While Gary and Lauren have been trail blazing the Redpath name at The Showgrounds for the last few years next season it will be Jake’s turn to make his mark with Newry City after he signed for the club on Tuesday. Previously attached to Newry as a youth player Jake has enjoyed a number of successful seasons at Rathfriland and more recently at Dollingstown where he won Player of the Year awards in each of the last two seasons which obviously attracted the attention of Newry manager Darren Mullen who commented “Jake is a player who has been on our radar for the past few years and thankfully we have managed to sign him. Since he left the club as a youth player he has developed into a really good defender and I feel he is well fit to play at this level. He is another determined young player that we have added to the squad which means we have quality options throughout every position.”

Jake added “It’s a pleasure to have signed for Newry City, a club that is on its way back to where it deserves to be. I know it’s not going to be easy and there’s going to be a lot of competition for places, but I’m going to give 100 percent and hopefully I can add something to the squad.”

Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

This afternoon Newry City added more quality to their first team panel with the signing of Nathan Murphy.

In his early 20’s Nathan is already an experienced player having previously played for both his hometown club, Dundalk as well as Warrenpoint “I signed a professional contract with Dundalk when I was 16 & continued to play with them for five years, after about a year’s break from football I joined Warrenpoint when they were in the Premiership so I know what the standard of football will be like though due to my own work commitments it didn’t work out.

“Thankfully Darren gave me a call which I was very grateful for, I know a few of the boys already such as John Boyle, Mark Hughes, Kevin McArdle, Jimmy Walker & Stephen Hughes is another fantastic signing Darren has made, so I am looking forward to getting a good pre-season under my belt and help the club push on in the league.”

This signing is further testament to the fact that Newry manager Darren Mullen is not about to rest on his laurels “To add Nathan to the squad shows how attractive the club has become to quality players. He has played international youth football, made over 100 appearances for Dundalk and played premiership football for Warrenpoint so comes with a wealth of experience. We need good quality footballers who can play in several positions and different formations which Nathan can do with ease. He was probably the easiest signing we have made this summer as he just wants to play and enjoy his football which I’ve no doubt he will do.”

Since the club reformed one of the main things we pride ourselves on is having made a swift return to senior football with mainly local players playing for the club. In the close season Newry Manager Darren Mullen has added another two talented Newry players to his panel with the acquisitions of Ruairi Cunningham and Caolan Gray.

Ruairi Cunningham “I’m excited about the prospect of playing Championship football with the club. It’s great to see the club on an upward curve and I hope I can come in and add something to the team to keep the club pushing towards the Irish League. Also being from Newry I know a few of the squad already so hopefully I can come in and hit the ground running right from the start.”

Caolan Gray “I’m delighted to have signed for Newry and can’t wait to play at The Showgrounds this season. We already have a very strong team and I know it will be difficult but I’ll give everything I can to be a success at the club. My Dad played for Newry and I’m looking forward to following in his footsteps by pulling the Newry jersey on.”

Darren Mullen “I’m delighted to have the two lads on board. It’s vital that we have the best local talent at the club and they certainly fall into that category. Both lads played youth football at the club and will know most of the other lads so it will be easy for them to join the group. Ruari is quick, strong and is also a threat going forward along with what he offers at set pieces. Caolan scored 58 goals a few seasons ago in the Carnbane League so will provide a real threat along with our existing forwards. They both deserve a chance to play Irish league football and I’ve no doubt they are well fit for that challenge.”

Cover Photo: Caolan Gray (left) Darren Mullen & Ruairi Cunningham (right).

Newry City tonight added another player with Championship experience to the squad with the signing of goalkeeper Steven Maguire. A previous youth player at the club, Stephen joins Newry from neighbouring Warrenpoint Town.

Darren Mullen “I’m delighted to have Steven at the club and I’ve no doubt he will provide strong competition for the No. 1 spot. He comes with plenty of experience having played Championship football for Warrenpoint last season. We already have 2 very good keepers at the club in Kieran Gordon and Jack Heaney but with Murph leaving we needed another player of proven quality to push the lads on. His eagerness to sign for the Newry was evident and I’ve no doubt Steven will prove a welcome addition to the club.”

Steven Maguire added “I can’t wait to get started with the club, it’s a fantastic opportunity to play for a club with top class facilities and coaching. I played with Newry City FC at underage and reserve level, so I’ve already had a taste of the intense training Mickey Keenan puts the goalkeepers through. I’m excited to be back playing at Newry, I’ve played with a few different clubs in England at amateur level but most recently with Warrenpoint Town so I am well aware of the standard we will be up against but Newry will certainly be able to match it.”

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

A vital part of the Newry set up since we reformed goalkeeper Peter Murphy has parted company with the club. Blessed with super agility not only will Murph be remembered by Newry followers for some outstanding reflex saves, the 9th November 2013 will also live in the memory of NCAFC supporters as Barry Flynn commentating live for Radio Ulster reported as Murph not only saved 4 penalties, he scored one himself to put Newry into the Rnd 4 of The Irish Cup. https://newrycityafc.co.uk/2013/11/10/murphy-saves-the-day-at-the-showgrounds/

Another player who gave great service Peter will always be welcome at The Showgrounds.

Darren Mullen “As much as Mully has been rightly lauded for getting the goals to get us back to the Irish league Murph was absolutely vital to the success we achieved. Two weeks before we started our season in intermediate B we didn’t have a keeper so to get someone with his quality in was a terrific signing for us. In his 4 years at the club he was brilliant for me and was one of the most popular players at the club. His acrobatic goal celebrations will live long in the memory and he knows he will be forever welcome at The Showgrounds.”

Peter Murphy “It was a real privilege for me to have played for four years for my home town club. To also have had so much success and to have helped bring Newry back to just one step away from the top league is one of the proudest achievements of my career. A superb management team and a great bunch of lads, I wish them all the best in the future. NCAFC”