SCHOOL SPORT

Football and Hurling Season

Newmarket's Urban Schools campaign began at the beginning of May, against an informed Kanturk side. Luck was on Kanturk’s side as they ran out seven point winners. This year, there were only three teams in the Urban Schools competition, because of Banteer’s lack of hunger for success. Taking part in the tournament this year were Newmarket, Kanturk and Boherbue. In the middle of May our next opponents were Boherbue.  They were a stern test, but we overcame their challenge. Having comprehensively beaten Boherbue, Newmarket sprinted onto the pitch in Lismire with the roar of the crowd. At 7.30pm the match began and we dominated for the first quarter of an hour with Bart Daly opening our account. Suddenly Kanturk got two lucky goals within the space of five minutes and Kanturk were in the driving seat, but we fought back bravely.  Our challenge wasn't strong enough and to our disappointment Kanturk won the match. On behalf of the team, we would like to thank our trainers Sheila Crowley, Michael o' Keeffe and Eamonn Moynihan, who put their hard work into developing this team. Also we would like to thank the parents, who supported us all the way. Eugene Clifford also deserves our thanks and applause for driving us to the matches. 

We would like to congratulate our classmate Kevin O' Sullivan for first of all just being selected by the school, but then making the Cork Hurling primary game team. Kevin lined out in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with great pride, just before Cork and Limerick clashed in the Guinness Munster Hurling Championship. Kevin was the first pupil in the school’s history to represent Newmarket in Primary Game Hurling.      Well-done Kevin!

Also John Ryan was selected to go for the football trial. He was unlucky in his quest to make the Cork football team. We are confident that in the near future John will be selected to represent Newmarket G.A.A. since he has great determination, skill and dedication to the game.

Newmarket Boys National School has a strong G.A.A. tradition. Every year we take part in a Duhallow schools tournament and in the North Cork 7- a-side tournament.  We have lost two schools finals in the last two years.   We were beaten by Kanturk and Banteer.  Part of our school week is taken up by training, which we do in the new G.A.A. pitch at the West End Park. It is a great advantage to be able to use the pitch as it is an all weather pitch which can be used all year round.  We are very grateful to the Newmarket G.A.A. who allow us the use of the pitch for our school training.  In the past few weeks we have had the opportunity of improving our hurling skills when four past Newmarket hurlers have given their time to train us. Their names are Richie Tarrant, Mick Daly, Michael Reilly & Gerry Daly.   Recently the Juvenile G.A.A. organised a football and hurling marathon to raise money for the West End Park. We played five-a-side games which consisted of seven minutes per half. It was a very successful and enjoyable day and we raised over £1,600 for the pitch. Some of the school's past pupils have gone on to play Junior and Senior football for their county. There is always great excitement if Cork reach a final because if Cork win we know the cup will be coming to our school.

By John Scanlon

We train every Monday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm for approx one hour. Our trainers are Mike O' Sullivan, John Feehan and Con Collins.  We play a lot of matches during the year, but we were unsuccessful in a lot of them.  We still enjoyed ourselves though.  We played the Neiles Collins cup and our team won a plaque and the others won a medal.  We have a lovely new playing pitch at the West End, thanks to the local G.A.A. and others.  It is really handy for training during school hours.  There was a lot of voluntary work and fund raising done for it, including selling tickets and dance nights.  It is in very good condition.  It was drained.  We have nets up to save the ball.  We are very grateful to all who helped us in any way.         And we won the cup!

by P.J. Murphy