*Clare GAA Chairman Kieran Keating presents the FutureTicketing Clare Cup to Mikey McInerney. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Newmarket-on-Fergus were deservingly crowned Future Ticketing Clare cup senior hurling league champions at Clarecastle this Friday evening when they proved too strong for Inagh/Kilnamona.
Newmarket-on-Fergus 1-19
Inagh/Kilnamona 1-11
Venue: Clarecastle
A strong second quarter in which they outscored their opponents 1-7 to 0-1 proved decisive and by half time they were well on their way to victory when they held a seven point advantage as they claimed the league title for the first time since 2018.
Such was their dominance in the second quarter that they would not have been flattered by a much greater lead at the half way point.
While they traded scores throughout the second half, the winners always looked the stronger team, dominating in key areas.
They opened the scoring in the first minute through midfielder Shane Lynch but Inagh/Kilnamona responded with points from Jason Griffin, Fred Hegarty and Niall Mullins.
Newmarket then hit three in as many minutes before a foul on Fred Hegarty who showed lovely skills when flicking the ball over the heads of two opponents, resulted in a penalty which goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy converted.
That was as good as it got for the mid Clare outfit and from here to the half time whistle there was only one team in it.
A brace from Peter Power brought the sides level before Mikey McInerney shot loo to the Inagh/Kilnamona net to give his side a lead they would never lose.
Points from Stephen Casey, Noel Frawley, Niall O’Connor and a brace from Power followed putting the Blues 1-11 to 1-4 ahead when the half time whistle sounded.
It could have been much worse for Inagh/Kilnamona given that the winners had shot seven wides in that first half while also failing to convert a couple of good goal opportunities.
Points were swapped twice inside the opening ten minutes of the new half before Newmarket sent in the experienced Colin Ryan and, at the midpoint of the half, he struck for the first of his two points.
While Inagh/Kilnamona matched their opponents point for point in this half, it’s fair to say that Newmarket never looked to be in any great danger and they were always able to answer any score which their opponents registered.
The O’Connors Sean and Niall and Colin Guilfoyle dominated in the winner’s defence, Shane Lynch got through a lot of work at midfield while while Peter Power James Freeman and Colin Ryan when introduced were prominent up front.
For a disappointsing Inagh/Kilnamona side, Colin Shannon, Jason McCarthy, Seamus Foudy, Fred Hegarty and Keith Barry worked hard.
Scorers Newmarket-on-Fergus: Peter Power (0-6, 3f); Mikey McInerney (1-1); Niall O’Connor, James Freeman, Colin Ryan (0-2) each; Colin Guilfoyle (free), Shane Lynch, Stephen Casey Noel Frawley, Eoin Hayes, Sean Arthur (0-1) each;
Scorers Inagh/Kilnamona; Fred Hegarty (0-4, all frees); Eamonn Foudy (1-0, penalty); Keith Barry, Niall Mullins (0-2|) each; James Hegarty (free), Jason Griffin, Eoghan Foudy (0-1) each
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Padraic Guilfoyle; Sean O’Connor, Colin Guilfoyle, Jack Enright; Noel Frawley, John Feehily, Niall O’Connor; Shane Lynch, Stephen Casey; James Power, Eoin Hayes, James Freeman; Peter Power, Mikey McInerney, Eanna Crimmins;
Subs; Colin Ryan for J. Power (45); Sean Arthur for E. Hayes (49); Conor McCarthy for N. O’Connor; Mark Delaney for J. Enright; Cathal Hayes for P. Power (blood); Aaron Moroney for J. Freeman;
Inagh/Kilnamona; Eamonn Foudy; Conor Rynne, Colin Shannon, Kevin Hehir; Brian Foudy, James Hegarty, Jason McCarthy; Seamus Foudy, Jason Griffin; Fred Hegarty, Darren Cullinan, Keith Barry; Evan McNamara, Eoghan Foudy, Niall Mullins
Subs: Cathal McConigley for K Hehir (20); Jamie Wynne for J. Griffin (41); Josh Guyler for E. McNamara (42);Thomas Barry for Eoghan Foudy (44); Pat Kelly for Eamonn Foudy (52);
Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones);
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