Slicker Newmarket ease past Na Piarsaigh in PIFC

Sun, 26 Jul, 2020 - 09:00

John Tarrant

Newmarket 2-14

Na Piarsaigh 1-6

A sharper Newmarket got their Bons Secour Cork County Premier IFC campaign off to the best of starts by turning on the power during the second half to surge past Na Piarsaigh at a damp Banteer on Saturday.

The Deirdre O’Reilly managed side tackled their task with enthusiasm and emerged clearly the better of the two teams on duty.

They controlled the game from the opening throw in and never really were tested.

At times, Na Piarsaigh toiled bravery with honest and committed effort yet poor defending led to the concession of two goals at a crucial junction during the second half.

Newmarket had made the early running to avail of lead points to Barry O’Connor, Donal Hannon, Conor O’Keeffe and Michael Cottrell. Credit Na Piarsaigh for pulling their game together, rewarded in the ninth min. the scheming Alan Keating pounced for a well taken goal.

Na Piarsaigh's Keith Buckley is tackled by Newmarkets' Paudie Allen during the Bon Secours Cork PIFC at BanteerPicture: Eddie O'Hare

Though Newmarket remained that bit sharper with O’Keeffe adding a pair of points, Na Piarsaigh more than held their own with Shane Forde, Aaron Higgins and Hogan showing industry and cohesion. Points from Hogan, Gordon Joyce and Keith Buckley allowed Na Piarsaigh hang in as injuries to Cathal and Aidan Browne appeared to disrupt Newmarket’s fluency.

However, coming up to the break, Newmarket summoned up a burst for O’Keeffe and Hannon to find the range for a 0-9 to 1-3 advantage.

On the restart, Newmarket discovered a new urgency , owning much to the dominance of Bart Daly, Paudie Allen, Michael Cottrell, O’Keeffe and Kevin O’Sullivan.

And as the contest aged, Na Piarsaigh’s game became more lethargic, clearly evident from the concession of two goals in quick succession. Newmarket’s sharpness saw Daly intercept a kick out to set up O’Keeffe for a goal in the 38th min.

And matters worsened further for Na Piarsaigh five minutes later, another defensive lapse allowed O’Keeffe perform the spadework for substitute Ryan O’Keeffe to oblige. Na Piarsaigh attempted to stem the tide with Buckley and Keating pointing to cut the arrears.

Na Piarsaigh's Alan Keating scores a goal past Newmarkets' Mikey Browne, Paudie allen and goalkeeper Josh O'Keeffe during the Bon Secours Cork PIFC at BanteerPicture: Eddie O'Hare

However, Newmarket calmed the situation, Hannon adding to his tally with a pair of late points.

Scorers for Newmarket: C O’Keeffe 1-6(0-3f), D Hannon 0-5(0-3f), R O’Keeffe (1-1), B O’Connor, M Cottrell 0-1 each.

Na Piarsaigh: A Keating (1-1), K Buckley 0-2f, A Hogan, S Forde, G Joyce(f) 0-1 each.

NEWMARKET: J O’Keeffe; A Browne, A Ryan, M Browne; B Daly, TJ Brosnan, P Allen; M Cottrell, C Browne; D O’Keeffe, C O’Keeffe, K O’Sullivan; J Ryan, D Hannon, B O’Connor.

Subs: T O’Keeffe for C Browne (16 inj), R O’Keeffe for A Browne (20inj), D Culloty for J Ryan (45), T Murphy for D O’Keeffe (50), D Cottrell for T J Brosnan (55).

NA PIARSAIGH: J McGrath; P Murphy, E Hannifin, L Murphy; D Maguire, K Power, A Higgins; E Sheehan, S Forde; G Joyce, K Forde, K Buckley; C O’Mahony, A Hogan, A Keating.

Subs: A Dennehy for P Murphy (ht), C Bowen for L Murphy (40), D Gunning for E Sheehan (41), P Guest for C O’Mahony (51).

Referee: J Murphy (Castletownroche).