This article is from page 64 of the 2011-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 64 JPG
NEWMARKET manager Bob Enright was delighted with his team’s win on Sunday, not just the manner of the victory in Cusack Park, but the attitude his players have shown since their championship exit at the hands of Crusheen back in August.
“Our season could have fallen apart when we lost to Crusheen, but instead the entire squad showed a marvellous attitude and commitment to stay going and today they got their reward,” he said after the game.
Enright was also quick to point out the role the Senior B championship played in the Blues late season revival.
“The Senior B win was huge for us. Very important. We won three games in a row and that included the final. That started the momemtum that brought us to today. Winning is a good habit and I’m particularly pleased the way we have ended the year now, with a Senior B championahip and a Clare Cup,” he said.
While no doubt the loyal Blues supporters crave the Canon Hamilton Cup, there is no doubting the progress Newmarket made this year. The Clare Champion Cup is their first piece of senior silverware since their last championship back in 1981 and added to their Senior B success marks a decent return from 2011. Bob Enright agrees:
“Yes, it’s the right way to end the year. We’ve had some lows this year and there’s no doubt the loss to Crusheen was main one but I’m delighted we’ve come back, won three on the trot in the Senior B and taken this today against a very committed Inagh Kilnamona side,” he said.
“The performances have been good, the players have been tuned in and you could see today what it meant for them. Winning finals like today can only be a good habit to develop. Hopefully we can use this now as a stepping stone into 2012,” he added.
Of course winning the Clare Cup has been a stepping stone for plenty of clubs in recent years, including Sixmilebridge who won it last year on their way back towards the top of Clare hurling, while Clonlara won it twice on the trot in 2008 and 2009 as they established themselves as a force in the county.
Beside the benefits on the field there is also the generous sponsorship attached to the winners of the competition, Newmarket GAA club receiving a cheque for € 4,000 from Clare Champion General Manager John Galvin after the game, while runners up Inagh Kilnamona received a cheque for € 2,000.