Newmarket hurlers retain Duhallow Junior crown with strong late performance against rivals Dromtarriffe

Newmarket 1-23

Dromtariffe 2-16 

NEWMARKET reaffirmed their position as the top team within Duhallow by overcoming arch rivals Dromtariffe in a rip roaring E Tarrant & Sons Skoda Dealer JAHC Final before a big attendance at Banteer on Saturday.

The reigning holders secured the verdict, their greater balance proved critical yet they endured a ferocious Dromtariffe rally that came close to saving the day.

At stages during the hour, Dromtariffe faced setbacks yet a recovery trimmed the arrears to a single point entering injury time. 

Instead of trying to hold out, Newmarket offered an aggressive offensive to finish with three late points to confirm their 17th outright title.

The sides traded early scores, a major downer for Dromtariffe saw former County player Conor O’Callaghan forced off owing to injury. 

And Newmarket quickly capitalised, a long range free from Donal Hannon, rebounded off the uprights for the alert Hugh O’Connor to net from close range.

After Hannon added two further points, Dromtariffe mounted a challenge, rewarded on a goal from Mark O’Connor. 

Though Dromtariffe lost a second player to injury on the departure of Andrew Healy, they held their own, points from the Howard brothers, cousins Evan and Brandon Murphy squared up the game.

However Newmarket regained the initiative, a quartet of points from Hannon and Cian Crowley helped secure a 1-11 to 1-7 advantage at the interval. 

Newmarket resumed the stronger of the two teams, Hannon and Hugh O’Connor splitting the upright yet they were relieved to see Dromtariffe rue missed goal opportunities.

Newmarket possessed the players to rise to the occasion, Aidan Browne and team captain Mikey Browne emerged strong and resolute at the back, Michael Cottrell and Hannon commanded the centre to allow multiple attacking threats to assume a favourable 1-17 to 1-9 position.

Dromtariffe remained in the hunt, three points from Brandon Murphy and the Howard brothers reduced the leeway 1-17 to 1-12 at three quarter stage. 

However, Newmarket appeared to be in the driving seat, substitute Barry O’Connor won a penalty but Hannon’s effort was brilliantly stopped by Dromtariffe ‘keeper Gavin O’Keeffe and the danger cleared.

Such heroics lifted Dromtariffe, from being second best, they now relished the challenge, lifted by the play of Jack Murphy, Mikey O’Gorman and Michael O’Brien with Seán Howard pointing three in a row.

Though Hannon replied with a Newmarket flag, the pendulum leaned towards Dromtariffe, Mark O’Connor booting home his second goal to leave the minimum between the sides.

Amidst a welter of excitement, going into additional time, the initiative appeared to lay with Dromtariffe to force at least a replay. 

But when the crunch came, Newmarket repelled the onslaught, showing the class to rise out the storm.

And the defending champions saw their task through to a successful conclusion, Crowley, Cathal Browne and Ryan O’Keeffe delivered timely points. 

At the full time whistle, Newmarket captain and man of the match Mikey Browne lifted the famed John Joe Brosnan Memorial Cup.

Victory allows Newmarket progress into a county JAHC and a quarter final clash against the Imokilly kingpins.

Scorers for Newmarket: D Hannon 0-10 (9f), H O’Connor 1-2, R O’Keeffe 0-3, C Crowley 0-3, M Cottrell 0-2, T Ryan, M Browne and C Browne 0-1 each.

Dromtariffe: S Howard 0-7 (5f, 1’65), M O’Connor 2-0, T Howard 0-4 (3f), B Murphy 0-2, M O’Gorman, S Coyne 0-1 each.

NEWMARKET: B Newman; P Allen; A Browne, E Goggin; J O’Keeffe, M Browne, C Cottrell; M Cottrell, D Hannon; D O’Keeffe, C Crowley, T Ryan, R O’Keeffe, C Browne, H O’Connor. 

Subs: B O’Connor for T Ryan (ht), A Ryan for E Goggin (45), M Lane for C Crowley (58).

DROMTARIFFE: G O’Keeffe; J Murphy, M O’Gorman, J Kelleher; C O’Callaghan, M O’Brien, K Cremin; S Howard, M O’Connor; B Murphy, S Coyne, E Murphy; A Healy, T Howard, D O’Keeffe. 

Subs: M Sheehan for C O’Callaghan (3 inj), D O’Connor for A Healy (20 inj).

Referee: Richard King (Kilbrin).