Following a disappointing start to the campaign, which saw the club pick up just five points in their opening seven league fixtures, Newry City are beginning to turn a corner,  securing back to back wins in their latest two NIFL Championship games.

In form striker Keith Johnston, who has netted four goals in as many games, says the club’s recent revival in form has really helped boost the confidence levels within the squad and insists there is more to come from Newry this season.

He said:  “The game against Larne two weeks ago was so important to get a result, with them sitting behind us in the league. That set us up nicely then for the Limavady game  last week, everybody played well and worked hard and we got the win, so it’s important now to just keep it going.

“From the games previous to that which we have been beaten in, we honestly believe we could have got something out of them all. There’s been no team so far where we’ve felt they were far superior to us.

“I think we’ve just been unfortunate with injuries as well, particularly in defence. There has always been three of four boys out at one time, but hopefully now with lads starting to come back again we can just push on.

“We know with the squad we have we are more than capable of competing with the teams in this league.  A lot of our lads have played at this level before, the likes of Darren King was playing in this league last year and myself and a good few of the other lads have played in it previously as well, so we know we have players here that can compete at this level.”

Next up for Johnston and co.  is a home fixture against Championship high flyers Knockbreda next Saturday. Despite a shock defeat today at home to bottom club Larne, the Belfast based club are currently riding high in the NIFL Championship, sitting in second place, just one point off leaders Ballyclare Comrades.

Johnston is well aware of what Knockbreda will have to offer; having come up against them on numerous occasions while playing with Warrenpoint Town and is expecting a tough match.

“You know what to expect against  the likes of Knockbreda, they’re a really good, physical side,” said Johnston.

“It was maybe a shock to some people Larne going to Knockbreda today and getting a result, but it just goes to show that in this league everybody is capable of beating each other. There doesn’t really seem to be any one team that are consistent. No game in this league is going to be easy, so we just have to keep putting in the hard work and hopefully the good results will continue to come.”

Newry City captain Chris McMahon is delighted to be back playing first team football, following a frustrating period on the sidelines with a medial ligament strain.

The 24 year old made his return to the Newry starting eleven in the league win against Larne last Friday night, and although he was pleased to come out of the 90 minutes unscathed, the Newry skipper admits his side’s performance level was well below what they are capable of.

“On a personal note, it was great to be back playing,” he said.

“It’s been a bit stop start lately for me. I knew I would get my chance again once I got fully fit, so hopefully that’s the injuries behind me, and I can keep my position and keep working hard for the team.

“We had a good first half against Larne and should really have been out of sight. In the second half our backs were against the wall, but thankfully when it mattered most, we came up with the goods.

“I think we’ve played really well in a lot of games this season, and we haven’t got anything out of them, so it was nice for a change for things to work out the opposite way, and to get the three points this time,” he admitted.

The Newry squad has been depleted with injuries in the opening months of the season, particularly at the back, with defenders Neil Mullen, Paddy Mooney, Ian Curran, Ruairi Cunningham, Conor McCaul and Paul Mallon all still on the injury list for Darren Mullen’s side.

But with both himself, and the inspirational Darren King now back in the thick of things again, McMahon is hopeful that the club have turned a corner and can continue making their way up the league table.

“Our confidence levels have grown after the Larne result, and hopefully we can go on a bit of a run now,” McMahon said.

“It’s so tight at the moment. We’re six points off bottom and seven points off second, so it shows, with a couple of wins we can leapfrog teams around us. The aim now is to keep knocking out teams and keep climbing the table.

“We’re away to Limavady United on Saturday and we know it is going to be another tough game for us. It’ll be a battle, like most games this year. They have a small narrow pitch, so we know we have to go down and put in 90 minutes hard work and roll up the sleeves. But if we play to the best of our ability we’re more than capable of coming away with the three points.”

We are delighted to announce the return of the Match Day Programme at the Showgrounds, with the first edition available to purchase for just £1 at the crucial Bluefin Sport Championship game against Portadown at the Showgrounds tomorrow evening. 

To get you in the mood for the big game, here is a sneak preview of Shed Ender’s thoughts on the fixture, just one of the articles available to read in the Programme tomorrow night.

Friends Reunited, by Shed Ender

Supporting Newry has always been something of a rollercoaster, but nothing quite prepared us for the ups and downs of recent years. From going out of business, to a rebirth in Mid Ulster Intermediate B, it’s perhaps easy to forget the progress that the club have made in recent years. Starting with, literally, a blank canvas, Darren Mullen has guided the club to three promotions in just four seasons and Newry are now back playing Championship football. Lest we forget, this is the level from which we exited stage left when going out of business in 2012.

If anyone was likely to take that for granted, this evening’s game should really signpost how far we have come in a short space of time. Neighbours Portadown are back in town for what feels like something of a landmark game for Newry. The visitors have not been without their own troubles, both on and off the field, in recent times and they’ll be keen to get themselves back to the top tier as soon as possible. Strongly tipped to secure promotion this season, this feels like a proper ‘big’ game. Bourneview it isn’t.

So, to borrow a title, here we are, and Newry and Portadown rekindle a longstanding rivalry this evening. Many of these games have been played at the top level, with the Ports lifting the league title in the not too distant past. There’s usually a decent sized crowd which helps to add to the sense of occasion.

Most of you will have your own favourite memories of this fixture. Ports fans will remember a time when Vinny Arkins seemed to score in pretty much every game between the sides. If he didn’t, it certainly felt like it at the…..Did you enjoy reading this article? Read the full piece and much more in the Programme tomorrow night!