Bodie to the rescue for Newmarket

THE movement was often poor, much of the passing sloppy too, but Fermoy and Newmarket can still take a bow for an Evening Echo Cork Co U-21 FC semi-final performance in Mallow on Saturday that was full of passion and commitment, with a draw probably the right result in the end.

With both sides battling for a place in the final for the first time against either St Finbarr’s or Macroom, there was a lot at stake. And, it often showed, making it a real treat for spectators, with referee Miah Moynihan also earning his fee.

In the end it took a late TJ Bodie free to save Newmarket, who had led for most of the game until substitute John McDonagh’s 54th minute goal for Fermoy. But it was a score Newmarket deserved.

No shortage of effort as play flowed from end to end in a lively opening half. Despite nippy corner-forward James Campion putting Fermoy ahead after just 20 seconds, they still had to pay second fiddle to a better balanced Newmarket side for the rest of the half.

After four minutes the elusive John Lane, a thorn in the Fermoy defence, put full-forward John Scanlon through and when he was upended Brian O’Riordan fired home the resultant penalty which keeper Jack Hutcheons got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Newmarket, with Bodie menacing up front, were well worth their 1-2 to 0-1 lead after the opening quarter, though Arlen Ahern did miss a sitter for Fermoy after being set up by Alan O’Connor.

There was no stopping Newmarket. Lane was a real thorn as points followed from Scanlon, Lane himself and Bodie and they looked destined for a handy half-time lead until Campion set up centre-back Tomás Clancy for a vital 28h-minute goal, a score that buoyed Fermoy, as Newmarket led l—6 to 1-1 at the break.

With Rory O’Hanlon now partnering David Conran at midfield and Alan Baragry staying tight on Lane, Fermoy resumed meaning business. They weren’t slow with the substitutions either as points from Campion, sub Brian O’Sullivan and Philip Mahon brought the Avondhu side within three points of Newmarket entering the final quarter as both sides put in a mighty effort.

All the while though important Newmarket points from centre-back Bart Daly from frees enabled his side keep their noses in front. O’Hagan also converted a couple of frees for Fermoy, but, six minutes from time, Fermoy got the second goal they craved. A great run by Ian Brennan down the left set up substitute John McDonagh and he goaled to rock Newmarket.

Now the Duhallow men had to save it, a point down with time ticking away. They left a few efforts scandalously short, but the relentless Bodie — four super points on the night — saved their bacon with a smashing late point. And they deserved it, at least for their first-half endeavours.

Scorers for Fermoy: T. Clancy, J. McDonagh 1-0 each, J. Campion, R. O’Hagan (frees) 0-2 each, B. O’Sullivan, P. Mahon 0-1 each.

Newmarket: T. J. Bodie 0-4, B O’Riordan 1-0 (pen), B. Daly 0-2 (frees), J. Ryan (free) J. Scanlon, J. Lane (free) 0-1 each.

FERMOY: J. Hutcheons; P. Pratt, L. Gleeson, M. Flynn; P. Mahon, T. Clancy, A. Baragry; D. Conran, S. Kelleher; I. Brennan. A. O’Connor, A. Ahern; J. Campion, P. Shanahan, R. O’Hagan.

Subs: B. O’Sullivan for Shanahan (21m), J. McCarthy for Kelleher (ht), J. McDonagh for Pratt (ht), R. O’Callaghan for Ahern (40m), R. Fraher for Baragry (44m).

NEWMARKET: N. O’Connor; B. Stack, B. O’Riordan, P. Cashman; C. Cronin, B. Daly, R. Stack; K. O’Sullivan, T. Murphy; J. Ryan, T.J. Bodie, N. Flanagan; J. Lane, J, Scanlon, I, Flanagan.

Referee: M. Moynihan (Grenagh).