Author: Sean McKevitt

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

John Smyth is October Player of the Month

John Smyth has been awarded the NCAFC Player of the Month award for October.

‘Smythy’ was in terrific form during October – scoring a hat-trick against Richill in the Irish Cup along with goals against Valley Rangers and Broomhedge in the league. After a mixed start to the season he developed into one of the club’s key players and will be missed during his absence due to work.

John took time out of his busy work schedule on Thursday evening to speak to us:

“I am delighted to be awarded the October Player of the Month, it’s a great personal achievement for me. I missed the last game of the month but managed to score some goals in the other games.”

“I am still signed with the club and every opportunity I get to come back home I will do my best to help the team out.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to Darren for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do. I’d also like to thank my team mates, they’re a great bunch of lads. I hope to be back playing soon but until then I’d like to wish my team mates the very best of luck.”

Newry City AFC youth coaching and trials

In preparation for next year, Newry City AFC Youth Academy are now selecting players from U8 to U12 (Born  calendar years 2002 to 2006) to participate in the small sided games, commencing in February 2014.

Conlon Morrison
Conlon Morrison

The coaching is currently on Friday evenings from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the Showgrounds on the 3G Pitches. To become a youth member from U8 to U12 or book onto the trial nights contact Conlon Morrison on Mobile:  07919592943 or email: conlon@newrycityafc.co.uk.

Also, there will be six trial nights held at the Showgrounds for U13 to U16 players for the 2014/2015 season, for players born during calendar years 1999 to 2002. Further information will be provided for this in the near future.

Vote for the October player of the month

The poll for the NCAFC October player of the month is now open and will close on Friday at 6pm!

The first team management will pick the winner from the three players with the most votes in the poll and the winning player will be presented with his trophy next Tuesday night before training.

This poll is now closed.

Newry City AFC U13 2-0 Killowen Celtic U13

Newry City AFC U13 2-0 Killowen Celtic U13

(Joseph Connolly 26, Tiarnan Murphy 35)

On what was a soggy but playable back pitch at the Showgrounds Saturday morning, Newry won a deserved victory to stay unbeaten in the league. Newry again started slowly struggling to get to grips with the heavy surface. Their usual passing game left them as they attempted long balls from the back that were gratefully cleaned up by the Killowen keeper and defence.

Killowen, playing a passing game themselves, had the first great chance in the 12th minute to take the lead when their player dribbled into the box and was taken down by Tiarnan Russell for which a penalty was rightly awarded. Unfortunately for them the strike was wide of the target.

With 20 minutes gone, Newry started to get into the game realizing that they would create more chances keeping the ball on the ground. They were rewarded on 26 minutes when on a dribbling run; Sean McConville was fouled outside just outside the box. Tiarnan Murphy stepped up and delivered a cross right under the cross bar which the Killowen keeper got a hand to but only succeeded in palming into the path of Joseph Connolly who headed into the back of the net.

Half time came and went and Newry continued with their good style of football. It was an even enough game but Newry pulled further clear on 35 minute when Killowen played a ball down their right wing that was intercepted by Matthew McGinn. Matthew took the ball on a run, beating one player before feeding the ball to Tiarnan Murphy. Tairnan then beat two men and from a tight angle passed the ball around the Killowen keeper and into the side of the net.

Newry were now in control of the game and as Killowen pushed forward in search a goal that would get them back into the game they left holes for the home side to try and exploit. Unfortunately they didn’t and the closest they came was a shot off the post by Caolan Murray.

The game ended 2-0 to the home side. Overall, after a slow start the management were pleased with the way the team finished the last 40 minutes, moving the ball efficiently and quickly.  Next up, Moneyslane away.

“The Fugitives” crowned Newry’s brainiest quiz team!

Newry City AFC hosted a very successful General Knowledge Table Quiz on Friday night to find Newry’s Brainiest quiz team.

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The winning team was “The fugitives”, who won with an impressive score of 85 out of 100. They are pictured here with their silver salver engraved Newry’s Brainiest 2013 and their individual trophies. From left to right: Martin McLoughlin, Mickey O’Neill, Matthew McCaul, John McCaul and Robert Megarrity.

All at Newry City AFC would like to extend their gratitude to The Canal Court Hotel for providing the Mardyke Suite, those who provided raffle prizes, all who attended, quiz compiler Kevin Lyons and of course the Master of Ceremonies, Ian McDonald.