Newmarket march on with impressive win over Clyda

Barry O’Connor's goal was a key moment in the game. 

Last year’s semi-finalists Clyda were well beaten on this occasion in Banteer.

Newmarket 1-15 Clyda Rovers 0-9 

Newmarket secured one of the semi-final places on offer in the Bon Secours Cork SAFC in Banteer today following this impressive win over Clyda Rovers. They also claimed top spot in Group B with Clyda finishing third behind Ballingeary.

Last year’s semi-finalists Clyda were well beaten on this occasion, the Newmarket rearguard limited their starting forward unit to just one point from play. The north Cork team had opportunities for green flags in both halves, but struggled to put them away.

Newmarket, ahead 0-5 to 0-3 at the break, and with the breeze behind them set about building a big lead after the interval.

A host of different names including Conor O’Keeffe, Mikey Cottrell, Ryan O’Keeffe and Cathal Browne pushed them five clear, before they rocked Clyda with a goal in the 42nd minute. Barry O’Connor intercepted the kick-out and returned it with interest.

This was a key moment, as Newmarket began to put their stamp on the game, 1-9 to 0-4 up towards the end of the third quarter. The advantage was nine with 10 minutes left to play.

Clyda Rovers reduced the margin to six at one stage mainly through the free-taking of Daniel O’Callaghan and sub Chris Buckley.

But the accomplished Duhallow men - minus the services of cruciate victim Bart Daly - are transformed from their relegation issues of 2022, and they were never troubled as they saw this one out with ease.

The first-half was a more cagey affair. Clyda kicked the opening two scores, but due to a black card were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. Their only other point came from a free from Conor Corbett in stoppage - Corbett is expected to leave for Australia shortly to go on trial for the AFL.

Scorers for Newmarket: B O’Connor (1-3), H O’Connor (0-4, 0-3 frees), M Cottrell, R O’Keeffe (0-1 free) and C O’Keeffe (0-1 free) (0-2 each), D O’Keeffe and and C Browne (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clyda Rovers: D O’Callaghan (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ’45), E Walsh (0-2, 0-1 mark), C Corbett (free), C O’Sullivan and C Buckley (0-1 each).

NEWMARKET: J O’Keeffe; M Browne, A Ryan, P Allen; A Browne, TJ Brosnan (Capt), P Browne; M Cottrell, C Browne; D O’Keeffe, D Hannon, B O’Connor; C O’Keeffe, R O’Keeffe, H O’Connor, Subs: T Murphy for C Browne, G Forde for TJ Brosnan (both 51), D Cottrell for M Cottrell, J Ryan for D O’Keeffe (both 60), D Norton for P Browne (63).

CLYDA ROVERS: S Dennehy; A Walsh, C Kenny (Capt), D Buckley; S Kelly, G Deane, C O’Sullivan; B Nyhan, D Walsh; N Hanley, C Corbett, K Graham; E Walsh, D O’Callaghan, P Kissane.

Subs: C Flanagan for D O’Callaghan (10-15 bs), B O’Connor for G Deane (half-time), C Flanagan for N Hanley (40), M Forde for S Kelly (45), K Coffey for K Graham, C Buckley for B Nyhan (both 50), G Deane for B O’Connor (55 inj).

Referee: Dave Daly (Brian Dillons).