Author: Sean

Newry U15s update

by Colm Murphy, Newry U15 Manager

Since the New Year, Newry City U15s have had mixed fortunes in league and cup! A few positive results after Christmas in the league cup didn’t carry into the league and the team came up against a strong Ardstraw side in last 16 of NIBFA cup. However recent league results has seen the lads move up the league table and into top five. The most recent match report for the lads’ 7-3 win against Valley Rangers is below.

Newry started brightly and should have scored in first minute when Niall Grant hit post but made up for it shortly after when man of the match Sean Mc Conville hit a great shot to put the team one up! Credit to Valley they never give up and equalised soon after but Newry hit back with another McConville goal to make it 2-1. Lack of concentration let Valley back in and they got another equaliser just before half time. Newry didn’t stop there and Adam Toner hit shot that sailed past keeper and then from kick off Mc Conville scored his third for a first half hat-trick.
Second half – Valley started brighter and pulled a goal back but then Tiernan O’Reilly broke away to score goal number 5 for Newry. This signalled a step up in play by Newry and Tiarnan Murphy twice ran on to passes from McConville to hit number 6 and 7.
This was a great all round team performance. From Keeper to front line everyone deserves credit. Thanks to Valley Rangers for a sporting game and also to our parents for your support once again.

Next match is away to Rathfriland on Wednesday night in the cup at 7.30! Let’s keep it going lads! Well done today!

Newry City AFC receive Ifa/McDonalds Award

Newry City AFC has recently completed the McDonald’s Irish FA Foundation Club Mark scheme. 89 clubs across Northern Ireland have been awarded the McDonald’s Irish FA Foundation Club Mark scheme since its launch in 2014. The scheme offers coach education bursaries, free equipment and 12 hours of coach mentoring to grassroots football clubs with mentoring and encouragement also provided to encourage clubs to aim towards the Irish FA’s Excellence Mark.

Newry City both worked closely with an Irish FA Development Officer over six mentoring sessions to learn more about taking their grassroots clubs to the next level. The clubs can now promote to players, parents and volunteers that they have successfully demonstrated outstanding governance, practice and operating standards that will assist the clubs to grow and raise coaching standards.

Grassroots Development Manager, Ian Stewart stated, “Our Grassroots Development Officers have done a fantastic job working with clubs across Northern Ireland to achieve this standard. It is a credit to the clubs and individuals involved that the community can benefit from their hard work and dedication to football in Northern Ireland. I look forward to seeing Newry City being nominated in the future for a Club of the Year Award as part of McDonald’s Irish FA Community Awards.”

Local Ifa RGDO for Newry, Mourne and Down Seamus Heath was delighted with the commitment and dedication from all at Newry City and McDonalds Newry. Seamus commented;

“It was a pleasure working with Darren Mullen and his team of coaches as they rebuild Newry City.”

“It was also ironic that it was Newry City’s U10’s who received the equipment and was presented to club member Marina Binks who also works in McDonald’s Newry.”

Speaking about receiving the award, a delighted Newry City AFC manager Darren Mullen said;

“This award is a sign of the progress being made at the club and is a reward for all of the hard work the youth coaches have been putting in.”

“We are continually trying to build the club back up to a level whereby we have a constant supply of local talent. This will not happen overnight and it’s only through continuous progress that we attain that goal. We now have the skills school, U10s, U15s, U16s and U17s groups that are representing the club and enjoying their football along the way.”

He added, “I would like to thank Seamus Heath and the IFA for their time and valuable assistance in helping us obtain this award.”

 

Newry City U16 6 – 1 Ballybot Celtic U16

It was Newry’s third win of the season over local  rivals Ballybot Celtic. Newry took the lead when Shealan Fegan latched onto a breaking ball on the right hand side despite pressure from the Celtic defender and falling back Shealan managed to curl a right footed shot into the Ballybot net , a great goal.

Newry started to pile on the pressure playing some great one and two touch  football in midfield with Dean Morgan and Matty Taylor  who were exceptional on the day. Shealan picked up the ball just past the half way line he beat four players and fired the ball into the net for a second a truly brilliant goal.

Newry kept possession well and Kaylem Elliott who was coming back from injury showed a great amount of composure and slotted it past the keeper. James Irwin also impressed at right back and never put a foot wrong.

At halftime Newry were encouraged  to keep playing possession football and to keep trying to make the right decisions. At the start of the second half Newry won a corner and Matty Taylor curled a great ball into the path of Jervie Og Mc Caul who caught the ball on the volley and scored Newry’s fourth , another well taken goal . Hubert Pasternak scored  Newry’s fifth when he dropped his shoulder and scored a wonderful 25 yard drive.

Newry kept dominating and won a free kick just outside the box . Shealan scored his hat trick with a well taken free kick and he won Newry’s man of the match.  Jack Beattie was introduced with 20 mins left and nearly got on the score sheet when the ball narrowly went past the right hand post. Jack Carville  also added an extra bite in midfield and did really well. The low point for Newry was when  keeper Adam Watson had to go  off with a nasty ankle injury. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Ballybot grabbed a consolation goal but it was too late, with Newry deserving a well earned win. After a few weeks lay off, the Newry team played very well and it was a great team performance matched by some excellent goals.

Lurgan Celtic u19s 5 – 0 Newry City u17s

U19 Mid Ulster Youth cup
It was always going to be a tough challenge for Newry’s under 17s playing against an under 19 team from the National League and playing their first ever 90 minute match.
Lurgan started as you would expect a good quality team to perform giving a lesson on possession and one touch football. Newry certainly give it their all and Shane Magill pulled of some outstanding saves for the first half hour to keep Newry in the game, James Smyth also had to step into centre back role today due to injuries in that position. Finally Lurgan broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a cracking cross which was excellently headed into the net. Lurgan stepped up the pace again before the break to score their 2nd.
After half time Newry came out fighting and had the best possession for the first 15mins but unfortunately couldn’t split the Lurgan defence. Goal of the game then came when the Lurgan winger dribbled around three players and split the defence for a quick 1-2 which left Magill with no chance of stopping him. Newry did get the ball in the net when pacey Ross McGuinness made a run from the half way line and rounded the keeper to slot home – only to have an offside decision go against him. Lurgan finished off the game with two late goals as Newry tried to get a consolation goal. Newry staff where very proud of the team performance today and delighted with the fitness and commitment from the squad.

Quiz night coming up

Newry City AFC is hosting a table quiz on Thursday December 3rd, in the Canal Court Hotel at 9.15pm, in aid of the club’s academy.

Come along for the craic and help support the club! Academy players & parents are all welcome!