On Monday 28th December 2015 Darren Mullen’s men finished off 2015 in the best way possible, lifting the Premier Cup! Speaking to the manager and a few of his players this is how they describe what winning the cup means to them and their hopes for the rest of the season ahead.
Manager Darren Mullen “To have a trophy in the cabinet halfway through the season is a great boost for the club and although there’s a long way to go it’s a reward for the work the lads have put in so far. Although it wasn’t our best performance of the season we had enough chances in the first half to put the game to bed. Credit to Fivemiletown though who proved that cup finals are never easy and pushed us all the way. The players were warned how dangerous they could be and we certainly didn’t take them lightly. The support we had on the day was superb and I know the players really appreciated it. Hopefully we can continue to give them something to cheer about for the remainder of the season. The cup will now be put away and our sole focus is on the league. We are currently in a good position but the players know that their standards and effort cannot drop for one game. If we can maintain the performance levels from the first part of the season then we won’t be far away.”
Niall Crilly: To win the cup for Newry was a very proud moment for each of us. It’s something that I will never ever forget and seeing the joy on the supporter’s faces motivated us to win even more silver wear this season. It’s important that we remember this moment and use it only as a stepping stone for the rest of the Season. Our main aim is the league and promotion and we can’t forget that.
Christopher McMahon: It was a great feeling to win our first cup competition and lift the trophy, the focus is now on the league to ensure we gain promotion.
Sean McMullan: It was great to win the cup even though we didn’t play well, but it’s in the past now and we’re just thinking about our next league game! I want a treble before I hang up these old boots!!
Neil Mullen: Winning the cup was great but I felt we let the fans down a bit because we didn’t play the way we know we can and that’s credit to Fivemiletown. Hopefully we can keep playing the way we know we can and at the end of the season we have a league title to go along with the cup.
Paddy Mooney: The tribute to Eamonn Morgan after the final whistle meant a lot to me it made my day even better. It’s great to be a part of this team and promotion is the aim we are good enough to win this league.
Stephen McCabe: It’s always great to win a trophy but to win it with such a great bunch of lads makes it even better… Hopefully the collection of the premier cup gives the players the experience hunger and desire to push on now this season and add more trophies
Peter Murphy: For me it’s an honour just to wear the jersey. So to win a cup for Newry I feel an immense sense of pride. Let’s hope we can add at least a league title to that as well.
Timmy Grant: I feel a great sense of pride to be back playing for my home town club again. It was great to win the Premier Cup and scoring the winning goal in front of our supporters and my family made it a bit more special for me. Now it’s time to get back to work and get focused on the league.
Conor McCaul: Very privileged to be a part of the team to win the Premier Cup for Newry City AFC and to go on and win the league will be a perfect season. One cup is enough for me, the league is main focus.
James Walker: Delighted to win premier cup for the fans but the cups this year is only a wee bonus, our main aim is winning that league and getting back to the top where Newry belong.
Link below: Darren Mullen & Chris McMahon interview on QRADIO with Kevin McAllister.
The Newry City AFC Committee, Management and Players would like to thank all of our supporters and sponsors who show continuous support to the club for which we are very grateful.
Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.