A goal from Mark McCabe was enough to secure a valuable point for Newry City away at table topping Ballyclare Comrades on Saturday. Having failed to find the net in Newry’s first four games Newry’s centre forward will hope that Saturdays goal will kick start his goal tally for the season. As it is, McCabe’s goal was the perfect answer to the opening goal of the game which came just two minutes earlier, Newry failing to deal with a corner allowing the ball to bounce inside the six-yard box, Ballyclare grateful for the indecision smashing the ball into the roof of the Newry net. It was however the way his team reacted which will have pleased Newry manager Darren Mullen “After playing so well and then to concede a poor goal heads could have gone down but in fairness that didn’t happen and we came back at them almost immediately. Apart from the goal this was a very good performance from start to finish. We had done our homework on Ballyclare and knew they had threats throughout their team so we changed our shape accordingly. For a team that scored six goals last week we restricted them to very little and a draw was the least we deserved. We could have been two up in the first ten minutes but it then became a game of limited chances. I criticised the players for their lack of effort against PSNI but we can have no complaints with how they performed today. We have been finding our feet in this league but are enjoying every minute and now look forward to the home game against Portadown on Friday night.”

Certainly, there was no lack of effort from Newry on Saturday, McCabe close to snatching the lead in the first minute running onto a through ball from Stephen Hughes before lobbing his shot over the advancing Ballyclare keeper, unfortunate to see the ball land the wrong side of the far post. Almost immediately Newry had a second chance to open the scoring, Kevin McArdle pushing forward to release McCabe, his whipped cross turned on goal by Hughes bringing a smart save from Geoff McKinty.

Apart from the Ballyclare goal Newry’s only lapse in an otherwise solid defensive display came after ten minutes, a long high ball into the Newry box allowed to bounce, Ballyclare’s Thomas Robinson latching onto the loose ball only to scuff his shot badly wide. With 35 minutes on the clock Newry were convinced they should have been awarded a penalty, McCabe clearly tugged back by a Ballyclare defender as he chased down a back pass to McKinty, referee Mark Dillon receiving little help from his assistant to spot the offence.

The home side really only threatened the Newry goal from set pieces and with five minutes gone of the second half it took a smart diving save from Kieran Gordon to deny Samuel Mcilveen from a free kick just outside the penalty area. On 70 minutes Newry were handed an opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded an indirect free kick when McKinty handled a back pass, the eleven man Ballyclare wall on the goal line forcing Decky Carville to aim high with his shot which unfortunately flew over the crossbar.

Minutes later Ballyclare grabbed that opening goal, a corner from the right headed back into the box and with hesitancy amongst the Newry players Ballyclare’s Chris Rodgers accepted the opportunity to give Gordon little chance from close range. The Newry reply was almost immediate, Stephen Hughes carrying the ball forward before finding Carville on the left of the Ballyclare penalty area, with only one thing on his mind Carville stepped inside before curling his shot across goal, unlucky to see it canon off the post with McKinty beaten but fortunately for Newry McCabe was switched onto the chance, following into the box as a goal scorer should, perfectly place to turn the rebound into an open goal.

With time running out the home side pushed for a winner but with John Boyle and Neil Mullen clearing everything that came their way the only moment of danger came in the final minute when Michael O’Hanlon got behind the Newry defence, Gordon timing his slide perfectly to gather the ball at the winger’s feet.

Newry next game is on Friday night at The Newry Showgrounds against Portadown, Kick off 7:45pm.

Newry City AFC: Gordon, Cunningham, McArdle, Boyle, Mullen, McMahon, S Hughes, McCann, McCabe, Carville, M Hughes Subs: Walker, Johnston, Patton, Havern, Mackin  

Before the transfer window closed Newry Manager Darren Mullen was pleased to add Centre Half Paul Mallon to his squad “Paul is a welcome addition to the squad especially in the defensive area where we are currently missing four players. He can play in several positions and comes in after having a very successful season with Muirhevnamor. We welcome him to The Showgrounds and I’m sure he will enjoy his time here.”

Paul Mallon “I know I have a big test ahead of myself, hopefully I can break into the first 11 and stick in it. I’ve watched the boys in training and matches in the past few weeks so I can see the standard among the squad and the great football the boys have been playing so I know it will take a lot of hard work to remain competitive in the squad but I’m looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully the boys can carry on the good league form on Saturday away to Ballyclare after last weekends win against Loughall FC.”

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

An effervescent presence on and off the field the departure of fans favourite Timmy Grant will leave an almighty gap at The Showgrounds. A player who always gave 110% effort no matter what position he was asked to play Timmy was also a major presence in the dressing room, only losing his popularity with the other players as he doled out club fines to those players not as well prepared or as punctual as himself.

Newry Manager Darren Mullen commented “There have been very few more popular players at The Showgrounds than Timmy Grant not only for his performances on the pitch but also how well he was received off it. I both played with and managed Timmy so have seen the impact he has in the changing rooms and it certainly wasn’t an easy decision in allowing him to leave. He will be forever welcome at the club and his winning goal in the Premier Cup Final amongst others have cemented his place in the history books of Newry City AFC.”

Locally there’s no better place for football than The Newry Showgrounds under the floodlights and Newry City didn’t let an expectant crowd down on Friday night with an emphatic win over local rivals Loughall. Having started the season with two defeats Newry manager Darren Mullen made four changes to his starting line up with Stephen Hughes, Conor McCaul, Neil Mullen and Keith Johnston all starting. Coupled with these changes the Newry boys will have had Mullens harsh words after last week’s tame display still fresh in their memory and from the kick off it was evident that the home side were determined to gain the upper hand, Stephen Hughes carving out a gilt-edge chance for Mark McCabe with the game only a few minutes old, a chance which the centre forward really should have converted. That however was just about the only blemish on the night for McCabe as he caused havoc in the Loughall defence every time the ball came his way.

Indeed, it was McCabe who made the opening goal after 18 minutes, timing his run perfectly from just inside the Loughall half to sprint clear of the defence only to be dragged down inside the penalty area by the visiting keeper Gareth Buchannan who was spared a straight red card by referee Taylor. However, Stephen Hughes did administer punishment sending Buchannan the wrong way with a stuttered run up and a calm side foot finish to put Newry a goal up from the penalty spot.

Against the run of play Loughall almost grabbed an equalizer minutes later when Jordan Baker got his head to a free kick, Kieran Gordon relieved to see the ball sail over his crossbar. Newry were straight back on the attack, captain Chris McMahon who seemed to be in the right place any time there was any danger to the Newry goal venturing forward to release the overlapping Kevin McArdle who in turn teed up Stephen Hughes, Buchannan diving low to save. On the half hour mark the home side almost had an early contender for goal of the season, McCabe holding the ball up before laying it back into the path of Decky Carville who drilled in a shot from all of 25 yards which appeared destined for the top corner were it not for a fantastic save from Buchannan who got his finger tips to the ball to deflect it onto the underside of his crossbar and out.

Carville was causing lots of trouble to the visiting defence and with 35 minutes gone the big man, given an attacking midfield role did just that, picking the ball up mid-way inside the opposing half before running at the visiting defenders trying his luck from the edge of the box with a left foot shot which Buchannan was only able to block, Mark Hughes the first to react to the rebound rewarded with the simple task of placing his header into an open goal to double the Newry advantage.

Loughall had an opportunity to pull a goal back before the break when Newry failed to deal with a low corner swung into the near post, the ball bouncing around the penalty area before being turned goal wards, Newry grateful that McMahon had remained on the goal line in position to block the ball wide.

There was still time for another goal chance for the home side, McMahon again winning possession before cutting the defence with a ball for McCabe to run onto, his cross deflected on goal by Keith Johnston, the home side once again denied by Buchannan to keep the difference to two at the break.

That margin was extended on 55 minutes by a picture goal created and scored by the Hughes brothers, Stephen and Mark exchanging passes ending with Mark running onto the ball on the left side of the box still with loads to do to trouble the goal. That was not allowing for an audacious moment of magic, Hughes clipping the ball over a despairing Loughall challenge and the advancing Buchannan, the ball landing softly in the back of the net for a quality goal. On the hour mark Newry could have made it four, Carville and Stephen Hughes combing to set up McCabe for the goal which his performance deserved, McCabe’s low angled shot back across goal tipped round the post by the Loughall keeper.

For their part the visitors never gave up and pulled a goal back after 77 minutes, Jamie Douglas setting up Mark McConnell behind the Newry defence, McConnell placing the ball under Gordan for a neat finish. As may be expected for a team looking for its first win of the season Newry appeared to settle for the 3-1 score line and thanks to some stout defending from a defence which held solid under the direction of John Boyle Newry quite easily saw the rest of the game out for a deserved win which pleased manager Darren Mullen.

“The difference between last week’s performance and tonight’s was like night and day. We know we have the ability within the squad but if the attitude isn’t right then it counts for nothing. Thankfully the players responded to the criticism they received in the right manner and we ran out deserved winners. From the first whistle we looked hungry and were well deserving of our half-time lead. Our attacking play was obviously pleasing but the work we put in as a team off the ball was great to see and exactly what we demanded from them. The message for the second half was not to sit on our lead but to go at them again. That’s Hughesy’s fourth goal in three games and definitely the pick of them with what was a sublime finish. Loughall put us under pressure for a period towards the end which we expected at some point but our victory was well deserved. The players have now set a benchmark in terms of their work rate so that can’t drop for any other game. We didn’t get carried away with the two defeats and certainly won’t do the same after one win but need to build on it now. The crowd were brilliant tonight and hopefully they come out in their numbers again to support us in what is another big game for us against Dungannon Swifts on Tuesday night in the cup.”

Newry City AFC: Gordon, McArdle, McCaul, Mullen, Boyle, McMahon, S Hughes, Carville, McCabe, Johnston, M Hughes. Subs: Havern, Patton, McCann, Walker, Mackin.

Loughall FC: Buchanan, Montgomery, Rea, Stewart, Campbell, Dallas, Campbell, Ferguson, Baker, Mullen, Hoey. Subs: Taggart, Douglas, McConnell, Stretton, Robinson.

See photos below of our super Match Day Mascot Donncha Stacey!

Newry City must wait for their first Bluefin Sport Championship point after losing their second game of the season on Saturday at home to PSNI. A game which swung on a crucial off side after 25 minutes, Decky Carville crossing for Mark McCabe to turn the ball to the net, the Newry celebrations cut short by the linesman’s offside flag.

To rub salt in the wound from the resulting clearance it was the PSNI who grabbed the opening goal, goalkeeper Jordan Williamson’s long ball deceiving the Newry defence but not the police striker Owen Moody who ran onto the bouncing ball to cleverly lob Kieran Gordon to put the PSNI a goal up, a lead which they held to half time.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage shortly after the restart, Mark McCullagh getting behind the Newry defence before whipping in a low cross which Newrys Kevin McArdle had to turn around the back post with Joe McWilliams waiting to tap in.

Newry drew level after 50 minutes with a goal made and scored by their best players on the day. Decky Carville picking the ball up on the halfway line and driving forward before splitting the police defence with a ball which invited Mark Hughes to run onto and slide the ball past Williamson for a clinical finish. PSNI were unlucky not to regain the lead after 53 minutes, James Wright smashing a shot from all of 30 yards out which had Gordon beaten only to rattle off the upright.

Although Newry dominated possession they struggled to find that necessary incisive pass and it was the visitors who took the lead with 15 minutes left, Chris Watts turning the Newry defence inside out only to have his shot blocked by Gordon but only as far as Joe McWilliams who turned the ball home from close range.

Newry battled back with McArdle testing Williamson with a free kick which the keeper tipped over his crossbar and with time running out a low cross from McCabe was volleyed over the crossbar by Carville but in truth, an equalizer would have been harsh on the visitors who ran out worthy winners.

Newry Manager Darren Mullen commented after the game “This was a performance that was far from acceptable and I can only apologise to the fans. Unlike last week where we deserved something from the game we deserved absolutely nothing from this one. Whilst we had plenty of possession there’s no point in having the ball when there’s no end product. We looked comfortable without really threatening them in the first half and then fell behind to a sloppy goal that could easily have been prevented. We then got ourselves back into the game but never looked like building on that goal and got punished.As

“As manager I take responsibility for any defeat but the players will need to realise how difficult this season is going to be and apply themselves accordingly. Losing Darren King and Jimmy Walker in the warm up along with Rambo’s absence and injuries to Ian Curran, Conor McCaul and Paddy Mooney has stretched us but it’s up to others to step up and take their chance. What we need to do now as a group is make sure we learn from our mistakes and take that frustration into the game on Friday night (v Loughall at The Showgrounds KO7.45pm)”.

Newry City AFC Team: Gordon, McArdle, Cunningham, Patton, Boyle, McMahon, McCann, Havern, McCabe, Carville, Hughes. Subs: Johnston, Gray, Grant, Mullen, Richmond.

PSNI FC: Williamson, McCullagh, McCrory, McDermott, A Wright, Douglas, Wilson, J Wright, Watts, Moody, McWilliams. Subs: Khan, McClurg, Riddle, Montgomery, Cairns.

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.