The Newry City Ladies team capped off a fantastic season earlier this month at Holm Park in Armagh when a hat trick from Captain Aoife Lennon eased them to a 3-1 win over Sion Swifts in the final of the Championship League Cup. This completed a remarkable double for the Ladies team after they won all but one of their league games to help them to a fourth successive league title in as many years. The Ladies were also very unlucky not to make a clean sweep of all trophies when they lost out on penalties to Linfield Ladies in the final of the Irish Cup.

Newry City Ladies Manager James Feehan told newrycityafc.co.uk he is delighted with how the season went and looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“Our goal when we started off in Division four in 2010 was to one day play in the Premiership and we are delighted to have achieved this in such a short space of time. The girls also did great to reach the final of the Irish Cup this year – it was a great experience for them. It was a cruel way to lose out on penalties but it will make the girls even more determined next season.

“We’d obviously love to win the Premiership at some stage but our main aim next season is to finish as high in the table as we can and build on it the following year. Anything else is a bonus. In our cup matches with Premiership sides in the past couple of seasons we have shown that we can more than hold our own with them so they know that we will be no walkover”.

James is pleased with the team’s progress but equally he would like to see support for the girls continue to grow.

“We have a loyal band of supporters but new faces are always welcome down to the Showgrounds. We are hoping that local people will come out in force next season to cheer the girls on in their first season in the Premiership. Most of our squad are also playing international football which means we can offer a high standard of football. All of our league matches are free entry also so it is a great opportunity for people to come down and cheer on their local club at no expense”.

Newry City AFC Chairman Martin McLoughlin said that the Club are proud of the girls’ achievements to date.

“It’s great to see Newry City Ladies progressing so well – it’s been a dream season for them this year”, Martin told newrycityafc.co.uk

“They were also very unlucky to lose out on penalties in the Irish Cup final. Everybody at the club is very proud of their achievements thus far and we wish them well in their new league campaign next season”.

Newry Men’s Senior Team Manager Darren Mullen echoed Martin’s sentiments.

“It’s been another terrific year for James and The ladies team who are going from strength to strength. Anyone who has seen them play this year could not help but be impressed by the standard of football that they play. To win a league and cup double is never easy and great credit must go to all involved. They have done the club proud this season”.