Author: Sean McKevitt

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

Manager’s corner (20.12.14)

As we approach the end of 2015 it is time to reflect on what has been a terrific year for the club. During the year the Senior team has won the league title, the reserve team have won their cup, the ladies team have won a domestic double while also getting to the Irish Cup final, the new skills school was set up and the youth academy is thriving. Sometimes it is easy to forget how far we have come in such a short space of time. Those within the club know the difficulties we have faced but through sheer hard work and determination we are starting to see the fruit of a our labours. There is still a huge amount of work to be done both on and off the pitch but those involved deserve great credit.

It has also been a sad year at times as we have lost club stalwarts and former players in Peter Woods, Tommy O’Hanlon and most recently Billy McVicar. These people have all played their part in the club over the years and will be sadly missed.

In terms of the current season it has not been the start we would have wished for. We have had some good cup runs but the league has always been the priority. Our Irish Cup game away to Portstewart showed that we are capable of competing at a higher level. Unfortunately that display was not replicated in our league game away to Ballymacash and has made our promotion bid more difficult. It is a very competitive league and whilst we have given ourselves a mountain to climb there is a long way to go and we will fight for every remaining point. The coaching staff are well aware of what is required to take the club forward and we are working extremely hard to make that happen.

Finally, on behalf of the club, I would like to wish all our fans, sponsors and members a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. Hopefully we can continue to bring them the success that their magnificent support deserves.

Yours in Sport,

Darren

Meet the players: Josh Durnin

Name: Josh Durnin

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

Position: Midfield

Previous Clubs: Lisdrum Celtic, Sunnyside and Bellurgan

Honours: Lisburn U14 League & U15 Cup winners. Top county with Armagh in the 2014 Milk Cup.

Footballing Hero: Paul Scholes

What is the best ground you have played in? Riada in Ballymoney

Who is the joker of the team? Ian Curran

Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? Jimmy Walker

Who is the laziest player in the team? I wouldn’t say that anybody is lazy.

Your toughest opponent? Jordan Thompson – Manchester United u17s.

Who is the best player you have ever played with? Andrew Hoey, who I played with for the Armagh U17 team in the Milk Cup.

If u had a super power what would it be? To hit the ball like Ronaldo.

What is your goal at Newry? To help Newry win as many trophies as I can.

Newry U14 4 – 0 Rockview U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry U14’s had their first home game since August at the Showgrounds on Saturday against Rockview United. The game started slowly and it was Rockview who started the brightest and should have taken an early lead. It was three weeks since Newry’s last game and their lack of match sharpness showed in the first half. After a few positional switches due to an injury Newry eventually began to show some of the form that has taken them to the top of the league. A great through ball from Sean Mc Conville set Captain for the day and birthday boy Nathan Crudden away and he struck a sweet shot past the advancing ‘keeper to put Newry one up. Sean McConville and Tiarnan Murphy both came close shortly after this but the Rockview ‘keeper was having a fine game keeping his side just that one goal behind going in at half time.

The second half saw Newry attack from the start and after some great work on the wing by Caolan Reavy and Tiarnan Murphy, the ball found its way to Matthew Treanor who finished clinically to put Newry two goals up. Newry didn’t have to wait long until goal number three, another through ball by Murphy lead to the third with Sean McConville getting back amongst the goals with a nice shot to the far corner. Shortly after the same player made it four nil after a similar move to put the result beyond any doubt.

Credit must go to a hard working Rockview team whose league position doesn’t justify the way this team plays. No doubt they will give many teams a hard game this season. As for Newry, it took a while for the lads to get moving but eventually they showed why they are top of the league and credit to all the squad for a hard working team performance. This result leaves the team with a very healthy 22 points from a possible 24.

Fans in focus: Stephen Beattie

Name: Stephen Beattie

Age: 22

How long have you supported Newry? Almost 8 years now.

How did you come about supporting the club?
When I heard that Newry were playing on Sky Sports during the 07/08 season against Coleraine I decided to go down. I was instantly hooked and have been watching Newry home and away ever since!

Your favourite ever player?
It would have to be our captain from my early years supporting the club, Richard Clarke. Very notable mentions to Emmet Friars and Stephen Garrett also.

Favourite current player?
Based on what I have seen over the last year and a half it would come down to Jimmy Walker or Mark Lowry, the latter of whom has been very influential for Newry so far this season. The goals these two scored against Seapatrick last month were two of the best I’ve seen at the Showgrounds.

Best memory supporting the club?
Winning 3-2 away to Coleraine (09/10 Season) in the final minutes on my second trip up there within 3 days is a great memory! I also remember a Newry win on a cold afternoon at the Oval, fondly.

Funniest moment supporting the club?
If only I could accumulate all of Kevin Ruddy’s ‘slightly’ elaborate stories from the terraces! I also recall myself and a few friends spending an entire half time haggling with the late Tommy O’Hanlon over old Newry Town shirts in the club shop!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why?
Purely for the atmosphere – Elland Road. In the Irish League I have always enjoyed going to Seaview – a compact stadium and you’re always close to the action.

What is it you like most about following Newry?
It is my hometown and a club that I can be undeniably linked with.

Hopes for the future?
To win Intermediate A and continue to progress up the Irish league ladder. (Playing against Warrenpoint competitively ASAP would be great)

Meet the players: Ian Curran

icurranName: Ian Curran

Age: 26

Occupation: Validation Analyst 

Position: Centre back 

Previous Clubs: Glenavon, Donegal Celtic and Loughgall 

Honours:
Intermediate cup x2
Mid Ulster cup x2
Championship 1 play-off winner
Milk cup elite section runner up 2007
Northern Ireland under 18 Schoolboys – 5 appearances v England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and Jersey
Northern Ireland under 19s – 2 appearances v Israel (x2)
Northern Ireland under 20s – 3 appearances in 2007 Milk cup v Turkey, Chile and Israel
Northern Ireland under 21s – 3 appearances in 2008 Algarve tournament v Portugal, Usa and Cape Verde Islands

Footballing Hero: Edgar Davids 

What is the best ground you have played in? Ewood park 

Who is the joker of the team? Most of the lads would probably say me but I would go for Sean McMullan, he always makes me laugh!

Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? At the minute I would have to say young Josh Durnin. I think he’s an outstanding talent. I haven’t seen a 17 year come into a first team squad and do that well in a long time. I think he has the potential to play at a much higher level.

Who is the laziest player in the team? I am the laziest player at the club. I have to be honest, I’m allergic to training.

Your toughest opponent? Beram Kayal, current Celtic FC midfielder. I played against him three times and he absolutely tortured me on each occasion. He must have thought it was Christmas marking me! He was outstanding, I couldn’t get near him at all. I think he scored 5 goals in the 3 games. I’m still having nightmares about him!

Who is the best player you have ever played with? The best player I’ve ever played with is Jonny Evans. His attitude was unreal – always keen to put the hard work in at training and in the games everything came so natural to him.

If you had a super power what would it be? To be made of steel as it would make a change from being made of glass as I’m always injured!

What are your interests outside of football? I enjoy watching films and playing snooker.

What is your goal at Newry? My aim at Newry is to help the club progress as far up the ladder back to the higher echelons of football in this country where it belongs.

 


Cover photo courtesy of Brendan Monaghan