Author: Sean

R.I.P Tommy O’Hanlon

It is with deep regret that we learn of the death this morning of Newry City AFC Management Committee member Tommy O’Hanlon.

Tommy lived and breathed Newry City AFC and will be sorely missed by everybody at the club. We would like to pass our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his wife Anne at this time.

Newrycityafc.co.uk spoke with City Manager Darren Mullen, Chairman Martin McLoughlin, Committee member Ian McDonald and former Committee member Jim Campbell, who all spoke of the fondness and high regard they had for Tommy.

Martin McLoughlin – Newry City AFC Chairman

richard scudamore
The letter Tommy received back from Richard Scudamore. (Click to view larger version)

It’s a sad time for the club just now, having lost a dedicated club man. Tommy was a life-long supporter of the club. He served our club in many roles – as Treasurer, Club Shop Operator, Lotto Co-ordinator and many more I’m sure. Tommy was a lynch pin in the day to day running of the club and will be sorely missed.

A little story comes to mind when the club were reforming last year. Tommy contacted Richard Scudamore, the Chief Executive of the English Premier League. He asked him to donate a prize for a club raffle. A few weeks later Tommy received a letter back from Richard Scudamore and a cheque for £500.

Tommy was one of life’s givers and it was a pleasure to have known him. RIP Tommy.

Darren Mullen – Newry City AFC Senior Team Manager

The club has suffered a huge loss with the passing of former Treasurer and Committee member Tommy O’Hanlon. Tommy was a terrific servant for many years and played his part in the reformation of the club. He accompanied Eric Wilson and myself to Stormont to meet with MLAs when we were trying to sort through the issues that would allow us to reform.

I visited Tommy in hospital on Wednesday and even though he wasn’t well, all he wanted to talk about was football, wishing us good luck in our game this Saturday. I count myself lucky to have met Tommy and I will have fond memories of his easy and likeable manner. He was a true gentleman and our thoughts are with his wife Anne at this time.

Ian McDonald – Newry City AFC Management Committee member

Tommy was a walking encyclopedia of Newry City trivia which will be dearly missed. He was a true gentleman with whom it was a pleasure to run the Showgrounds Lottery every Monday evening. It’s a little hard to take in that I will not hear his craic nor laugh at his humour any more.

Jim Campbell – Former Newry Town FC Management Committee member

It is with deep regret that I learn of the death this morning of Tom O’Hanlon.

I first got to know Tom during the 1974-75 season when he was supporting the club in the old B league. Newry Town won the B League (South Section) that season and met Carrick Rangers (winners of the North Section) in a playoff game at Ballyclare. He was incensed that the Irish League forced us to play the game at Ballyclare and not at a more neutral venue and wrote letters to the Irish League complaining about the lack of fairness. The club received a reply from the Irish League regarding Tom’s letter and we met him to advise of the explanation regarding choice of venue.

A few weeks later he was elected as a member of our Management Committee. Soon after that he was elected Hon Treasurer of the club, a position he occupied with great honour for many years. Tom was not only a great treasurer but a dedicated worker and loyal fan of Newry Town/City for all those years.

I have lost a true friend and the club has also lost a true friend and wonderful dedicated member. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to his loving Wife Anne and the Wider Family Circle.

If you knew Tommy and would like to pay your respects to him or share your memories please feel free to leave your tributes below.

Under 13 and Under 14 boys trials

There will be a trial night on Tuesday 12th August at the Abbey for our Under 13 and Under 14 boys teams ( Born 2001 and 2002). The trial is from 6.30pm to 8pm.

If you require any more info please contact our Youth Academy Manager Conlon Morrison on 07919592943.

Newry host Warrenpoint Town tonight

The Newry first team continue their preparation for the new season tonight when they play host to neighbours Warrenpoint Town. Kick off is at 7.30pm down at the Showgrounds. Make sure you get down and support the lads!

Membership forms will be available from the club shop tomorrow night. It is £30 to become a member of the club for the 2014/2015 season. This will include a season ticket which grants you free entry into each of the home league games. For anyone wishing to renew their membership from last season, the form does not need to be filled out, the fee of £30 will suffice.

 

Tiernan Murphy selected for NI elite squad

Photo caption, left to right: Newry City AFC U-12 player Tiernan Murphy is pictured here with his Dad Colm who is also the assistant manager of the U12 team, Newry City AFC academy manager Conlon Morrison and academy kit manager Sean Gaffney

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Congratulations to Newry City AFC U-12 player Tiarnan Murphy who has recently been selected for the Northern Ireland U-12 Elite development Southern area squad.

The programme aims to prepare our young players for the professional game and ultimately representing Northern Ireland at Senior International level. Tiernan has gone through a number of trial selections which started with over 80 players last September and whittled down to a final panel of 16 players.

The new strategy for player development ties in with the new corporate strategy with the aim of qualifying for a major tournament. The Irish FA Player Development Programme was established in January 2012 in response to the Association’s desire to identify talented footballers at the Under age groups across Northern Ireland and nurture that talent through an agreed coaching syllabus.

Tiarnan has progressed through the ranks at Newry City’s youth academy under the guidance of Academy Manager Conlon Morrison and his Professional coach Lee Kirrane. This is a great accolade for the newly formed Newry City AFC and shows how the club is progressing through its Youth structure.

All photos courtesy of Garbhan McParland

The Magical Mystery Tour

Newry City AFC supporter ‘Belfast City’ recently gave newrycityafc.co.uk his outlook on how the season is progressing thus far.

The Magical Mystery Tour

by ‘Belfast City’

February 09 –  CIS Cup Final, April 12 – Irish Cup Semi Final, March 14 – Mid Ulster Intermediate B, Brownstown Park….. lonely, anxious, bereft? No chance when you support a club that refused to die and which at present is playing mainly, entertaining, winning football, all combined with the opportunity to visit new and exotic venues such as Laurelvale.

The village of Laurelvale was founded in the mid 19th Century and although the linen mill has been demolished, the red brick houses built for the workers remain as a reminder of our economic and social history. Heading for the ground on that December afternoon I could hear the evocative sound of Dvorak’s Symphony No 9 (that’s the Hovis Bread Ad music for the uninitiated). The omens felt good. Don’t ask why, they just did.

The compact pitch was marked out on what appeared to be common grazing ground and was not conducive to our penchant for silky football. What we were witnessing was more of the polyester variety. After our obligatory, once a game, miss of this or any other season, we finally took the lead midway through the second half. However, the hosts refused to buckle and after a period of pressure equalized with a 35 yard effort which appeared to take a deflection off a burial mound en route into the bottom corner.

The tension was now palpable and a request was made from a local supporter that we refrain from expressing ourselves with such colourful language. While still in the process of composing an alternative lexicon for the Travel Bus crew, the same gent informed his companions that he expected more from us as a team, considering the facilities and resources at our disposal. Realizing these were nothing more than the musings of many Manchester Utd fans regarding their team this season, I promptly pilfered a prawn sandwich from his faux leather man bag and enlightened him of his dubious parentage. OK, the last bit isn’t true.

With time running out changes were made and we went close on several occasions before bundling one in at the back post. Cue orgasmic, or at least, over the top celebrations, as we politely thumbed our noses at the village people. It doesn’t matter who the opposition are or where the venue is, nothing beats a last minute winner. Christmas had been saved.

I’ve refrained from naming any players in deference to our management team who adhere to the Brendan Rodgers school of thought in that it’s all about the collective, the group. If you don’t want to buy in, then, as has been the case for one high profile combatant, you can pack up your old kit bag and, not to put too fine a point on it, sling your hook. The rest of us are on board and looking forward to the trip to Broomhedge, motivated and focused.