanturk side who emerged worthy champions.

The Newmarket team and scorers…
Gavin Forde (0-4), Donal Hannon (1-0), Michael Cottrell (0-2), Darren O’Sullivan (0-1), Barry O’Connor (0-1), Michael McSweeney (0-1), Tadgh Ryan (0-1).

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