Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA club is situated just off the M18 motorway between Shannon and Ennis. The club is one of the oldest in Clare having been established in 1885. We are competitive in all age groups, currently holding the clare senior hurling title. Our club is run by the volunteers of Newmarket-on-Fergus and it is their hard work that maintains the club. The schools in the parish are Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire (Newmarket Village), Stonehall N.S., Ballycar N.S., and Clonmoney N.S., all of which enjoy a proud sporting tradition. As a result, we put great efforts into our underage sports with the quality of young hurlers available to us, and we are always delighted to welcome new faces to the club.
Click on the sections below and take a trip down memory lane and recapture the wonderful moments in our club history.
County Final Successes Year: 1887
Date: July 10th
Finalists: Newmarket: Score TBD Cratloe: Score TBD
Venue: Newmarket
Captain: Pat O’Neill (Rathfoland)
Line Out: 21 a side
Forwards: James Hannon (Kilulla) Pat Carthy (Kilnasoolagh) John Clara (Lemenagh) Michael O’Neill (Rathfoland)
Scrimmage: Pat McNamara (Kilnasoolagh Tom O’Neill (Ballygireen) Tom Egan (Newmarket) Pat Clara (Lemenagh) James Sheehan (Ballyconnolly) Michael O’Grady (Trenahow)
Whips: John O’Neill and Tom O’Neill (Newmarket)
Quarter Backs: James McNamara (Kilnasoolagh) Pat O’Grady (Trenahow) Martin Sheehan (Balltconnolly) Michael Philips (Urlanmore)
Half Backs: Tom Carthy (Ballysallagh) Pat Sheehan (Ballyconnolly) Charlie Hickey (Newmarket)
Full Back: Pat O’Neill (Rathfoland) Captain
Year: 1888
Date: June 3rd
Finalists:
Newmarket: 2 points Kilmacduane (Cooraclare): 1 point
Venue: Hannon’s Field, Kilulla, Newmarket
Captain: John O’Neill
Line Out: As 1887 plus the following
J and Bryan O’Grady (Trenahow) Martin and Jack Philips (Urlanmore) Jim and Jack Ahern (Lislea) ‘Skibber’ and Martin Burke (Clenagh) Miko Sheehan (Ballyconnolly) Scotch Markham (Carrygerry) John Hannon (Kilulla) Tommy Frawley (Clenagh) Padraig Monahan (Ballysallagh) Jim Burke (Monafola) Miko Murphy (Carrowbane) Mike Conroy, John Burke and Frank Coffey.
Year: 1912
Date: July 6th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-3 Tulla 3-1
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: Tommy Doherty
Line Out: Tommy Doherty, Micko (Whale) Killeen, Rob Doherty, Jim Bawn Clancy, James Hassett, Martin Liddy, Stephen Markham, Johnnie O’Leary, Jim Guerin, Andy Callinan, Paddy Conroy, Paddy Doherty, Jack Hayes, Mick Doherty, Lewy Halpin, Jack Bawn Clancy.
Subs: Mick Liddy, John Fox, Michael Cusack, Ignatius Clune, Michael Lynch
Year: 1916
Date: June 24th
Finalists: Newmarket 8-2 Ennis Dals 2-2
Venue: PJ Flanagans Field, Newmarket
Captain: Rob Doherty
Line Out: Rob Doherty, George O’Dea, Tommy Doherty, Jim Bawn Clancy, Jim Hassett, Martin Liddy, Stephen Markham, Johnnie O’Leary, Jim Guerin, Andy Callinan, Paddy Conroy, Paddy Doherty, John Fox, M Hayes, Mick Doherty, Lewy Halpin, Jack Bawn Clancy, ____ Higgins, ____ Halpin.
Year: 1925
Date: November 29th
Finalists: Newmarket 4-2 Tulla 0-3
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: Mick Doherty
Line Out: Mick Doherty, George O’Dea, Pat Finn, Andy Callinan, Michael Lynch, Mick O’Rourke, Michael Bocky Conroy, Jimmo Higgins, Monty Murphy, Paddy Malone, Michael Arthur, Jack Flanagan, Tom Arthur, Jim Clancy, Joe Edgy McMahon, John Fox.
Sub: John Joe Doyle
Year: 1926
Date: October 10th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-5 O’Callaghans Mills 2-3
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: Mick Doherty
Line Out: Mick Doherty, George O’Dea, Pat Finn, Andy Callinan, Michael Lynch, Mick O’Rourke, Michael Bocky Conroy, Jimmo Higgins, Monty Murphy, John Joe Doyle, Paddy Malone, Michael Arthur, Jack Flanagan, Tom Arthur, Jim Clancy, Joe Edgy McMahon, John Fox, Martin Conway, Jim Hassett, Stephen Markham, James Cullinan, Willie Frawley.
Year: 1927
Date: October 2nd
Finalists: Newmarket 0-26 Ennis Dals 0-06 (Exact score not known)
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: Mick Doherty
Line Out: Mick Doherty, George O’Dea, Pat Finn, Andy Callinan, Jack Moroney, Jim Hassett, Mick O’Rourke, Michael Bocky Conroy, Monty Murphy, John Joe Doyle, Paddy Malone, Michael Arthur, Jim Flanagan, Tom Arthur, Jim Clancy, Joe Edgy McMahon.
Year: 1930
Date: September 7th
Finalists: Newmarket 6-3 Ennis Dals 3-3
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: Mick Doherty
Line Out: Mick Doherty, George O’Dea, Micko Purcell, Mick Mower McMahon, Patrick McNamara, Mick Malone, Jack Moroney, Mick O’Rourke, Michael Bocky Conroy, Monty Murphy, John Joe Doyle, Paddy Malone, Jim Flanagan, Tom Arthur, T McNamara, Joe Edgy McMahon.
Year: 1931
Date: September 6th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-4 Ennis Dals 1-3
Venue: Showgrounds, Ennis
Captain: John Joe Doyle
Line Out: George O’Dea, Micko Purcell, Mick Mower McMahon, Patrick Hound McNamara, Mick Malone, Jack Moroney, Mick O’Rourke, Michael Bocky Conroy, Monty Murphy, John Joe Doyle, Paddy Malone, Jim Flanagan, Tom Arthur, Joe Edgy McMahon, Anthony Faul.
Year: 1936
Date: October 11th
Finalists: Newmarket 6-2 Clarecastle 2-3
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Unknown (Tim McNamara?)
Line Out: Clement Flanagan, Timothy McNamara, PJ Quain (Cratloe), Joe Kilmartin, Pakie Lillis, Daniel Quain (Cratloe), Micko Purcell, Patrick Hound McNamara, Mick Malone, John Moroney, Mick O’Rourke, Monty Murphy, John Joe Doyle, Jim Flanagan, Tom Arthur.
Year: 1955
Date: September 25th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-9
Eire Og 3-3
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Jimmy Halpin
Line Out: Jimmy Halpin, Lewy Halpin, Joe Crimmins, Mick Grace, Gerry Fahy, Monty Flanagan, Kevin Marren, Frank O’Brien, Jimmy Carney, Billy Halpin, Padraig Crimmins, Mick Arthur, John Jazzer Slattery, Pat Greene, Jackie Greene.
Subs: Jack Hogan, Pat Halpin, Paddy Cusack, Tom Keane, Paddy Keane, Con Syncox, Austin Conroy, Ger Buddy McMahon, Paddy Frawley, Conleth Conroy
Year: 1963
Date: August 25th
Finalists: Newmarket 6-10 Whitegate 3-7
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Ger Buddy McMahon
Line Out: Jim Woods, Buddy McMahon, Don O’Neill, lewy Halpin, Gerry Fawl, Jim Cullinane, Vincent Hogan, Liam Danagher, Joe Hannon, Pat Halpin, John Quinn, Pat Cronin, Paddy McNamara, Tom Melody, Tom Keane.
Subs: Mike O’Leary, Noel Carroll, Jimmy Hourigan, Dominic McMahon, Donie Danagher, Mike Considine, PJ McMahon
Year: 1964
Date: September 20th
Finalists: Newmarket 8-12 Clarecastle 5-7
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Ger Buddy McMahon
Line Out: Jim Woods, Buddy McMahon, Mike Considine, Lewy Halpin, Gerry Fawl, Vincent Hogan, Joe Hannon, Liam Danagher, Hubbie McCabe, Pat Halpin, Paddy McNamara, Pat Cronin, John Quinn, Tom Melody, Mike O’Leary.
Subs: Sean Murphy, Don O’Neill, Tom Keane, Michael Power, Tom Cullinan, Kevin Toomey, Dominic McMahon.
Year: 1965
Date: August 29th
Finalists: Newmarket 2-6 Eire Og 1-6
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Jim Cullinan
Line Out: Kevin Toomey, Buddy McMahon, Mike Considine, Lewy Halpin, Gerry Fawl, Jim Cullinan, Jim Woods, Liam Danagher, Hubbie McCabe, Joe Hannon, Gus Lohan, Pat Cronin, John Quinn, Tom Melody, Sean Murphy.
Subs: Mike O’Leary, Pat Halpin, Val Arthur, Don O’Neill, Tom Keane, Michael Power, Tom Cullinan, Dominic McMahon.
Year: 1967
Date: November 5th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-10 Clarecastle 2-4
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Pat Cronin
Line Out: Kevin Toomey, John O’Leary, Mike Considine, Lewy Halpin, Jim Cullinan, Gus Lohan, Joe Hannon, Jim Woods, Liam Danagher, Liam Griffin, Paddy McNamara, Pat Cronin, Mike O’Leary, Tom Melody, Michael Arthur.
Subs: Johnny Quinn, Gerry Fawl, Pat Daly, Jimmy McNamara, Dominic McMahon, Pat O’Leary, Buddy McMahon.
Year: 1968
Date: September 8th
Finalists: Newmarket 2-8 Clarecastle 1-9
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Jim Cullinan
Line Out: Kevin Toomey, Jim Woods, Mike Considine, Lewy Halpin, Gerry Fawl, Gus Lohan, Joe Hannon, Liam Danagher, Jim Cullinan, Liam Griffin, Paddy McNamara, Val Arthur, Jim McNamara, Mike O’Leary, Pat O’Leary.
Subs: Johnny McMahon, Michael Fawl, Pat Daly, Gerry Gleeson, Dominic McMahon, Mike McMahon, Con Woods, John Considine, Paddy McCormack, Pat Cronin.
Year: 1969
Date: August 17th
Finalists:
Newmarket 3-5 Clarecastle 2-8
Replay: Newmarket 9-13 Clarecastle 3-6
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Michael Arthur
Line Out: (Drawn Tie) Kevin Toomey, Jim Woods, Mike Considine, Lewy Halpin, John O’Leary, Gus Lohan, Joe Hannon, Pat Daly, Jimmy McNamara, Paddy McNamara, Jim Cullinan, Michael Kilmartin, Mike Arthur, Hubbie McCabe.
Subs: Mike O’Leary, Liam Danagher, Pat O’Leary, Joe Hannon, Johnny McMahon, Gerry Gleeson, Billy Meehan, Val Arthur, Mike McMahon.
Line Out: (Replay) Kevin Toomey, John O’Leary, Mike Considine, Billy Meehan, Johnny McMahon, Gus Lohan, Jim Cullinan, Liam Danagher, Hubbie McCabe, Jimmy McNamara, Paddy McNamara, Pat O’Leary, Michael Kilmartin, Mike Arthur, Mike O’Leary.
Subs: Joe Hannon, Johnny McMahon, Gerry Gleeson, Billy Meehan, Val Arthur, Mike McMahon, Gerry Fawl, Pat Daly, Lewy Halpin, Jim Woods.
Year: 1971
Date:
Finalists: Newmarket 3-9 Clarecastle 2-12
Newmarket 2-7 Clarecastle 1-7 (Replay)
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Gus Lohan
Line Out: Kevin Toomey, John O’Leary, Michael Considine, Billy Meehan, DJ Meehan, Con Woods, Gus Lohan, Mick Pewter, Pat O’Leary, Jim Cullinane, Paddy McNamara, Timmy Ryan, Jimmy McNamara, Michael Kilmartin, Jim Woods
Subs: John McMahon, Mike Arthur, Con Woods, Mike O’Leary, Pat Daly, Lewy Halpin, Val Arthur, Liam Danagher, Paddy McCormack, Jim O’Leary, Gerry Gleeson, Sean Liddy, Mike McMahon.
Year: 1972
Date: October 29th
Finalists: Newmarket 7-8 St Senan’s 3-5
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Jim McNamara
Line Out: John McMahon, John O’Leary, Michael Considine, Billy Meehan, DJ Meehan, Con Woods, Paddy Daly, Liam Danagher, Pat O’Leary, Jimmy McNamara, Paddy McNamara, Mick Pewter, Michael Kilmartin, Jim Woods, Mike O’Leary.
Subs: Timmy Ryan, Michael Arthur, Mike McCormack, Paddy McCormack, Lewy Halpin, Frank O’Grady, Val Arthur.
Year: 1973
Date:
Finalists: Newmarket 7-10 Clarecastle 4-16
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Michael Kilmartin
Line Out: Christy Ryan, John O’Leary, Michael Considine, DJ Meehan, Con Woods, Gus Lohan, Johnny McMahon, Pat O’Leary, Timmy Ryan, Jimmy McNamara, Paddy McNamara, Billy Meehan, Michael Kilmartin, Sean Liddy, Mike O’Leary.
Subs: Frankie Grady, Paddy Daly, Jim O’Leary, Mick Pewter, John Toomey, Jim Woods, Val Arthur, Pat Ryan, Michael Arthur.
Year: 1974
Date: October 6th
Finalists: Newmarket 1-6 Crusheen 2-2
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Pat O’Leary
Line Out: Christy Ryan, John O’Leary, Gus Lohan, Johnny McMahon, DJ Meehan, Con Woods, Billy Meehan, Pat O’Leary, Pat Daly, Jimmy McNamara, Paddy McNamara, Mike Pewter, Michael Kilmartin, Sean Liddy, Timmy Ryan.
Subs: Frankie Grady, John Toomey, Mike Considine, Mike O’Leary, Jim Woods, Val Arthur, Lewy Halpin, Jim O’Leary.
Year: 1976
Date: October 24th
Finalists: Newmarket 1-11 Sixmilebridge 1-5
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Jim McNamara
Line Out: Christy Ryan, John O’Leary, Mike Considine, Johnny McMahon, DJ Meehan, Gus Lohan, Billy Meehan, Con Woods, Pat O’Leary, Jimmy McNamara, Gerry Commane, Jim Cullinan, Paddy McNamara, Michael Kilmartin, Sean Liddy.
Subs: Timmy Ryan, Frankie Grady, John Toomey, Mike O’Leary, Jim Woods, Paddy Daly, Joe McInerney.
Year: 1978
Date: October 22nd
Finalists: Newmarket 3-10 Clarecastle 2-08
Venue: Tulla
Captain: Johnny McMahon
Line Out: Christy Ryan, John O’Leary, John Ryan, Frank Corbett, DJ Meehan, Gus Lohan, Johnny McMahon, Con Woods, Pat O’Leary, Jimmy McNamara, Sean Liddy, Jim Cullinan, Timmy Ryan, Michael Kilmartin, Paddy McNamara
Subs: Mike O’Leary, John Toomey, Frankie Grady, Pat Devanney, Pat Daly, Seanie McMahon, Gerry Commane, PJ Cusack, Pat Coughlan, Dessie Hayes, Donal Lawlor, Martin Ryan.
Year: 1981
Date: August 30th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-8 Tubber 1-10
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: John Ryan
Line Out: Christy Ryan, John O’Leary, John Ryan, Gus Lohan, DJ Meehan, Seanie McMahon, John McMahon, Timmy Ryan, Pat O’Leary, Dessie Hayes, Sean Liddy, Julian Crimmins, Pat Devanny, Paddy McNamara, Michael Kilmartin.
Subs: Eugene Moore, Con Woods, Frank Corbett, Jim Cullinan, John Toomey, Donal Lawlor, Denis Foley, Pat Corry, Pat Duggan, Pat Fawl.
Year: 2012
Date: October 28th
Finalists: Newmarket 3-10 Cratloe 0-09
Venue: Cusack Park
Captain: Enda Barrett
Line Out: Darren Duggan, Eoin O’Brien, James McInerney, Sean O’Connor, Niall O’Connor, Enda Barrett, Alan Barrett, Eoin Hayes, Martin O’Hanlon, David Barrett, Shane O’Brien, Mike McInerney, Shane O’Brien (junior), Anthony Kilmartin, Colin Ryan.
Subs: James Liddy, Ronan Good, Niall Enright[/x_accordion_item][x_accordion_item title=”2012 County Final” open=”false”]Newmarket end 31 years of hurt
Monday, October 29, 2012
By Diarmuid O’Flynn
Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-10 Cratloe 0-09
It’s taken 31 years since their last win but Newmarket-on-Fergus are once again the kingpins in Clare hurling, victors over 2009 champions Cratloe and thus extending their record at the top of the roll of honour to 23 titles.
“This is for every player who has worn this jersey for the last 31 years,” said Newmarket captain Enda Barrett (who had played a real captain’s role with a storming display at centre-back) in accepting the Canon Hamilton Cup.
It was a sentiment echoed by man-of-the-match Colin Ryan, who finished with 1-8 to his credit. “This is a day we’ve been waiting for and it has finally come,” he said; “All the hurt of the last 31 years is finally ended.
As the scoreline would suggest it was a victory well earned by Newmarket, though belying that same scoreline is the fact that it wasn’t easily earned. Goals were the difference, the first of the three conceded by Cratloe inside the first minute but setting the tone for the rest of the game.
It came off a massive free by long-striking full-back James McInerney (another of Newmarket’s outstanding performers on the day), corner-forward Shane O’Brien jnr. pouncing on a breaking ball to give Seán Hayes no chance in the Cratloe goal.
Cratloe managed to battle back from that early blow, were two points behind after 17 minutes courtesy of points from Seán Collins and Conor McGrath (2), but in the 21st minute came the second body-blow, young O’Brien again the finisher from close range. That score made it 2-3 to 0-3 and when Cratloe lost their captain Barry Duggan to injury a couple of minutes later, it left them with a mountain to climb.
“Obviously Barry was a loss,” said Cratloe manager Joe McGrath; “He’s a leader on our team and losing him before half-time wasn’t good news for us, but even before that we were in a bit of trouble.”
Those two goals remained the difference at the break, 2-6 to 0-6, and Cratloe would now have the wind at their backs. Conditions then began to deteriorate, however, very heavy rain on top of the bitter cold, and scoring, even for a team with a plethora of senior county panellists, was now going to be at a premium. So it proved. With James McInerney and Enda Barrett rock solid down the middle, the outstanding Eoin O’Brien and Seán O’Connor in control in the corners, Niall O’Connor and Alan Barrett winning their individual battles on the wing, Newmarket simply shut up shop in that second half.
Three points was all that high-powered Cratloe attack could manage in the second half, the first of those not coming until the 47th minute, Seán Collins with the finish. It wasn’t just the Newmarket back six excelling in denying Cratloe, however, nor even keeper Darren Duggan who made a brilliant save in the 54th minute to deny the same Seán Collins; the attack also played their part, said captain Enda.
“The forwards played like real warriors, they defended, worked so hard to close Cratloe down when they had the ball. The defence started there, up front, and it worked its way all the way to the back. It was a great team performance.”
Newmarket weren’t finding it easy to come by scores either in that second period, let it be said, managed just 1-4 and all of that came from Colin Ryan, his cracking individual goal in the 59th minute really putting the cap on an impressive display, both individual and team.
An emphatic win then for Newmarket-on-Fergus who now go on to meet De La Salle of Waterford in the Munster club championship.
Scorers for Newmarket: C Ryan 1-8 (7f); S O’Brien jnr. 2-0; D Barrett 0-2.
Scorers for Cratloe: C McGrath 0-5 (4f); S Collins 0-2; D Browne, L Markham (f), 0-1 each.
Newmarket-On -Fergus subs: J Liddy (Kilmartin 44); R Goode (Hayes 58); N Enright (D Barrett inj. 60).
Cratloe subs: D Browne (Duggan inj. 23); A Browne (D Ryan 30); S O’Leary (G Ryan 39); S Gleeson (Chaplin 45).
Referee: A Heagney (Corofin).
Clare SHC final: Newmarket are back
29 October 2012
Newmarket-on-Fergus celebrate. INPHO
Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-10 Cratloe 0-9
Clare’s most successful hurling club, Newmarket-on-Fergus, came in from the cold to claim their 23rd Canon Hamilton Cup after storming to victory over local rivals Cratloe in poor conditions at Cusack Park, Ennis.
In capturing their first title since 1981, Newmarket overpowered the 2009 champions, which was surprising given the recent history of close contests between the sides. The winners got off to the perfect start when corner forward Shane O’Brien lashed home a first-minute goal after the Cratloe defence had failed to clear James McInerney’s long delivery from a free.
O’Brien grabbed his second goal in the 21st minute after being set up by full forward Anthony Kilmartin and the champions-elect were 2-5 to 0-3 in front coming up to half-time. But with Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney impressive up front, Cratloe had closed the gap to six points, 0-6 to 2-6, by the break.
Bob Enright’s charges re-established their eight-point lead on the restart thanks to a brace of Colin Ryan points. With James McInerney, Eoin O’Brien and captain Enda Barrett outstanding at the back for Newmarket, Cratloe struggled to create scoring chances and their fate was sealed when Ryan scored a superb third goal with five minutes remaining.
Cratloe’s Sean Collins could have pulled back a goal in the closing stages, but was denied by a brilliant save from Newmarket ‘keeper Darran Duggan.
Newmarket: D Duggan, E OBrien, J McInerney, S OConnor, N OConnor, E Barrett (Capt.), A Barrett, E Hayes, M OHanlon, M McInerney, C Ryan (1-8, seven frees), D Barrett (0-2), S OBrien (2-0), A Kilmartin, S OBrien Snr. Subs: J Liddy for Kilmartin (43 mins), R Goode for Hayes (58 mins), N Enright for D Barrett (59 mins).
Cratloe: S Hayes, J OGorman, B Duggan (Capt), E Boyce, M Hawes, C Ryan, L Markham (0-1, 65) M Murphy, S Chaplin, P Collins, D Ryan, S Collins (0-1), C McInerney (0-1), C McGrath (0-5, four frees), G Ryan. Subs: D Browne (0-1) for Duggan (22 mins), A Browne for D Ryan (h-t), S OLeary for G Ryan (38 mins), S Gleeson for Chaplin (45 mins).
Referee: A Heagney (Corofin)
Blues back on top
Senior Championship Final 2012
By Diarmuid Greene
Newmarket-on-Fergus 3-10 Cratloe 0-09
It was a truly emotional occasion to savour for Newmarket Blues, young and old on Sunday as they finally reclaimed the Canon Hamilton. And as if they channelled all those 31 years of hurt into one hour, the players produced a devastating display of hunger and determination to emphatically take back the overdue crown.
From Colin Ryan’s scores and box-to-box energy to goalkeeper Darren Duggan’s late save, Newmarket were man-for-man the far superior side while the management also had the alchemist’s touch when it came to making the big calls as Shane O’Brien Jnr’s surprise inclusion in the starting line-up for only the second time this year reaped full dividends with a first half brace of goals.
As collectively impressive as Newmarket’s meticulous tunnel-vision gameplan manifested itself, equally Cratloe were strangely muted or perhaps were not let ease into their freeflowing style by a ravenous Newmarket side that hunted and stifled in packs.
Cratloe essentially lacked their usual freshenss and zip and more significantly their supplyline to chief threats Conor McGrath and Cathal McInerney was cut off to such an extent that neither would score from play.
In contrast, this was a Newmarket display that supporters had never witnessed before, especially in a county final, and their large following soaked up every minute of it as the Blues led from start to finish before easing to the biggest county final victory in twelve years.
Even more amazingly, Newmarket garnered the long awaited Holy Grail by means of only three scorers over the hour. Shane O’Brien’s two early goals certainly had a huge settling effect as did David Barrett’s brace of successive points around the end of the opening quarter. However, from the 21st minute on, it was the ever-reliable Colin Ryan that commanded the performance, popping up all over the field to aid the cause, convert frees as well as scoring an opportunistic late goal that put the game beyond any shadow of a doubt.
In truth, that doubt seeped in as early as the opening minute when a James McInerney free from his own full-back line broke to Shane O’Brien Jnr to finish to the net from close range. It was the perfect start that they craved following pervious final defeats in ’06 and ’08 and it gave them a comfortable cushion to rest on for the remainder of the opening quarter.
Colin Ryan and Sean Collins traded points soon afterwards before David Barrett’s double was equally matched by Conor McGrath’s placed balls but just as Cratloe were finding their feet, Newmarket decisively struck for goal again.
It was the same executioner and a similar route one delivery that unlocked the door once more, this time from David Barrett, whose pass was held up by Anthony Kilmartin before cleverly handpassing over the top for poacher O’Brien in the 21st minute.
Their advantage was stretched to eight soon afterwards with a duo of frees, and much like St Joseph’s first half plight in the football decider a week earlier, they seemed no way back for a bewildered Cratloe. They did lift themselves sufficiently before the break however, with three unanswered points, two from McGrath easing the pain somewhat.
However, while they would have the wind to come for the second period, Cratloe clearly needed a major transformation to make any inroads into the 2-6 to 0-6 half-time deficit.
It didn’t happen and really never looked like happening as Newmarket simply picked up where they left off to score the first three points of the new half, all from the unstoppable Ryan.
Cratloe’s management team emptied the bench and reshuffled the on-field pack, even pushing centre-back Conor Ryan into the forward division in the hope of sparking some sort of a revivial. However, nothing seemed to work for the unusually lacklustre side, and as the game developed, the harder they tried, the more frustrated they became as Newmarket defended obdurately and heroically against the dual dangers of McGrath and Cathal McInerney.
Trailing by nine points with less than seven minutes remaining, Cratloe did finally carve open a guilt-edged goal chance that might have offered a glimmer of hope but Sean Collins’ shot was excellently saved by advancing goalkeeper Darren Duggan.
Less than a minute later, Colin Ryan robbed possession to raid for Newmarket’s third goal and finally the Blues supporters could see the finish line.
The final whistle was greeted by both disbelief and elation as this Newmarket squad had achieved something that many had thought was beyond them after the sinking final defeats of ’06 and ’08.
But this was a new Newmarket side, backed by three adult championship titles in the last twelve months as they deservedly carved their names onto title number 23 for the Blues.
The perceived curse had finally been lifted. The Blues are back and going on this emphatic breakthrough, they are planning to stay at the helm for a while.
Newmarket-on-Fergus Darren Duggan, Sean O’Connor, James McInerney, Eoin O’Brien, Niall O’Connor, Enda Barrett (Capt.), Alan Barrett, Eoin Hayes, Martin O’Hanlon, David Barrett (0-2), Colin Ryan (1-8 7f), Mike McInerney, Shane O’Brien Jnr (2-0), Anthony Kilmartin, Shane O’Brien Snr
Subs James Liddy for Kilmartin (43 mins), Ronan Goode for Hayes (58 mins), Niall Enright for D. Barrett (60 mins)
Cratloe Sean Hayes, John O’Gorman, Barry Duggan (Capt.), Enda Boyce, Michael Hawes, Conor Ryan, Liam Markham (0-1 ’65), Martin Oige Murphy, Sean Chaplin, Padraic Collins, David Ryan, Sean Collins (0-2), Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath (0-4f), Gearoid Ryan (0-1)
Subs Damien Browne (0-1) for Duggan (22 mins, inj), Aidan Browne for D. Ryan (HT), Shane O’Leary for G. Ryan (38 mins), Shane Gleeson for Chaplin (45 mins)
Referee Ambrose Heagney (Corofin)
Winning Captains
1912 Tommy Doherty
1916 Rob Doherty
1925 Mick Doherty
1926 Mick Doherty
1927 Mick Doherty
1930 Mick Doherty
1931 John Joe Doyle
1936 Tim McNamara?
1955 Jimmy Halpin
1963 Gerard McMahon
1964 Gerard McMahon
1965 Jim Cullinan
1967 Pat Cronin
1968 Jim Cullinan
1969 Michael Arthur
1971 Gus Lohan
1972 Jim McNamara
1973 Michael Kilmartin
1974 Pat O’Leary
1976 Jim McNamara
1978 Johnny McMahon
1981 John Ryan
2012 Enda Barrett
Railway Cup Players
Munster Representation
1. John Joe Doyle
2. Jackie Greene
3. Pat Cronin
4. Liam Danagher
5. Jim Cullinan
6. Paddy McNamara
7. Michael Considine
8. Johnny McMahon
9. Colin Ryan