Author: Sean McKevitt

Sean is an avid supporter of Newry City AFC and will be bringing you all the latest news from the club.

NCAFC Academy Results Round-Up

The Newry City AFC Academy was in full swing last weekend with all teams in action.

 

Newry City AFC U9s had some excellent performances against Brookvale and Windmill, with goals coming from Danny, Dan, Ben, Arthur, Fionn, Jacob and Darragh.

 

Newry City AFC u11 v Lisburn Rangers Boys at Downshire Young Mens FC

Goal scores – Noah Kearns x 3, Karol Oleszczuk x 1, Deaglàn Finnegan x 1

Newry City AFC U11
Newry City AFC U11

A determined display from Newry City u11s against a strong Lisburn Rangers team. After a hard fought 15 mins, Newry broke the deadlock with a well worked goal but unfortunately conceded 2 goals in the space of 2 minutes to go into the break 2-1 down. The Second half was a more dominant display by Newry & they soon scored an equaliser from a corner. Lisburn soon took the lead after a cross/shot landed in the far top corner. Newry dug in deep again & scored 3 great team goals to make it 5-3. Although Lisburn scored again in injury time to make it 5-4 – Newry held on for a deserved victory.

Man of the match – Noah Kearns. Other stand out performers – Max McKeown & Rio Carroll in defence along with Karol Oleszczuk in midfield.

Noah Turley (GK), Lorcan Haughey, Harry Owens, Max McKeown, Rio Carroll, Karol Oleszczuk (Captain), Deaglàn Finnegan, Rhys Hempkin, Daìthi Gorman, Noah Kearns, Daniel Drumm

Next game: Glendowan 2015 v NCAFC U11 Lisburn Rec 1B (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO10am

 

Newry City AFC u12 vs Warrenpoint u12

Newry started strongly with Joe Rafferty scoring from distance to put us 1-0 up. The lead didn’t last long with Warrenpoint matching Newry with their own long-range effort to make the score 1-1 going into half time.

Work rate and pressing was the key in the second half with Jude Hegarty winning the ball high up the pitch and slotting it past the keeper to put Newry 2-1 up. A last-minute free kick for Warrenpoint made the final score level at 2-2.

 

Oxford Sunnyside Vs Newry City U14

Goal scorer: Liam Connolly X2

What seems to be another tough result from the outside was actually another step in the right direction for this newly formed team.

A bright start to the game should have seen Newry City take the lead, but a good chance missed was the story of the first half for Newry and this was the opposite case for Oxford Sunnyside who took advantage of some slack defending and indecision on Newry’s behalf to make the most of their chances and go into the half time break with a 4-2 lead.

More of the same in the second half saw Oxford Sunnyside run out 8-2 winners on the day but the score line doesn’t tell the full story of the game. Newry battled hard and had good periods in the second half but just couldn’t get the goals their play at times deserved. Any mistake was punished by Oxford Sunnyside and they ran out clear winners.

Special mention on the day to Newry City players, Liam Connolly, Harry Bingham and Odhran Carville.

Team: Darren Devlin, Declan Doran, Shea Byrne, Karl Pentony, JJ McClelland, Harry Bingham, Aron Kavanagh, Diarmuid Hartigan, Liam Connolly, Odhran Carville, Ryan McCartan-Turley, Adam McSherry, Charlie O’Hanlon, Noah O’Hare, Dyan Bradley.

Next game: Hillsborough Boys 2011 Colts L v NCAFC U14 Wallace Park – Pitch 3 (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO9.30am

 

Newry City AFC U15 had a great result against Warrenpoint Saturday 7/9/24 in Dromore coming out as winners. All of our lads played great football from start to finish and worked their socks off on a very warm day.

Goals from: Jacob Toner, Ross Lavelle X2, Jamie Daniels X2, Lee Clark. Assists from: Mathieu Kavanagh X2, Eoin Taylor and Ronan McCann

Next game: Lisburn Distillery Juniors 2010s v Newry City U15 Wallace Park – Pitch 3 (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO9.30am

 

Newry City AFC U16 v Ballinamallard United U16

After a tight first half with little to go off for both sides, Ballinamallard struck 10 minutes from half from a corner but 5 minutes later Newry struck the bar from close range after some brilliant 1 touch football breaking through Ballinamallard lines to create a great chance to equalise. In the second half Ballinamallard struck early to double there lead and soon after they caught Newry on the break to make it 3, and 10 minutes later Ballinamallard made it 4 from another break, 3 minutes from time after some good play from Newry on the right side, we won a penalty and got our consolation from Adam Strain from the spot.

Next game: NIFL U16 Academy league vs Larne Inver Park 14/09/24 10.30 kick off

 

Newry City AFC U18 – Even though the 18s suffered their third defeat on Friday evening, there were a lot more positives than negatives. This newly formed and young squad, most of whom will be u18 again next season suffered a defeat away to an older and physically stronger Ballinamallard outfit. Manager, Chris craven and head coach, Gerry Spain are excited about how this squad will develop over the next six months on the basis of some of the football the boys produced throughout the game. All three goals conceded were avoidable as the boys gain experience and learn how to deal with set pieces which have been costly in the first three games. There is also a requirement to improve fitness levels as they adapt to playing at this level of intensity. Some players suffering with cramp towards the end of the game. Newry conceded two goals halfway through the first half but reduced the deficit straight after half time with Leo Snodden being rewarded for showing great persistence in putting the Ballinamallard under pressure and forcing a number of defensive errors before finding the net for his and indeed the team’s first goal of the season to make it 2-1. Another soft goal half way through the second half killed the game but the players showed great attitude by working hard right to the end. With the great attitude and application of the players, hopefully the first win of the season is not too far away.

Next game: Larne Youth v NCAFC U18 Larne Academy of Sport 3G (Larne) 13/09/2024 KO8pm

 

Newry City AFC U21s travelled to play Ards FC on Saturday

A game that took place on a small and narrow pitch was well contested in the early going. Newry worked the wings well and went 1-0 up through Keelan McEvoy. Keelan scored his first goal for the club. A tight 15 minutes seen Newry lead at HT 1-0. Adam Heaney was forced off due to injury at HT through a harsh tackle.

With personnel changes at the break, Newry has control of the game until Ards scored a corner kick midway through the second half. Ards added a second and third goal in quick succession towards the end to take all 3 points.

A tough result for Newry’s young 21s team as they felt they had the holding of the game for long periods.

Squad: Calum O’Reilly, Adam Heaney, Pierce Patterson, Shane McParland, Rory O’Connor, Adam Dorans, Lee Fallon, Charlie McGrath, Keelan McEvoy, Daniel O’Sullivan, Jack Deery, Kyle Harte, Louis Crilly, Eoghan Hickey, Jude Whitten, Karl Woods.

Join our Media Team

Newry City AFC are recruiting for a matchday camera operator/editor and social media assistant to join our media team. If interested, please send your CV via email to: clubshop@newrycityafc.co.uk

2024 Awards Night Winners

Many thanks to all that supported and attended our 2023/2024 Season Awards Night in the Canal Court Hotel and Congratulations to all of our winners:

UNDER-11s Newry City Colts

Top Goal Scorer: Charlie Henning

Players Player of the year: Charlie Henning

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Charlie O’Gorman

Outstanding Progress Award: Sean O’Hagan

 

UNDER-11s Newry City Wanderers

Top Goal Scorers: Leo Kehoe and Luke Dinsmore

Players Player of the year: Riley Dos Reis 

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Harry Berry 

Outstanding Progress Award: Conn McGivern

 

 

UNDER-14s

Top Goal Scorer: Jamie Toure Daniels

Players Player of the year: Frankie Bradley

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Tόmas Devlin

 

 

 

UNDER-15s

Top Goal Scorer: Alfie Brown

Players Player of the year: Alfie Brown 

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Conor Pearce 

 

UNDER-16s

Top Goal Scorer: Jonjo Woods

Players Player of the year: Ryan Lennon

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Finn Keenan Travers

 

UNDER-18s

Top Goal Scorer: Daniel O’Sullivan

Players Player of the year: Oisin Clarke 

Coaches Player of the Year Award: Calum O’Reilly

 

 

Under 20s

Top Goal Scorer: Daniel O’Sullivan

Players Player of the Year: Calum O’Reilly 

Managers Player of the Year Award: Pierce Patterson

 

Sam McCullough Memorial Young Player of the Year: Daniel O’Sullivan

 

First Team

 

Travel Club Player of the Year: Barney McKeown

Top Goal scorer: Adam Salley 

Players Player of the Year: Barney McKeown 

Tommy O’Hanlon Memorial Club Player of the Year: Barney McKeown

Managers Award: Barney McKeown

 

Supporter of the Year award: Daniel Murphy 

 

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

 

Manager Gary Boyle with new Signings Daragh Owens and Georgie Poynton

Owens and Poynton Sign

Newry City AFC Manager Gary Boyle is delighted to have added extra strength to his team with the signings of Daragh Owens and Georgie Poynton from Glebe North FC.

 

Commenting on both players Boyle said “Georgie is a player who has played at the top level in the LOI. He is hugely experienced but at only 25 has his best years ahead of him. He has been regaining his fitness with us in pre-season and we have seen the quality he possesses. He is vocal, sets standards and has integrated with the group seamlessly.”

“Daragh is a young player who was recommended to us; he is ready to step up having excelled in the Leinster League. Technically gifted, composed in possession, with a great left foot. He has been terrific in preseason and we are thrilled to have him on board!”

 

Manager Gary Boyle with Daragh Owens
Manager Gary Boyle with Daragh Owens

 

Daragh commented “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to sign with Newry. I have really enjoyed the last few weeks both training and getting to know the lads. The standard has been very good since day one, so I’m just looking forward to getting the season underway and show what we can do.”

 

 

Manager Gary Boyle with Georgie Poynton
Manager Gary Boyle with Georgie Poynton

Georgie commented “I have been really impressed by the club since coming in to train. The players and staff have been very welcoming. I’m delighted to be here and I am really looking forward to get going.”

A Statement from the Manager Darren Mullen

A Statement from the Manager Darren Mullen

“Honour and privilege. Those are the 2 words I would use to describe my time as manager of Newry City AFC. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be on this journey over the past 10 years. It has given both my family and I so many great memories that will last a lifetime. I have known for some time that I would be stepping down as manager and there is no better way to leave the club than in the Premiership where they rightfully belong. It hasn’t always been easy but there are so many people I need to thank for their help and support over those years. To every single player who played for me I thank you. I may not have got every decision right but I hope you all take some happy memories from your time at the club. Special mention to my 3 captains Chris, Hughesy and Engine who have been terrific representatives for me in the changing rooms. To every single coach from the academy right through to the senior team who helped nurture those players who played for the club. Special mention to Ramy, Jervis, Micky, Gary, Damien Hillen and Damian McCorry who gave me more support than they will ever realise. To Gaff, Willie and Dorothy who have not only helped me in many ways but also kept the craic going when I badly needed a laugh. To the physios and other support staff over the years. To all the committee members, volunteers and sponsors over the years who kept the club going off the pitch to allow me to do my job on it. Special mention to the Chairman Martin, Vice-chairman Gary and the Hillen family who have not only had to put up with my never-ending demands in trying to push the club forward but have also become good friends. To my family for giving me the time, patience and support to throw myself into this role. Anyone involved in management will know the efforts and sacrifices involved and there is no way I could have done this without my wonderful wife Diane and my 4 daughters. Last but not least I want to thank the fans. From day one they have given me their full support and to hear them chanting my name made me prouder than they will ever know. They realise I am one of their own and will be eternally grateful for being part of ‘Darren Mullen’s blue and white army’. I’ve no doubt the club will continue to grow and I will look forward to coming back to The Showgrounds to support the team as a fan. 💙⚽️”

 

Comment from the Chairman Martin McLoughlin

 

“After we absorb the managers news we will come to realise that today’s announcement marks the end of an era at our club. Ten years ago last month we reformed and Darren Mullen was both the instigator as well as being pivotal to that revival. As Chairman, and on behalf of our club, I would like to thank Darren and his family for his dedication and total commitment since then. Without doubt enjoying the highs and seeing out the lows during that time has allowed us to become firm friends and I’m absolutely delighted that his tenure as manager has ended with those friendships fully intact. Darren leaves us with many great memories. He was very much more than just a football manager and got involved in a lot of issues pertaining to the everyday running of Newry City AFC and for that we are very grateful. However, it is for success on the pitch that a manager will be remembered and Darren has had more than his share of that over those 10 years, winning leagues, cups and numerous promotions culminating in this year securing Premiership football for 23/24 at The Showgrounds. Without doubt this success has brought a new sense of pride to the club and nothing makes me happier than to see our colours worn by young and old alike around the Newry area. I can safely say that all at Newry City AFC wish Darren every success in the future and look forward to seeing him at many games supporting the club he served so well.”

#YourCityYourClub.
Martin

 

Darren Mullen will be on the sideline for his last match as Manager on Saturday and the club will provide an update on the Managerial position in due course.