Newry City over 40s played Banbridge over 40s in a charity match for the NSPCC last night at Cheney Park. The game was played in great spirit with many players attempting to roll back the years.

Banbridge started the game well and tested Joe Price with a few early efforts. Tommy O’Hanlon then had a great 25 yard drive saved by the Banbridge keeper before hitting the post with another great effort. Newrys defence were working hard to shut down the Banbridge attack with Tommy Gray marshalling them well. Dessie Edgar was attacking at every opportunity and linking well with Damien Grant on the right hand side. John White and Michael Crowe were also linking well on the left but were unable to break a resolute Banbridge defence. The half finished goalless with a few tired legs glad to see the break.

Newry broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half when Darren Mullen fired home after a great through ball from Grant. Banbridge tried to hit Newry on the break but Newry’s midfield of Craven, Griffin, Mullen and O’Hanlon were dictating the play. Newry Legend Ollie Ralph was giving the Banbridge defence plenty of problems – his movement a lesson to any young player. The second goal came following great work from Larry Griffin and Dessie Edgar on the right
hand side when Tommy O’Hanlon curled a great effort into the far corner. Banbridge were now pushing forward in numbers with Price pulling off some great saves. Terrance Feehan then made a great saving tackle to prevent his brother Billy pulling a goal back. Newry had a further chances to increase their lead with Keith Kelly and Jervis McCaul failing to beat the Banbridge keeper.

The game finished 2 0 to Newry with Tommy Gray awarded the man of the match award. This was a very entertaining game and a chance for old playing colleagues to meet up for plenty of craic. This will be the first of several over 40s games with the next game to be played in The Showgrounds whenever all the aches and pains have cleared up.

Newry squad: Joe Price, Dessie Edgar, Terrance Feehan, Tommy Gray,John White, Damien Grant, Larry Griffin, Tommy O’Hanlon, Michael Crowe, Ollie Ralph (captain), Dixie Craven, Darren Mullen, Keith Kelly, Jervis McCaul, Billy Feehan.

Everyone at Newry City AFC would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of former player Michael McCaughey who tragically passed away yesterday. Michael was a hugely popular player at The Showgrounds during several spells.

Newry City AFC manager Darren Mullen, who managed Michael last season, said: “Micky was a great lad and a terrific character to have about the team. He will be badly missed by all those who knew him and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Everybody at Newry City AFC extends their deepest sympathy to the Family Circle of Paddy Durkan, who passed away in his 90th year on the 12th March at a nursing home in Eastleigh, South of England.

Paddy was a magnificent defensive stalwart for Newry Town in a period of six years from 1948 to 1954, when the club played in The Irish Intermediate League.

A native of Crossmaglen, he came from a footballing family (His younger Brother Walter was an outstanding goalkeeper in the Irish League with Glenavon for a number of years). After a spell in Youth Football, Paddy began to make a name for himself in the Dundalk & District League with Avenue Celtic F.C. After a short period he signed for Dundalk FC and made his first team debut in the League of Ireland during the 1942-43 season. He continued to perform with distinction for Dundalk, winning two League of Ireland runners up awards in the 1942-43 and 1947-48 seasons plus a Shield winner’s award during 1946-47.

At the beginning of the 1948-49 season Paddy signed for Newry Town and made his debut on the 21st August 1948 when Linfield Swifts were visitors in the Irish Intermediate League. This game was a real gala occasion for The Town as it signaled the official opening of The Showgrounds as the club’s new playing venue. Prior to that Newry had lost their spacious superb playing pitch known as The Marshes and had used their compensation to develop the new adjoining ground at The Showgrounds.

Continuing as a top class central defender (He actually favoured the full back position) Paddy was voted Town Player of The Year at the end of the 1949-50 season by the club’s fans. At the Prize Presentation he was described by a spokesman for the fans as “A very loyal, dedicated and magnificent player. A player who plays without wages despite being a professional and who could step back into senior football at anytime, but prefers to continue playing for The Town”. When Bob Bryson, the ex Linfield and Shamrock Rovers pivot took over as Newry Player Manager during the 1950-51 season, he and Paddy formed a terrific defensive partnership in the Intermediate League.

Paddy’s great efforts were rewarded by The Town at the end of the 1953-54 season when the club organized a testimonial game for him at The Showgrounds against a full strength Linfield. The special Newry Town selection included his younger brother Walter who had been starring for Glenavon as a goalkeeper and a host of big names from The Irish League and The League of Ireland.

During his lengthy spell with The Town, Paddy’s teammates had included a host of top class players, names like George Chambers, Albert Parkes, Jimmy Richardson, Harold Martin, Alex Reid, Tom Hagan, Gerry Fegan, Eddie McNeill, Teddy McNeill, Stanley Kidd, John Ruddy, Dickie Greer, Jack McKee, Bothwell Vennard, and Vincent Gilmore.

Soon after his testimonial game, Paddy emigrated to England, where he continued to play for a few more seasons in local leagues with Works teams, before retiring and taking up refereeing duties.

R.I.P. Paddy.