The NCAFC Travel club bus going to Crystal park, Banbridge for the Premier cup final on Monday 28th December is leaving the Stonebridge at 10.30am. Come along and show your support for the lads. Everybody welcome as always!
Author: Sean McKevitt
Sean is an avid supporter of Newry City AFC and will be bringing you all the latest news from the club.
Newry City U15 4 – 1 Loughside FC U15
by Colm Murphy, Newry 15 Manager
Newry U15s welcomed Loughside FC of Belfast to the Showgrounds for their first home match in the U15 NIBFA Cup. Conditions were far from ideal but the pitch really withstood the harsh weather and game was given all clear to go ahead.
Newry were really up for this game and it showed right from the start when after some neat play from Sean Mc Conville and Tiernan O Reilly they made the Loughside keeper spring into action to parry away a low shot from Glen Park. This trend continued and it was not long before Niall Grant slotted in the first goal to put Newry 1-0 up, following some great play by McConville and Tiarnan Murphy. Soon after, again after some great link up play from Shea Morgan and Murphy, Glen Park raced through to fire goal number two and Newry were firmly in the driving seat. Loughside to their credit didn’t give up and after some neat play a defensive error give them a chance to pull one back from the penalty spot which they duly took.
Newry not to be deflated answered back immediately and it was Park again who coolly slotted goal number three to leave Newry 3-1 up at halftime.
The second half was all about the Newry defence and against gale force winds and heavy rain they stood strong. Lorcan Ruane in goals was keeping his defence on their toes and Newry soaked up early pressure from Loughside to take firm control of this match. The back line of Ruane, McGinn, Poucher, Ovesen and Reavey along with holding midfielder Morgan really excelled. McConville ably assisted by Murphy and O’ Reilly caused constant trouble on the Loughside defence who already had their hands full trying to deal with McGinn and Park.
Newry finally wrapped up the match when O Reilly finished off a flowing move right from the keeper to make it 4-1. The introduction of Connolly, Lappin, Toner and Murphy really shored up a fine overall team performance and Newry now progress to the third round full of confidence.
A big thank you to the parents for their help and support as always and to Loughside for a sporting match!
Meet the coaches: Michael Keenan
Photo: Michael lining up for the Northern Ireland Over 40’s team recently alongside Newry Manager Darren Mullen & Assistant Manager Raymond Byrne. Photo courtesy of Brendan Monaghan
Name: Michael Keenan
Age: 59
What is your role at Newry? Originally I joined to help “Goose” (Robert Robinson) with a bit of goalkeeping training, which led to me helping out Gerry Flynn and Minto (Peter Murray) with the first team. This gradually became officially known as being the “goalkeeper coach”.
When the old club folded I was keen to ensure it was reformed, which resulted in taking some role on the Management Committee. Having previous experience in Child Protection it was natural for me to take on the role of Child Protection Officer for the club also. Then after the loss of Tommy O’Hanlon the club needed a treasurer and that also fell into my lap somehow!
What are your ambitions for the club? Obviously the main ambition is to progress through the leagues and hopefully get back into the Premiership. Championship must be a minimum. However it is probably more important to develop the club more as a community club with strong under age teams, ladies football and special Olympic teams making it a club for everyone in the area, not just a “first team”.
The Showgrounds is also too good a resource to let go to waste. It would be my ambition to help develop this into a major venue that could be a resource for football throughout the region and enable top-level fixtures to be hosted locally.
How did you get into coaching? By accident really. Started through following my son Rory in the under-age leagues. Most teams don’t have anyone to work with goalkeepers so it was good to help out and to be able to work with him. Once I stopped playing, coaching was then a great way to keep involved in the game.
Who is the most exciting talent in your team? If you consider my team to be the goalkeepers then Paul Hadden is showing great promise – if he grows tall enough he could go a long way in the game.
Who has been the biggest influence on your coaching style? Biggest influence on coaching and football in general was John Fearon who coached/trained me from the age of 11 at the Bosco Youth Club. I’ve seen Manchester United school of excellence coaches recently do what he was doing 50 years ago! Great man and great coach – many footballers in Newry owe him a lot.
Who was the best player you ever coached or managed? Among goalkeepers it would be Andy Coleman – unbelievable shot stopper, great trainer, great attitude and worked very hard to get into the team.
If you could give any young player advice what would it be? Enjoy the game first and then if you work hard at it you might go far.
If you could organise a friendly for your team against any other team in the world who would it be? Barcelona – Messi v Ian Curran would be some contest!
Other than Newry what team do you support? Tottenham Hotspur – since 1967 when we beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA cup final.
Do you have any nicknames? Not really but I’m usually known as Mickey. Reference to “curly hair” comes from the supporters occasionally.
Who is your footballing hero? Hard to go past big Pat Jennings.
Favourite drink? Red wine – Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. Though I would not say no to a good pint of Guinness.
Favourite food? Indian – the spicier the better
Favourite Film: The Sting
Favourite band: Pink Floyd, just ahead of Rory Gallagher.
What are your interests outside football? Wife, kids and grandchildren.
If you had a super power what would it be? Lucky to have good health and can still play a bit – that’s a good enough super power for me.
Meet the players: Declan Carville
Name: Declan Carville
Age: 25
Occupation: Scaffolder
Position: Midfield but Darren won’t let me play there!!
Previous Clubs: Orchard City, Bessbrook United & Rathfriland Rangers.
Honours: Carbane League, Bessbrook Cup, AOH Cup, FR Davies Cup, Gerald Kennedy Cup, Yorkshire Cup U13s.
Footballing Hero: John Barnes
What is the best ground you have played in? Windsor Park
Your toughest opponent? Paul “Mackle” McElroy – hard man!
Who is the best player you have ever played with? Best I’ve played with is Dingo Hughes or Lee Feeney!
Who is the joker of the team at Newry? There is a few jokers, Ian Curran would be up there but big Mully has to be the one! Never a dull moment!!
Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? I’d have to say Tucker (Thomas McCann) and Jimmy (Walker)! Hard to separate!
Who is the laziest player in the team? Conor McCaul, no question.
Who has the worst dress sense? Worst dress sense would be Pete “the body” Murphy! He even wears his boxers inside out.
If you had a super power what would it be? I would love to be able to read the future so I could pick the winning lotto numbers or even get a bet up.
What are your interests outside of football? My interests outside of football would be beating Plug (Patton) at Fifa when we have time for a game.
What is your goal at Newry? To win everything possible and get the club up the leagues!
Meet the players: Paddy Mooney
Name: Paddy Mooney
Age: 24
Occupation: Disability Worker
Position: Whatever position Darren tells me to play. I know I’m versatile but that man brings it to a whole new level! My preferred position is centre-half.
Previous Clubs: Warrenpoint Town
Honours: Milk cup, Umbro International cup, Championship play-off/Promotion to Premiership winner, Championship 2 & Mid Ulster Intermediate B
Footballing Hero: From a defensive point of view I would have to say John Terry. I picked up a pointer or two watching his game but as an all rounder it would have to be Frank Lampard.
What is the best ground you have played in? I’ve played on basically every pitch in the country but Windsor park under the lights is hard to beat.
Who is the joker of the team? Ian Curran without a doubt. I try to use a few of his one liners but I just can’t pull them out of the bag.
Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? Uncle Mull (Mully), one of the best players I have ever played with. He always took me under his big wing and only for him I wouldn’t be playing football this season. Plus the fact he is in unstoppable form at present.
Who is the laziest player in the team? Decky Carville is in a world of his own most the time, he only runs when he feels like it. No offence Declan.
Who has the worst dress sense? Some of the slick shirts Tucker tries to pull off after games are horrendous. Sorry to bust your bubble kid.
Your toughest opponent? Hated playing against Crusaders at all ages especially away days.
Who is the best player you have ever played with? I couldn’t pick one so I have narrowed it down to two. The strike force of Keith Johnston and Mully back in the Warrenpoint days was the best combination I have seen. I know there isn’t much left in the two of them but to play alongside them week in week out is a great personal achievement.
What are your interests outside of football? My life in a nutshell at the minute is football, work/helping people with disabilities and fundraising in memory of my best friend Eamonn Morgan who tragically passed away. In case the missus reads this I enjoy spending time with her too!
What is your goal at Newry? I have been back and forward from Newry in the past but this time around I’m staying put. I want to put my stamp in this team and be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. My first objective is to win this league and be promoted to Championship 2. I believe there is the makings of a great team here and it can go places. But my main goal at Newry is to receive a nice cold pint of Guinness from my biggest fan Kevin Ruddy.