Whirlwind start sees off O’Donovan Rossa to set up final with Castlehaven
The Newmarket footballers made the long trip to Skibbereen on Sunday, the 18th July, to take on O’Donovan Rossa in the Cork Credit Unions League 2 semi final.
With both sides entering this stage undefeated, an intriguing contest was expected and it didn’t disappoint. Conor O’Keeffe opened the visitors account, before a Darren O’Keeffe goal on seven minutes, followed by a point from the same boot five minutes later, gave Newmarket an early 1-02 to 0-01 lead. The advantage was stretched further when midfielder Michael Cottrell hit the back of the home side’s net for another goal. A Ryan O’Keeffe point, on 17 minutes, quickly followed by a O’Donovan Rossa score, put the teams at 2-03 to 0-02, with a third of the contest played. Shortly afterwards, Newmarket completed their hat-trick of goals, this time from full-forward Conor O’Keeffe. Unlike the first two occasions, the home side responded instantly with a goal of their own, in an attempt to narrow the growing margin. A Ryan O’Keeffe free on 28 minutes completed Newmarket’s half of scoring, with the Carbery side replying in injury time, to leave it 3-04 to 1-03, in favour of the Duhallow men at the short whistle.
The home side, trailing by seven at the break, made inroads into the deficit, scoring the first four points of the second period. A Ryan O’Keeffe point from placed ball, stretched his side’s advantage back to four on 40 minutes. O’Donovan Rossa again replied before a Conor O’Keeffe mark and a Gavin Forde point pushed Newmarket’s lead out, 3-07 to 1-08. A point for the home side was followed by another Conor O’Keeffe score on 54 minutes. With time almost up, O’Donovan Rossa took the next four scores, to reduce the arrears to just a single point. Not to be undone, a Michael Cottrell point followed by a Conor O’Keeffe free on 63 minutes, ensured Newmarket won out, 3-10 to 1-13. Next up for the victors is a final meeting with Castlehaven.
The Newmarket team and scorers…
Conor O’Keeffe (1-04), Mikey Cottrell (1-01), Darren O’Keeffe (1-01), Ryan O’Keeffe (0-03), Gavin Forde (0-01).
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| Josh O'Keeffe | ||||
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| Mikey Browne | Alan Ryan | Paudie Allen | ||
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| Kevin O'Sullivan | Gavin Forde | Bart Daly | ||
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| Mikey Cottrell | T. J. Brosnan | |||
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| Tony O'Keeffe | Cathal Browne | Darren O'Keeffe | ||
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| Ryan O'Keeffe | Conor O'Keeffe | John Ryan | ||
| Subs: David Cottrell, Eddie Allen, Daniel Norton. | ||||
