*Colin Guilfoyle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill

Newmarket-on-Fergus passed an important first test of character after eventually seeing off a resurgent ร‰ire ร“g to snatch the whip hand in Group 4 in Oโ€™Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.

Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-22
Eire ร“g 0-19
Venue: Oโ€™Garney Park, Sixmilebridge

Despite seeing their eight point lead slashed to just one entering the final quarter, the Blues managed to weather the storm before digging out a merited opening victory, their first since 2017.

Without county seniors David Reidy and Aaron Fitzgerald through injury and the returning Shane Oโ€™Donnell only sprung from the bench for the second period, group favourites ร‰ire ร“g were always going to be up against it.

With Colin Ryan unerring from placed balls, the Blues initially took full advantage to build up a 0-13 to 0-06 interval advantage which became an eight point cushion only seconds into the new half when debutant Eanna Crimmins raided for his second point.

However, Oโ€™Donnellโ€™s introduction would be a game-changer for the Townies and by the turn of the final quarter, the gap was lowered to just the minimum at 0-16 to 0-15, thanks in the main to five Danny Russell points.

Crucially however, Newmarket never allowed their neighbours to regain full parity and after getting a boost from their own impact substitute Stephen Kelly, Colin Ryan would help steer his side away from the rocks with five of the last eight points.

The experience of Colin Ryan, James McInerney, Enda Barrett and Colin Guilfoyle were essential while Eoin Guilfoyle and ร‰anna Crimmins combined for five points between them.

On the flip side, ร‰ire ร“g just gave their opponents too much of a headstart as a disappointing first half made way for a much more encouraging second period aided by the innate understanding between Oโ€™Donnell and Russell.

ร‰ire ร“g will also point to two second half goals chances that might have turned the tide decisively in their favour. However, following a remarkable run from his own half, Kieran Malone just struck agonisingly wide of the left post while Danny Russell was subsequently awarded a free just before the water break after a Newmarket puck-out was intercepted by Kevin Brennan.

Newmarketโ€™s win against the odds does blow the group wide open ahead other Group 4 opener between Clooney-Quin and Feakle which takes place back in Sixmilebridge tomorrow at 1.30pm.

Scorers for Newmarket-on-Fergus: Colin Ryan (0-11, 9f); Eoin Guilfoyle (0-3); Eanna Crimmins, Mikey McInerney (0-2 each); Colin Guilfoyle, Peter Power, Liam Clancy, David Frost (0-1 each)

Scorers for ร‰ire ร“g: Danny Russell (0-14, 10f); Darren Oโ€™Brien (0-2); David McNamara, Oran Cahill, Kieran Malone (0-1 each)

Newmarket-on-Fergus
1: Ronan McCormack

2: Sean Oโ€™Connor
3: James McInerney
4: Paraic McMahon

5: Niall Oโ€™Connor
6: Enda Barrett
7: Stephen Casey

9: Frank Melody
11: Colin Guilfoyle

17: Eanna Crimmins
10: Colin Ryan
12: Eoin Guilfoyle

20: Liam Clancy
14: Mikey McInerney
15: Peter Power

Subs:
21: Stephen Kelly for Melody (46)
18: Jack Enright for McMahon (47)
19: Jack Oโ€™Connor for McInerney (47)
22: David Frost for Crimmins (58)

ร‰ire ร“g
1: Philly Walsh

2: Aidan McGrath
6: Ciaran Russell
20: Kieran Malone

7: Nathan Murray
5: Niall McMahon
3: Liam Corry

9: Darren Oโ€™Brien
11: Thomas Downes

19: Anthony Oโ€™Halloran
15: Kevin Brennan
10: David McNamara

13: Gavin Cooney
14: Danny Russell
12: Oran Cahill

Subs:
18: James Lyne for Oโ€™Halloran (17)
26: Shane Oโ€™Donnell for Cooney (HT)
25: Mikey Moloney for Murray (54)

Referee: Wayne King (St Josephโ€™s Doora/Barefield)

Related News

john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
garda checkpoint ennis 10-04-20 3
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter
Latest News
Screenshot 2025-10-16 111517
Clare Echo Halloween photo contest
john moran jennifer carroll macneill patrick o'donovan 1
Minister says option from HIQA review will be decided before Christmas
o'callaghans mills vs ruan 04-10-25 colm cleary 1
Cleary swaps World Trade Center for Cusack Park in Mills bid for promotion
banner plaza 1
Planning system 'abused' as Uisce ร‰ireann pause works on Supermac's Plaza over judicial review
1 Cutting of Ribbon CI O'Flynn Bench-2
Stone benches unveiled in Eyre Square in memory of O'Gorman & O'Flynn
Premium
Stig hitting top gear as Magpies make final push for promotion
St Flannan's & St Joseph's Tulla come from behind to force draws in Harty Cup first round
Horgan hopeful of more success with Truagh/Clonlara
'There was no getting past our defence' - Kilmihil brought different attitude says captain Currane
Scariff checkpoint uncovers motorist's claim that his car is registered to six year old daughter

Advertisement

Subscribe for just โ‚ฌ3 per month

If youโ€™re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just โ‚ฌ3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter โ‚ฌ8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.