With a defence superbly marshalled by Man of the Match Paul Donegan Newry City finally got their league campaign up and running with a comprehensive five goal thumping of AFC Craigavon at The Showgrounds on Saturday. With only one point secured from the two league games already played this was just the result that the Newry boys needed to kick start their first season in Mid Ulster Intermediate A.

That said it took an early intervention from keeper Peter Murphy to stop Craigavon taking an early lead when Ryan Haddock wriggled free inside the box, Murphy quickly off his line to block Haddocks shot with his legs.

The Newry response was swift, Keith Johnston bursting down the right wing, his run only halted when he was hauled down wide of the penalty area. Quick of feet and thought Johnston took a short free to Jimmy Walker who forced the Craigavon keeper Geogheghan into a fine save from inside the box. The reprieve to the Craigavon goal did not last long as Newry opened the scoring with their next attack. Neil Barr controlled a long pass from defence, spun his marker and although forced wide of the goal as he skipped past the advancing Geoghegan, Barr composed himself on the end line to pick out his partner Sean McMullan who got free from his marker to side foot Barr’s cross to the empty net to put Newry 1-0 up.

Having now ended his five game goal drought McMullan had enough chances to grab a hat trick within five minutes. On 24 minutes Chris Fay worked hard to retrieve a ball which had gone across the face of the Craigavon goal and was heading for a throw in on the other side. Fay turned back on goal and picked out McMullan with a chipped cross which the big man did well to get power into but was unfortunate to see his header hit the underside of the crossbar. Two minutes later the striker had another chance, Johnston broke from the half way line showing Coleman a clean pair of heals. Level with the penalty area Johnston whipped in a cross which first evaded Barr at the front post but fell to the backing up McMullan who was unfortunate to find Geogheghan with his snap shot.

Newry doubled their advantage on 36 minutes in a sweeping movement which started with Graeme Edgar at left back and ended with Johnston on the right wing swinging in a cross for which Fay rose highest at the back post to bullet his header into the roof of the Craigavon goal.

Two nil up at half time Newry sealed the points 10 minutes into the second half. Taking a short corner from Fay, Jimmy Walker whipped in a low cross which went through a ruck of players and seemed to be heading out of the box only for Donegan to react quickest getting to the ball just before a Craigavon defender who, now committed to the challenge, took the Newry man down. With the referee having little option but to award a penalty up stepped Fay to blast his spot kick high into the top corner to put Newry 3-0 up.

With Newry completely dominant in possession and with Donegan and Chris McMahon urging against any complacency more goals looked sure to come.

Midfielder Ryan Quinn certainly looked to have got the message from his captain when he harassed a mistake from the Craigavon defence as they attempted to hold possession, the breaking ball falling to Newry playmaker Walker 30 yards from goal. As only Walker can he held up the ball before chipping a delightful pass which landed on the chest of centre forward McMullan who controlled the ball and turned away from two markers in one movement before shooting home from the middle of the penalty area to put Newry four goals clear with 25 minutes left.

Newry almost conceded a goal and also almost scored one of the goals of the season, both within 30 seconds on 80 minutes.

First in a rare break away Craigavon threatened to score only to be thwarted by Murphy who again was quickly of his line to spread his frame and smother the shot. Regaining his feet Murphy rolled the ball to Niall Crilly who in turn released the speedster Johnston. In a flash Johnston was down the wing and swinging over a cross which curled back to the edge of the box where David O’Connor met it on the run, his volley thumping of the crossbar with the beaten Geogheghan motionless. The final goal of the game came late on and appropriately it went to Johnston who had enjoyed an excellent performance. Aaron Brilly, keen to impress having been introduced as a substitute, came deep to pick up the ball and made ground into the Craigavon half before neatly finding Walker. Instantly Walker released Barr who’s first time shot could only be palmed up in the air by Geogheghan, Walker the first to react to the rebound controlling the looping ball and slipping a pass to Johnston who blasted his low shot to the net to seal a 5 goal win.

In all a thoroughly deserved victory for Newry in a game in which at last they turned the hard work and incessant passing into goals. Newry manager Darren Mullen had clearly sounded a warning to his players “We are gathering a big squad now and the players know that they have to be playing at the top of their game to be in the team. In recent games with the possession and the chances we have been creating I knew that it was only a matter of time before we had a big win and thankfully that proved to be the case.”

Newry City’s next game is next Saturday, 4^th October at home to Donard Hospital in the 2^nd round of the Irish Cup.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, Edgar, McMahon, Donegan, Quinn, Walker, Johnston, Barr, McMullan, Fay. Subs: Brilly, Magill, O’Connor, Curran.

Man of the Match: Paul Donegan

Photograph courtesy of Louis McNally.

This was a game that had everything, ten goals, red cards, penalties, the woodwork hit, dubious refereeing decisions and to cap it off a Newry win which puts them into the second round of the Bob Radcliffe Cup and in the process gain some revenge on Hanover for a couple of cup defeats last season. With the sides having met five times last year, Newry shading those games 3 to 2 and with Hanover having made a good start to this season Newry would have been well aware that this had the makings of a tricky cup tie. And while it turned out that way much of Newry’s discomfort was of their own making.

Having got off to the best possible start after only three minutes when Ian Curran got his head to Chrissy Fay’s free kick to help the ball into the far corner of the Hanover goal Newry immediately allowed Hanover back into the game when indecision and slack marking at the back saw Hanover win two headers inside the home penalty area, the second of which belonged to Stephen Douglas who nodded the ball into the Newry net at the back post. The home side were creating chances with Paul Donegan unfortunate to see his half volley from the edge of the area fly the wrong side of the post after Joel Armstrong in the Hanover goal had flapped at a Fay cross. Armstrong was even more fortunate minutes later when David O’Connor played in Fay on the left wing. Fay who was giving his marker the run around with a Man of the Match display took the ball to the by line and whipped in a low cross which was met on the volley by Aaron Brilly who was unlucky to see his effort slam of the inside of the post and back into the arms of the grateful Armstrong.

Despite this pressure, Newry went a goal down on 27 minutes. Awarded a free kick inside their own half Hanover hit a long ball to Justin Bradley and with the home defence waiting for the referee to call play to a halt as Bradley appeared to have started his run from an off side position Bradley lobbed the ball over the advancing Peter Murphy to put Hanover 2-1 in the lead. The home side had a golden chance to equalize just before half time and again Fay was involved. This time he turned his marker inside out on the edge of the box before sliding a pass to Mark Lowry. Lowry took one touch before turning inside too quickly as it transpired for the Hanover centre half who tripped him, the referee pointing immediately to the penalty spot. Having missed a spot kick last week Newry changed the penalty taker trusting Ian Curran with the task. However, the result was similar, the Newry defender pulling his shot wide of the post leaving his team a goal down at half time.

The home side did however equalize straight after the break, Fay swinging in a corner for which Mark Patton rose highest to bullet a header into the top corner of the Hanover net. Although Newry were now on top they did not look like scoring and in an effort to change the game manager Darren Mullen introduced last season’s top scorer Neil Barr, Keith Johnston and Kenny Kearns from the bench. Niall Crilly was having success attacking down Newry’s right flank and on the hour mark he linked up with Chris McMahon and Lowry in a sweeping movement which ended with a Barr shot from inside the box being deflected wide. A Newry goal was coming with Crilly continuing to get forward. Released by Fay Crilly ran directly at the Hanover defence playing a one two with Barr before testing Armstrong with a shot from inside the box which the Hanover keeper did well to save. The goal however did come minutes later and this time it was from a penalty which was converted. With a loose ball waiting to be won in the middle of the park McMahon as usual committed 100% to the tackle, winning the ball which spun wide to Crilly. Crilly found Fay on the edge of the box and when his shot was blocked by the arm of a Hanover defender the referee again pointed to the penalty spot and perhaps harshly sent off the Hanover defender. Once more Newry changed their penalty taker this time Fay making no mistake shooting low into the corner to put Newry 3-2 up.

Yet again Newry contrived to make things difficult for themselves allowing Bradley to score two soft goals within five minutes of each other to turn the game on its head. And to make matters worse for the second of these goals Newry protested too vociferously against what appeared to be another dubious offside decision by the referee leading to a straight red card for Paul Donegan. With both sides now reduced to 10 men Newry pressed for the equalizer and got their reward with time running out when Barr went on a run down the left wing, cut inside the Hanover box and fired in a low and hard shot which Armstrong could not hold, the alert Lowry forcing the loose ball over the line to leave the final score level at 4-4.

The home side’s fitness played a major part in extra time as they looked much the livelier team with Murphy in the Newry goal untroubled in both periods. With the first period remaining scoreless it was only a matter if Newry could score to prevent the lottery of penalty kicks. And score the home team did, twice in fact, to win the tie. First Crilly took the ball out of defence and from the edge of the penalty area slipped a clever ball to the unmarked Kenny Kearns who took one touch and then drilled the ball into the roof of the Hanover net. Newry sealed victory with goal number six, Kearns intercepting the ball in midfield and passing to Barr who calmly took the ball around the advancing keeper and slotted the ball into the empty night to seal victory. While happy with the win Newry manager knows that his team can improve on this display “We couldn’t have wished for a better start with the early goal but defensive mistakes throughout the team made this a more difficult game than it should have been. Games against Hanover are never dull and this one proved no different. We actually played some good football but basic errors made it a hectic game in terms of chances and goals. If we can cut out the errors, which we will work on in training, then hopefully we can continue on this winning run. Having six different goal scorers shows the threat we have throughout the team including those coming off the bench”

Man of the Match, Sponsored by B.Wilson & Sons: Chris Fay

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, O’Connor, Donegan, Curran, McMahon, Brilly, Fay, Patton, McMullan, Lowry, Subs: Kearns, Barr, Johnston, Martin, Campbell, Quinn, Davison.

 Newry City AFC would like to congratulate one of our loyal supporters Johnny Ferns for completing the Ice Bucket Challenge after being nominated by Newry Manager Darren Mullen. Johnny completed the challenge outside Newry Social Club on Saturday after the match. Well Done Johnny!!

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

“I thought it was going to be one of those days” was how Newry manager Darren Mullen summed up his teams Irish Cup 1^st round match in Strabane on Saturday. Having twice hit the woodwork before going a goal down just after the half hour mark and then spurning a series of good chances most present would have agreed with his assessment but that was not allowing for Newry’s battling qualities and Mark Patton’s equalizing goal in the 87^th minute after which there was only going to be one team progressing into the next round from this tie.

For the first half hour the game was fairly even with chances coming and going and both ends. After only five minutes Newry keeper Peter Murphy was forced to dive low to his right to make a fine save from a Jason McGrinder effort from inside the penalty area. Newry’s response was immediate, Chrissy Fay making space wide on the left wing and swinging in a cross which the Strabane keeper flapped at, the loose ball falling to Sean McMullan who with a wall of players in front of him lobbed the ball over the keeper only for a covering defender to head the ball up and off the underside of the crossbar and bounce to safety.  McMullan was soon to have another chance. Fay fed the over lapping Lowry who cut inside the box and pulled his pass back to McMullan on the penalty spot, the big man twisting and turning but unable to get a clear shot on goal.

On 20 minutes Murphy came to Newrys rescue once more when a sloppy pass out of defence was seized upon by Strabane who worked the ball into the Newry box, Murphy diving full length to save a goal bound shot. With play now end to end the next chance was Newry’s. Embarking on a mazy run Lowry was tripped in a central position some 25 yards from goal. Up stepped McMullan to whip the free kick up and over the wall only to see his shot smack off the crossbar.  Newry continued to press with Aaron Brilly breaking down the right wing before playing a cross field pass which found Lowry on the edge of the box, Lowry’s shot well saved by the home keeper.

Newrys hopes of a cup run were dealt a blow on 35 minutes when Strabanes McGrinder made his way inside the box and fired in a low and hard shot which beat Murphy’s dive, smacked the post and rebounded into the prostrate Newry keeper ricocheting into the opposite corner of the net to put the home team into the lead.

A goal down at half time Newry had a great chance to equalize straight after the restart. Niall Crilly aimed a long throw in to McMullan inside the box. Spotting the run of Patton cleverly McMullan stepped over the ball which fell into his partner’s path, Patton unfortunately unable to get enough force into his shot to beat the keeper. Newry kept making chances. Ryan Quinn who was having a major influence on the game having been introduced into the centre of midfield played a through ball to McMullan. Again McMullan twisted one way and then another to find room to shoot before attempting to curl the ball into the far corner, his shot once more finding the home keeper. And when a Fay cross from the left wing found an unmarked Lowry in space on the edge of the six yard box and the man who has been in such good form hit his shot off the top of the crossbar the omens were really bleak for a Newry cup run. However that was all to change with minutes left Patton battling for a long ball in the Strabane box, the big man using his physical presence to turn his marker and then plant the ball into the roof of the Strabane net to bring the tie to extra time.

Full of energy and buoyed by the late equalizer Newry completely dominated the extra period. As early as the 2^nd minute Lowry went on a mazy run and from the corner of the box curled a left foot shot towards the far top corner and with the home keeper stranded the ball hit the Strabane woodwork for the 3^rd time. This was only delaying the inevitable as minutes later Crilly and Lowry wove a pattern of passes down the flank before finding Keith Johnston who sped away from his marker and slipped a clinical finish past the Strabane custodian to put Newry in front. Newry had a chance to give themselves some breathing space soon after with Lowry once more weaving his way around defenders only to be chopped down inside the box, the referee with no option but to award a penalty kick. With the large travelling support holding its breath up stepped McMullan. Unfortunately the Strabane keeper got the better of the battle diving to his left to smother the spot kick. Again the let off was temporary. For this game Newry had an embarrassment of strength on the bench one of whom was captain Chris McMahon who was returning from injury. Normally a midfield dynamo McMahon was introduced in the first half at left back due to an injury to Conor McCaul. Whilst he did not look out of place defending McMahons two most important contributions were to be direct long balls which lead to goals.

With the first period of extra time running out McMahon hit a long pass over the top of the Strabane defence for speed merchant Johnston who had also been introduced from the bench. Although not winning the first ball Johnston battled back to secure possession. With Fay providing a decoy on the overlap Johnston ran direct at the Strabane rearguard taking the ball almost to the end line before firing in a low cross which was met by Lowry darting across the face of the goal to deflect the cross into the net with the deftest of touches. The second period of extra time was a keep ball exercise for Newry illuminated by another spot by McMahon seeing Lowry isolated on the half way line and playing perfect long pass which the Newry speedster ran on to before lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper to add some gloss on the score line.

Newry manager Darren Mullen was obviously delighted with his team’s perseverance “We knew that Strabane were a good side and I would say that they deservedly took the lead as we started slowly. However after they scored we were the better team for the remainder of the game and had many chances to score. I thought it was going to be one of those days but after Mark scored I had no doubt that we were going to win. The pace of Keith Johnston and Mark Lowry caused them problems and it ended up a very good win for us. It has taken us a while to get going and while we are not going to get carried away we are starting to look like a proper team”

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, McCaul, Curran, Donegan, Patton, Fay, Brilly, McMullan, Edgar, Lowry. Subs: McMahon, Quinn, Johnston, Barr, Campbell, Martin, Davison.

Newry breezed into the third round of the Marshall Cup with a comfortable four goal win over Seapatrick at the Showgrounds on Tuesday evening. Determined to build from the back Newry at times passed the ball around as if they were the only team on the pitch and created many more chances than were converted. Never the less manager Darren Mullen will see this as another improved display as his team settle down after a shaky start to the season.

The home sides first chance came as early as the second minute, David O’Connor lofted the ball to the edge of the area where it was helped on by Mark Patton to Aaron Brilly arriving at the back post, Brilly’s prod at the ball through the defenders legs saved by Darren Brooker in the Seapatrick goal.

Lowry’s lightening pace later proved to be the one of the highlights of the match and Seapatrick got an early warning on the fifth minute when he was released by Niall Crilly for a run on goal. Having burst into the opposing penalty area Lowry chose to pull the ball back for Sean McMullan who had done well to get anywhere near Lowry and was unfortunate when Lowrys pullback was a stride behind him as he arrived inside the box.

The home support didn’t have to wait long on the opening goal however as Newry went 1-0 up on 10 minutes with the same two players involved. This time McMullan was to be the provider slipping the ball to the feet of Lowry who rolled away from his marker and passed the ball neatly past Brooker for goal number one.

Newry were almost playing with a four man attack with Brilly on the right and Chris Fay on the left linking with Lowry and McMullan. The two wingers were central to Newrys next two chances, the first of which was spurned, the second converted. On 17 minutes Brilly picked the ball up inside his own half and raced forward, giving the ball to Lowry before getting it back and whipping in a high cross to the back post where it was met by Fay alas unable to keep his headed effort down, the ball sailing over the crossbar.

The second chance was created by one of those passing movements which Newry excel at. Having received the ball from his defence Patton held the play up in midfield before laying it back to centre half Paul Donegan. Donegan spotted Lowry move into space and pumped a low ball into his feet. Lowry instantly knocked the ball wide to Brilly who whipped another cross along the face of the Seapatrick goal where again it was met by Fay arriving at the back post and this time he made no mistake to double the Newry lead.

Newry were attacking at will at this stage with Graeme Edgar, who had another excellent game in the centre of the park, venturing forward to get his head to a Fay cross but was unable to get enough loft on his attempt to lift the ball over Brooker.

The 35^th minute brought the first threat to the Newry goal of the night, an effort which was snuffed out by an excellent sliding block from Donegan who with his partner Ian Curran rarely looked troubled and were more often the building blocks for Newry attacks.

The third goal owed much to the skill of McMullan. Receiving a throw in from O’Connor deep in the Seapatrick half McMullan flicked the ball up and crossed it over his head for Brilly to nip in front of his marker and flick a deft volley from the edge of the small box up and over Brooker and into the net for a picture goal to leave the half time score 3-0.

With the tie virtually won in the first half there was little urgency to the game in the early part of the second half as the home side passed the ball around. This changed on 65 minutes when O’Connor battled for the ball deep in his own half and having secured possession found Patton. Like Edgar, Patton had shown his versatility with a splendid nights work in the centre of midfield. Now with the ball at his feet and having spotted Lowry isolated with his marker on the half way line the big man pitched a perfect ball which bounced midway inside the Seapatrick half giving Lowry a race with his marker. Having started a yard or two behind in a flash Lowry had raced past the defender and despite attempts to haul him back latched onto the ball and in a few paces fired in a low shot which Brooker could only tip onto the base of his post and into the net for goal number four.

With the game won Newry made three changes but the chances kept coming with McMullan involved in most. On 75 minutes he broke down the right wing and crossed to the back post where Stefan Martin rose highest to head the ball back across the goal and was unfortunate to see it cleared off the line for a corner. Ever alert McMullan received a short pass from the corner and picked out Curran who’s diving header was also blocked on the Seapatrick goal line.

Seapatrick for their part kept battling and with 10 minutes left had their best opportunity of the night. Having hustled the Newry defence into a mistake a Seapatrick attacker fizzed a low shot from the corner of the Newry box across goal forcing Peter Murphy to dive full length to tip the shot around his post.

The final chance of the night came Newry’s way and once more McMullan was at the centre of it. Finding himself surrounded by three Seapatrick players wide on the right McMullan flicked a pass up and over the trio releasing the overlapping Edgar down the wing. Edgar swung in a cross which Lowry headed wide.

In all a comfortable win for Newry but as always games have to be won. This game was won with a solid defence who moped up anything which came their way along with often starting many attacking movements. In midfield Patton and Edgar put in sterling shifts whilst the four attacking players jelled excellently with Lowry sealing the Man of the Match award with two excellent goals.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, O’Connor, Curran, Donegan, Patton, Edgar, Brilly, Fay, McMullan, Lowry. Subs: Martin, Campbell, Quinn, Davison.

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

With Ballymacash Rangers the first visitors to The Showgrounds for the new season Newry were able to witness the step up in grade which awaits them in their first season in Mid Ulster Intermediate A from opponents who spent most of last season in the top quarter of the table. As for the match itself Newry’s cause was not helped on the quarter hour mark when they lost their captain Chris McMahon through injury. Indeed McMahon was fortunate not to have been badly injured in the incident which left his shin and ankle badly bruised but was not judged to have been worthy of a free kick by the match referee. The man in the middle did, however, get his next major decision correct when he awarded a penalty against Newry for a mistimed tackle which sent a Ballymacash forward sprawling over the end line from a position in which he was posing little danger to the Newry goal.

The Newry response to going a goal behind from the spot kick will have pleased manager Darren Mullen as his side pressed forward for the rest of the half. Kenny Kearns fired over from the edge of the box after being set up by Mark Patton and then Kearns floated a delightful diagonal ball over the defence into the path of Mark Lowry who got to the ball first but was unable to get enough power into his shot to trouble the keeper. Newry were now well on top but when a dubious offside call by the referee robbed McMullan of a chance for the equalizer it looked as if the half time whistle was going to come at the wrong time for the home side. However, the big man was not to be denied. Chris Fay laid the ball wide into the path of Paddy Magill who whipped over a high cross for which Patton challenged the keeper, the ball falling to McMullan who finished to the net to leave the half time score level.

Newry continued to probe after the break with Kearns and Lowry causing problems for the Ballymacash defence, Lowry paying the price for his trickery being subjeced to a series of late tackles by a stretched defence. However for all their pressure Newry never really looked like scoring and when they did get into dangerous positions the threat was ended with Newry players repeatedly adjudged to have roamed needlessly into offside positions. With 15 minutes left it looked as if Newry might be about to get on top when a Ballymacash defender was given a red card for yet another late tackle on Lowry. Alas, the breakthrough never came and Newry paid the highest price when they gave away a soft free kick just inside their own half and then allowed the Ballymacash centrehalf to move forward and get onto the end of the free kick to nod home and secure the three points for his team.

In a game where they often promised but never really got going best for Newry were Kenny Kearns, Mark Lowry and Sean McMullan.

Speaking after the game Newry manager Darren McMullan was in philosophical mood “Apart from the first 20 minutes of this game I thought we were the better team and had most of the possession but lacked a cutting edge. They were a good physical side and it was a good indication of what is ahead this season as they are one of the favourites for the league. Defensive errors cost us dearly in the end against 10 men and we are going to have to learn to make the most of our chances. It was an improvement on the Lower Maze performance and we will have to pick ourselves up for the next league game.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, O’Connor, Magill, McCaul, Donegan, Fay, Walker, McMahon, Patton, McMullan, Kearns. Subs: Lowry, Brilly, Edgar, Curran, Crilly.