Newry City reserved their best performance of the season for the visit of league leaders Limavady Utd producing a 4-0 win to keep alive their hopes of the league title. The opening exchanges of the game were largely level, Joe McCready proving a hand full for the Newry defence the, home side twice rescued by last ditch challenges from the central defensive pair of Paddy Mooney and John Boyle.

Newry opened the scoring on twenty minutes with a goal created by right back Kevin McArdle, the defender playing a one-two with Mark McCabe to take the ball to the end line before pulling it back into the danger area, Mark Hughes the first to react to the chance with a clinical finish to put Newry 1-0 up. The home side doubled their advantage on 41 minutes, Boyle placing a long free kick into the Limavady box, Decky Carville winning the aerial battle to nod the ball down to Mark McCabe who swivelled to shoot home.

It could have been three for Newry before half time with what would have been a contender for goal of the season. Once more it was McArdle pushing forward playing a give and go with Jimmy Walker before smashing a half volley from all of 40 yards which took a splendid save from Limavady keeper Wells to tip the ball onto the inside of the post and rebound to safety to leave the half time score 2-0 for Newry.

Limavady had the first chance of the second half and again it was McCready posing the threat, the striker shrugging off challenges down the Newry left before playing a ball across the face of the Newry goal, unfortunate that there was no Limavady player to turn the ball home.

Newry were quick to reply, an in-swinging corner from Jimmy Walker rebounding off the Limavady crossbar, the ball falling to Newry’s Man of the Match Paddy Mooney, his first time shot also rattling off the crossbar. The home side were very much on top with Walker and Thomas McCann pulling the strings from centre midfield. And it wasn’t long before Newry had their third, Hughes laying the ball to Keith Johnston just inside the box, the winger getting to the ball just ahead of Limavady’s Declan McKeever who took the legs from under the Newry man, referee Ben McMaster immediately pointing to the spot. This week penalty duty for Newry was given to Jimmy Walker and he made no mistake sending Wells the wrong way for goal number three.

On 65 minutes for the first time in the game Limavady got behind the Newry defence Jordan Thompson finding himself with only Kieran Gordon in nets to beat, the Newry keeper quickly off his line to block Thompsons effort with Stephen McCabe on hand to sweep up. Limavady continued to press and it took a super clearance from McCabe to clear a Conor Harkin shot off the goal line with Gordon stranded to keep the Newry sheet clean.

In the final minutes the home side capped off a fine display with goal number four, Thomas McCann slicing the Limavady defence finding Hughes wide on the left, his low ball into the six-yard box neatly turned home by Carville for a goal he richly deserved.

After the game Newry manager Darren Mullen was obviously happy with his sides display “This was a super performance from start to finish and the score line certainly doesn’t flatter us. Limavady are a very good side and are still in a very strong position but we needed this win today to keep on their tails. We were excellent all over the pitch and limited what has been the best attack in the league this season to very little. The message before the game was to get at them early and we certainly did that. Our movement, work rate and energy throughout the team was great to watch and it was a very satisfying win especially after last week’s disappointing result. We have a minimum of 6 games left and must treat each one of them like a cup final. Today’s performance has set a very high standard and we need to make sure it doesn’t drop for the remainder of those games. I would also like to mention the support that we had today which the players really appreciate and hopefully they continue to follow us in large numbers.”

Newry now travel to play Sport & Leisure on Tuesday 11^th April, kick off @ 6:30   in their last fixture before the league splits. Further announcements on post-split fixtures will be posted both on the club’s web site and on social media.

Match Day Mascot Erin Harris definitely brought the boys good luck!!

Match Highights courtesy of NCAFC TV Ally McKenzie & Tommy Harris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qr7vDtIzsc

Newry City AFC: Kieran Gordon, Kevin McArdle, Stephen McCabe, Paddy Mooney, John Boyle, Thomas McCann, Jimmy Walker, Keith Johnston, Mark McCabe, Declan Carville, Mark Hughes. Subs: Sean McMullan, Timmy Grant, Mark Patton, Marty Havern, Conor McCaul.

Limavady Utd: Paul Wells, Declan McKeever, Colin Murray, Graham Crown, John Watt, Paul Owens, Conor Harkin, Gary McFadden, Conor McCluskey, Robbie Hume, Joe McCready. Subs: Ray Kelly, Jordon Thompson, Marcus O’Kane, Conor Logue.

A clever free kick and a lot of resolute defending was the Donegal Celtic recipe which won the points at The Newry Showgrounds on Saturday. Possession wise a game from which Newry will wonder how they didn’t come away with at least a point. However, given that for almost an hour they played against ten men the Newry boys will concede that they didn’t create enough goal chances and when the best one came along, a spot kick on 75 minutes, they failed to trouble the keeper.

Newry opened much the brighter and were on top for the first 20 minutes, Mark Hughes, Decky Carville, and Mark McCabe all with half chances. They were however caught cold after 28 minutes. With a free kick deep inside the Newry half and the home side expecting a cross into the box the ball was played back to Donegal Celtic defender Karl Rossborough who, on the edge of the penalty area, took one touch to make room before drilling in a low shot which Kieran Gordon could only get a hand to, the ball hitting the inside of the far post and into the net to put DC into the lead.

On 35 minutes DC were reduced to ten men when Niall Derry was shown a 2^nd yellow card. The reduction in numbers however only deepened the visitors resolve to protect their precious goal lead. Content to give Newry possession in the middle 3^rd of the pitch DC allowed Newry only very brief glimpses of Sean McIlhone’s goal until the 75^th minute when referee William McCahon, who had made wise use of his yellow card to keep control of the game pointed to the spot for a blatant hand ball. When the experienced Mark Hughes placed his effort the wide of McIlhone’s post the Newry faithful probably felt it wasn’t going to be their day. There were further chances to grab a point, a Thomas McCann snap shot bringing a smart save from McIlhone and a hooked effort from Sean McMullan which beat the keeper but dropped the wrong side of the cross bar but try as they might the Newry boys couldn’t make that vital yard of room in a congested penalty area, DC holding on to maximum points.

‘It’s very hard to criticise the players after that game because we will play worse and win games. Once the penalty didn’t go in I knew it was just going to be one of those days and we just have to get over it very quickly. The second half was just one way traffic but we didn’t do enough to test their keeper. We created numerous chances but through a mixture of bad luck and good defending the ball just wouldn’t drop in the right place for us. As a club we are thriving being back in Irish league football and although yesterday was a setback in our aim for promotion we are ready to battle right until the last minute of this season. We are in the top six for the split which is an achievement in itself considering we are in our first season but as a group we want to push on and I’ve no doubt we will have a big say in the promotion race.’

Next Saturday, 8^th April NCAFC welcome league leaders Limavady to the Showgrounds. Kick off 3pm.

Match Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f01UF2dKTH8

Newry City AFC: Gordon, McArdle, Boyle, Mooney, S McCabe, Patton, Hughes, McCann, Carville, M McCabe, Johnston Subs: McMullan, Curran, McCaul, Durnin, Grant.

Donegal Celtic: McIlhone, Rossborough, Burns, Wilson, Kopyt, Doyle, Derry, Monaghan, O’Neill, Hughes, Stuart. Subs: O’Connor, Feher, McVarnock, Mooreland, McClory.

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

Two points dropped or a valuable point gained was the question among the Newry supporters after Saturdays 1-1 draw at Moyola. Having dominated the opening half most would have been of the opinion that it was points dropped by Newry. However, after a lethargic second half during which Moyola fully merited their equalizer and a share of the points, news that league leaders Limavady had been beaten put a very different slant on the result, a point which wasn’t lost on Newry manager Darren Mullen after the game ‘Although it’s disappointing not to get the win we have to look at what could be a very valuable point. Every week this league throws up unexpected results so we just need to keep ourselves in with a chance and that’s exactly what we are doing. We didn’t play well enough today but should have been more than one up at half time especially with the chances we had created. The second half was a scrappy affair and we had no real rhythm to our play. They were dogged and difficult to break down so we should give them credit. I thought at the time Kieran Gordon could have got a hand to the Moyola goal but after seeing it again it was just one of those wonder strikes and one where you just have to take your hat off to the lad. We now have two vital home games in row and with players to come back from injury/suspension we are looking forward to them.

Newry started the game the brighter of the two sides, Mark Hughes creating a shooting opportunity for Decky Carville after only two minutes, Carville’s goal bound strike from the edge of the box blocked by Craig McAllister. With ten minutes on the clock Newry thought they had unlocked the Moyola defence when a super pass from Timmy Grant released Carville inside the box, the Newry centre forward denied by a last-ditch block from Steven McQuillan. For once route one football appeared to be Newry’s best option. With 20 minutes gone a long kick out from Kieran Gordon was won in the air by Grant, Keith Johnston running between defenders to latch onto Grants header before shooting across goal, unfortunate to see his effort hit the base of the post. Play swung to the other end with Moyola having their first strike on the Newry goal, John Boyle who turned in another flawless display at the heart of the Newry defence blocking Daniel McIlhattons shot.

On the half hour mark Boyle showed the other side to his game in a move which saw Newry take the lead. With play on the Newry left Boyle changed the direction of attack with a diagonal 50-yard pass which Grant once more won in the air cleverly picking out the forward run of Kevin McArdle, the right back continuing his run to the end line before drilling a low ball across the face of goal, Hughes alert to Johnston’s flick, on hand to turn the ball home to give Newry a deserved lead. It took an impressive save from Kieran Gordon on 41 minutes to preserve that lead at half time, McIllhatton slicing the Newry defence giving Taggart a clear sight of the Newry goal, Gordon quickly off his line to smother the centre forwards effort.

While neither side established any rhythm to their play in the second half it always looked like Newry needed a second goal to secure the win and on 72 minutes that proved to be the case. Awarded a soft free kick some 35 yards from goal in a central position there looked to be little threat to the Newry goal. That appraisal however didn’t take account for a wonder strike from substitute Curtis Hassan, his shot dipping just below Gordon’s cross bar with the Newry keeper floundering. Newry’s answer was to change their strike force and with time running out the switch almost bore dividends. Once more direct route passage of play, Gordons long ball cleverly chested on by Sean McMullan, Johnston winning the race for the ball with Moyola keeper Martin Farniok, Johnston again unfortunate to see his lob over the advancing keeper fall the wrong side of the cross bar to leave the final score 1-1.

Newry now have two home games which will define their season. On Saturday 1^st April third placed Donegal Celtic are the visitors to The Showgrounds for a 3pm kick off. The following Saturday, the 8^th April, Newry will entertain the league leaders Limavady at The Showgrounds, again kick off at 3pm.

Newry City AFC: Gordon, McArdle, McCaul, Curran, Boyle, McCann, Patton, Grant, Carville, Johnston, Hughes. Subs: McCabe, McMullan, Havern, McMahon, McKeown.

A comprehensive win for Newry City to cement their place in the top half of the table pre-the April split came courtesy of a half dozen goals the pick of which was goal number five, a wonder strike from Decky Carville which flew into the top corner of the Tobermore net. However, while goals win games, in this league Newry have quickly learnt that they must first win the right to score and on Saturday Newry’s fortune was set by solid displays from a quartet of players, John Boyle, Ian Curran, Kevin McArdle and Mark Patton, all of whom turned in flawless displays to set the foundation for what in the end turned out a routine win.

That was not however how the game started, Tobermore first out of the blocks, Nicky Hudson rising highest to head a corner over the Newry crossbar followed by an important intervention from Boyle stretching to head a cross ball for a corner with two Tobermore forwards ready to pounce. Newry soon created chances for themselves, Thomas McCann sweeping play wide to Decky Carville, his cross testing the aerial ability of Timmy Grant who did well to skim the crossbar. Newry were gradually getting on top and with 12 minutes gone they tested Matthew McGraw for the first time, Patton nodding the ball down to Keith Johnston who tried his luck from the edge of the box, the Tobermore keeper parrying the ball to safety.

Newry grabbed the opening goal after 17 minutes. After winning possession short of midfield McCann fed the ball wide to Johnston, the winger delaying the return ball long enough for McCann to make his way into the box to bravely challenge for the cross, McGraw able only to block McCann’s header onto Conor Kearns who inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net to put Newry a goal ahead. McCann didn’t have to wait long for a goal of his own to cap his Man of the Match display. With 20 minutes on the clock Carville won possession on the left wing before quickly finding the feet of Timmy Grant, his first-time ball into the penalty area won in a tackle by McCann who quickly regained his feet before calmly placing the ball past McGraw to double the Newry advantage.

The game was all but over as a contest on the half hour mark with a goal made by Newry keeper Kieran Gordon and scored by Keith Johnston. With Tobermore on the attack Gordon found himself isolated against Tobermore striker Nicky Hudson, Gordon using his frame to guard the net before pinching the ball clean from Hudson’s feet. In a flash Gordon turned defence into attack with a long kick out which Johnston judged better than Tobermore’s central defender Kearns, the Newry man timing his run perfectly to latch on to the bouncing ball and place a half volley into the bottom corner of the Tobermore net to put Newry 3-0 up, a score line which remained until the half time whistle.

It took Newry five minutes into the second half to add to the score line and when it came it was a classic centre half’s goal, Mark Hughes delivering a corner to the penalty spot, Ian Curran capping another solid display with a powerful downward header which gave McGraw little chance. It was now a case of how many goals Newry could rack up and they had a great chance for number five on the hour mark, Patton switching play from right to left with a beautiful curling ball straight to the feet of Carville on the edge of the box, the centre forward then leaving his marker for dead as he took the ball to the end line before trying to find the run of Sean McMullan, McMullan denied by a last ditch tackle to deflect the ball for a corner.

The 68^th minute saw a contender for goal of the season. Starting with McArdle at the half way line he rolled the ball forward to Marty Havern who in turn set the ball back perfectly for McArdle to sweep a curling ball picking out Carville on the edge of the penalty area. Carville’s first touch was to control the ball on his chest, the second a volley on the turn which flew into the top corner of the Tobermore net despite the despairing dive from McGraw for a picture goal.

The 80^th minute brought a late sting for Newry, Tobermore’s right back Shannon Crooks venturing forward found himself with a shooting opportunity inside the Newry box, his effort partially blocked by Gordon but not enough to stop the balls path towards goal, Stephen McCabe covering behind Gordon instinctively scooping the ball from the goal line with his hand which gave referee Mark Dillon little option but to brandish a straight red card at the Newry left back. With a spot kick duly awarded it was left to Tobermore’s Glen Law to grab a consolation goal which he did despite the best effort of Gordon. A little rejuvenated by this Tobermore immediately had a great chance for a second, a long ball over the top finally beating the Newry defence, Gordon producing a fine stop to deny Peter Duffin.

Having awarded a penalty at the away end referee Dillon was given a chance to balance the books on 85 minutes when Carville set up McMullan with a shooting chance. When the big man’s effort was only parried out by the Tobermore keeper, Newry’s birthday boy Thomas McCann was the first to react to the loose ball only to be barged off it by Kearns, Dillon without hesitation correctly pointing straight to the spot. With McMullan on the field that means only one thing and the Newry striker once more delivered sending McGraw the wrong way to round off a 6-1 win for Newry which satisfied Newry manager Darren Mullen who as usual wasn’t looking any further forward than the next game “This turned out to be a comfortable win for us but only because we maintained the same effort from the Dundela game. We know the ability is there within the squad, it’s just how we apply ourselves that will determine how well we perform. Thankfully we started the game well and put them on the back foot. We have pace throughout the team and when Kevin and Giggsy are running at teams right from our back line it creates plenty of chances.

When we have players running from deep the way Tucker did then it makes life difficult for them to defend and he took his chances well. The fact we are disappointed with conceding also shows how much the players value keeping a clean sheet. That said it’s another good win for us and with 9 games to go we are starting to look strong. However, we never get ahead of ourselves and know for sure that next week’s game against Sport and Leisure will again be a tough battle.

Newry’s next game is next Saturday 18^th March away to Sport and Leisure Swifts, KO 3pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge at 1:15pm.

Match Day Mascots Sean Lennon & Jake Smyth

Highlights courtesy of Ally McKenzie & Tommy Harris NCAFC TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oW1fDJf95s

NML Football Photographs https://www.facebook.com/pg/NMLSport/photos/?tab=album&album_id=770066819817029

Newry City AFC: Gordon, McCabe, McArdle, Boyle, Curran, Patton, McCann, Grant, Carville, Johnston, Hughes. Subs: McMullan, Havern, McMahon, McCaul, Taylor.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jACIA4TPTfU

Tobermore Utd: McGraw, Crooks, Harkness, Keane, Kearns, Marks, Gillan, Law, Hudson, Flanagan, Duffin. Subs: Stewart, Darragh, Hunter, Winton.