Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-16
Ballyea 0-09
Venue: Fr Murphy Memorial Park
Newmarket-on-Fergus picked up their first points of the 2017 Minor B Hurling Championship with a sixteen point win on Wednesday evening played in front of a home crowd.
Three second half goals set them on their way to victory over Ballyea, the margin is somewhat flattering considering only two points separated the teams at half-time. Peter Power, Jack Enright & James McMahon raised the green flags for the Blues.
In the opening twenty minutes James McMahon dominated the scoreboard as the hosts led 0-06 0-05. A Peter Power effort was followed by a superb score from his older brother James to get the crowd clapping. Ballyea’s Colin McNeilus got the final score of the opening half with a fine point from distance to leave it 0-09 0-07.
Two McMahon white flags pushed Newmarket further ahead on the resumption. Their next two strikes changed the course of the game as Peter Power pounced on a break and struck past Oisin Hennessy who was none the wiser, the next attack another dropping ball was dispatched to the net by Jack Enright.
Referee Andy McMahon was forced to dish out a red card shortly after as tensions boiled over with Cian Meaney and Shane Lynch given the line.
As the focus switched back to the hurling, McMahon added to his account while at the other end Eamonn Breen and goalkeeper Oisin Hennessy pointed from long range. After striking for goal, Jack Enright gained some confidence with his shooting and with that put over three excellent points. James Power struck between the posts once more while McMahon had the final score of the hour as his shot from distance fell to the back of the net.
For patches Ballyea showed what they can do with the ball but the suckerpunch of conceding two goals in three minutes was one they never recovered from. Aaron Ó Griofa, Eamonn Breen and Colin McNeilus did well for the visitors.
A win was needed for Newmarket and this lift may be the boost they need as their championship campaign steps up a notch. Stronger opposition remain in their path and for the Blues to build on this win a closer eye is needed on their discipline with the concession of frees a reason a puck of the ball remained between the teams at half-time. Best for the Blues were; James McMahon, Darragh Burke, Oisin Cavanagh, Peter Power and David Frost.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Paudi Guilfoyle; Callum Blake, David Frost, PJ Enright; Oisin Cavanagh, Darragh Burke, Jason Duggan; James McMahon (1-09 5f), Eoin Guilfoyle; James Power (0-02), Shane Lynch, Stephen Casey; Éanna Crimmins, Jack Enright (1-03), Peter Power (1-02). Subs: John Duggan for Blake (53), David O’Dea for P Power (55), Ronan McCarthy for Casey (60), James Barry for Crimmins (61)
Ballyea: Oisin Hennessy; Stephen Neenan, Cian Meaney, Brian Louge; Liam Crowe, Eamonn Breen, Jack Reidy; Charlie Whelan, Colin McNeilus; Aaron Ó Griofa, Daniel Kelly, Donal McNamara; Tomás Gavin, John Ryan, Aidan Lynch.
Referee: Andy McMahon (Cratloe)