Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-15 Ballyea 1-7
Holders Newmarket-on-Fergus booked a Clare SHC final place next weekend, against neighbours and fierce rivals Sixmilebridge.
They overcame the challenge of Ballyea at Clarercastle yesterday. In a tight enough opening half, Newmarket relied in the main for scores from ace marksman Colin Ryan, while Ballyea’s Tony Kelly was his team’s scorer-in-chief. A 21st minute goal for Ballyea by Gary Brennan helped the underdogs stay with the favourites at the interval, 1-3 to 0-6.
But Newmarket, who won their first title in over 30 years 12 months ago, settled after the break. Ryan from a free and Martin O’Hanlon recorded early second-half scores and when Ryan landed a good point in the 47th, he put three (0-10 to 1-4) between the sides.
Centre-forward Shane O'Brien hit three vital points between the 53rd and 58th minutes to seal the holders' passage.
NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS: D Duggan, E O'Brien (0-1), J McInerney, S O'Connor, N O'Connor, E Barrett, A Barrett, E Hayes, M O'Hanlon (0-1) , D Barrett, S O'Brien Snr (0-3). C Ryan (0-8, frees), S O'Brien Jnr., S Kelly, R Goode (0-2). Subs: J Liddy for O'Brien Jnr. (29), M McInerney for Kelly (48).
BALLYEA: S O'Neill, B Carrig, J Browne, D Keane, N Keane, P Flanagan, G O'Connell, C Doohan, S Lineen, N Deasy, G Brennan (1-01)T Kelly (0-6, frees), M O'Leary, A Keane, F O'Reilly. Subs: T Griffin for Lineen (25 mins), P O'Connell for G O'Connell (39 mins), G O'Connell for O'Reilly (47 mins), J Murphy (0-1) for A Keane (50 mins).
Referee: A Heagney (Corofin)
