Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-11
Ennistymon 0-11
Venue: Ennistymon
Six days on from a heavy championship defeat to Smith O’Briens, Newmarket-on-Fergus regrouped with seven changes in personnel and a more determined display.
Playing with the aid of the breeze in the opening half, Newmarket boasted a three point lead (0-06 0-03) at the interval. Their lead could have been greater if more direct ball had been played to the forwards, instead their opponents made several turnovers at the middle third with passes breaking down.
The visitors were dealt a double blow with Colm McCaul sustaining a hamstring injury before the break while netminder Kieran Devitt appearing in his first competitive game since the 2011 Clare Cup Final picked up what is believed to be his first broken bone on the hurling pitch. Both had made a substantial input in the first half.
With a strong feeling that the game was theirs for the taking, Ennistymon upped the ante in the second half boosted by a now stronger breeze. They pointed from distance as the gradually chipped away at the lead.
Newmarket too had their chances but took the wrong option at vital moments which proved to be costly. Ennistymon had their opponents pinned back and under pressure as the game progressed and ended up securing a share of the spoils and an invaluable league point.
With several players missing, the Blues were forced to rely on hurlers from other panels whom certainly laid down a marker and proved they are more than capable of playing at this grade. Pakie McCormack, Pa Burke and Eoin McInerney did best for their cause while minor James Power was also impressive.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Kieran Devitt; Paudie Conway, Eoin McInerney, Pakie McCormack; Pa Burke, Paudie McMahon, Ronan McCarthy; James Warren, Colm McCaul; James Freeman, Shane Liddy, Liam Clancy; James Power, Neil Ryan, David McNamara. Subs: Eoin Frawley for McCaul (20) (Inj), Conor McCarthy for Devitt (HT) (Inj), Brian Clancy for McNamara (48).
Referee: Kieran Harvey (Ennistymon)
PIC: John Kelly/The Clare Champion