The Newry City AFC Academy was in full swing last weekend with all teams in action.

Newry City AFC U9s had some excellent performances against Brookvale and Windmill, with goals coming from Danny, Dan, Ben, Arthur, Fionn, Jacob and Darragh.

Newry City AFC u11 v Lisburn Rangers Boys at Downshire Young Mens FC

Goal scores – Noah Kearns x 3, Karol Oleszczuk x 1, Deaglàn Finnegan x 1

A determined display from Newry City u11s against a strong Lisburn Rangers team. After a hard fought 15 mins, Newry broke the deadlock with a well worked goal but unfortunately conceded 2 goals in the space of 2 minutes to go into the break 2-1 down. The Second half was a more dominant display by Newry & they soon scored an equaliser from a corner. Lisburn soon took the lead after a cross/shot landed in the far top corner. Newry dug in deep again & scored 3 great team goals to make it 5-3. Although Lisburn scored again in injury time to make it 5-4 – Newry held on for a deserved victory.

Man of the match – Noah Kearns. Other stand out performers – Max McKeown & Rio Carroll in defence along with Karol Oleszczuk in midfield.

Noah Turley (GK), Lorcan Haughey, Harry Owens, Max McKeown, Rio Carroll, Karol Oleszczuk (Captain), Deaglàn Finnegan, Rhys Hempkin, Daìthi Gorman, Noah Kearns, Daniel Drumm

Next game: Glendowan 2015 v NCAFC U11 Lisburn Rec 1B (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO10am

Newry City AFC u12 vs Warrenpoint u12

Newry started strongly with Joe Rafferty scoring from distance to put us 1-0 up. The lead didn’t last long with Warrenpoint matching Newry with their own long-range effort to make the score 1-1 going into half time.

Work rate and pressing was the key in the second half with Jude Hegarty winning the ball high up the pitch and slotting it past the keeper to put Newry 2-1 up. A last-minute free kick for Warrenpoint made the final score level at 2-2.

Oxford Sunnyside Vs Newry City U14

Goal scorer: Liam Connolly X2

What seems to be another tough result from the outside was actually another step in the right direction for this newly formed team.

A bright start to the game should have seen Newry City take the lead, but a good chance missed was the story of the first half for Newry and this was the opposite case for Oxford Sunnyside who took advantage of some slack defending and indecision on Newry’s behalf to make the most of their chances and go into the half time break with a 4-2 lead.

More of the same in the second half saw Oxford Sunnyside run out 8-2 winners on the day but the score line doesn’t tell the full story of the game. Newry battled hard and had good periods in the second half but just couldn’t get the goals their play at times deserved. Any mistake was punished by Oxford Sunnyside and they ran out clear winners.

Special mention on the day to Newry City players, Liam Connolly, Harry Bingham and Odhran Carville.

Team: Darren Devlin, Declan Doran, Shea Byrne, Karl Pentony, JJ McClelland, Harry Bingham, Aron Kavanagh, Diarmuid Hartigan, Liam Connolly, Odhran Carville, Ryan McCartan-Turley, Adam McSherry, Charlie O’Hanlon, Noah O’Hare, Dyan Bradley.

Next game: Hillsborough Boys 2011 Colts L v NCAFC U14 Wallace Park – Pitch 3 (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO9.30am

Newry City AFC U15 had a great result against Warrenpoint Saturday 7/9/24 in Dromore coming out as winners. All of our lads played great football from start to finish and worked their socks off on a very warm day.

Goals from: Jacob Toner, Ross Lavelle X2, Jamie Daniels X2, Lee Clark. Assists from: Mathieu Kavanagh X2, Eoin Taylor and Ronan McCann

Next game: Lisburn Distillery Juniors 2010s v Newry City U15 Wallace Park – Pitch 3 (Lisburn) 14/09/2024 KO9.30am

Newry City AFC U16 v Ballinamallard United U16

After a tight first half with little to go off for both sides, Ballinamallard struck 10 minutes from half from a corner but 5 minutes later Newry struck the bar from close range after some brilliant 1 touch football breaking through Ballinamallard lines to create a great chance to equalise. In the second half Ballinamallard struck early to double there lead and soon after they caught Newry on the break to make it 3, and 10 minutes later Ballinamallard made it 4 from another break, 3 minutes from time after some good play from Newry on the right side, we won a penalty and got our consolation from Adam Strain from the spot.

Next game: NIFL U16 Academy league vs Larne Inver Park 14/09/24 10.30 kick off

Newry City AFC U18 – Even though the 18s suffered their third defeat on Friday evening, there were a lot more positives than negatives. This newly formed and young squad, most of whom will be u18 again next season suffered a defeat away to an older and physically stronger Ballinamallard outfit. Manager, Chris craven and head coach, Gerry Spain are excited about how this squad will develop over the next six months on the basis of some of the football the boys produced throughout the game. All three goals conceded were avoidable as the boys gain experience and learn how to deal with set pieces which have been costly in the first three games. There is also a requirement to improve fitness levels as they adapt to playing at this level of intensity. Some players suffering with cramp towards the end of the game. Newry conceded two goals halfway through the first half but reduced the deficit straight after half time with Leo Snodden being rewarded for showing great persistence in putting the Ballinamallard under pressure and forcing a number of defensive errors before finding the net for his and indeed the team’s first goal of the season to make it 2-1. Another soft goal half way through the second half killed the game but the players showed great attitude by working hard right to the end. With the great attitude and application of the players, hopefully the first win of the season is not too far away.

Next game: Larne Youth v NCAFC U18 Larne Academy of Sport 3G (Larne) 13/09/2024 KO8pm

Newry City AFC U21s travelled to play Ards FC on Saturday

A game that took place on a small and narrow pitch was well contested in the early going. Newry worked the wings well and went 1-0 up through Keelan McEvoy. Keelan scored his first goal for the club. A tight 15 minutes seen Newry lead at HT 1-0. Adam Heaney was forced off due to injury at HT through a harsh tackle.

With personnel changes at the break, Newry has control of the game until Ards scored a corner kick midway through the second half. Ards added a second and third goal in quick succession towards the end to take all 3 points.

A tough result for Newry’s young 21s team as they felt they had the holding of the game for long periods.

Squad: Calum O’Reilly, Adam Heaney, Pierce Patterson, Shane McParland, Rory O’Connor, Adam Dorans, Lee Fallon, Charlie McGrath, Keelan McEvoy, Daniel O’Sullivan, Jack Deery, Kyle Harte, Louis Crilly, Eoghan Hickey, Jude Whitten, Karl Woods.

The Newry City AFC Academy was in full swing last weekend with all teams in action.

Our newly formed Under 9 team enjoyed friendly games against Midway United.

The goal scorers throughout the games were: Danny King, Dan Kernan, Zachary McCormack, Jacob Maguire, Odhran Holyoake, Darragh O’Neill and Cayden McSherry.

The NCAFC U11 GDC team were in action and finished up an exciting game against Damolly with a 3-3 scoreline.

While the NCAFC U11 Lisburn League team had a win over Lisburn Youth 2014 colts. The lads started the game slow just finding their feet in opening 10 /15 minutes, Newry found the net first and then it didn’t take long for Lisburn to find the equaliser. This kicked the Newry lads into action and scored a couple goals to get into the driving seat. The NCAFC Man of the Match was Rhys Hempkin who scored 4 goals in his first ever match for Newry City AFC.

The remaining goal scorers were: Karol Oleszczuk, Reuben Bentley-McKevitt, Harry Owens and Daithi Gorman.

Next game: Lisburn league u11 league – NCAFC vs Lisburn Rangers 11am Crewe Utd Ground Glenavy

NCAFC U12s had a great first half display, with Liam Bryson finding the net to put Newry 1-0 up going into the break. Newry had many chances in the second half to increase the lead, however Lisdrum defended well to keep the score at 1-0.
Next game: NCAFC vs Warrenpoint 12pm Sat 7th September at Milltown 3G SSG Pitch (Warrenpoint)

NCAFC U14s had a tough first league game against ACFC Eagles U14s. Their standout performer was JJ McClelland who stayed composed and solid at CB (a new position) in a very challenging match.

Next game: NCAFC v Oxford Sunnyside 2011 Dynamos KO 11am at Ballymacoss 1 (Lisburn)

Newry City AFC U15s travelled to play Valley Rangers on Friday and played well on the night, the team worked very hard and very unlucky to not come away with something.

Goals from Jamie Franks and Lee Clark, Matthew Kavanagh with the 2 assists. There were several stand out players but MOTM would go to Matthew Kavanagh with 2 lovely balls in to get the NCAFC goals.

Next game: NCAFC U15 v Warrenpoint 07/09/2024 at Ferris Park Dromore KO 11am

Newry City AFC U16s: After a tight first half Dungannon took the lead 5 minutes from half time with a penalty, after a good start from Newry in second half Dungannon caught us in transition to make it 2-0, shortly after the restart Dungannon turned the ball over, won a corner kick and with a free man made it 3 and put the game to bed.

Next game: NIFL U16 Academy League, NCAFC U16s vs Ballinamallard 07/09/24 11am KO at Devenish College 3G.

NIFL U18 Academy League Ballinamallard Vs Newry U18s 06/09/24 8pm KO Venue: Fisher Park

NIFL Championship U21 Development League: Newington U21 1-3 Newry City AFC U21

NIFL Academy League U18: Cliftonville Strollers 6-0 Newry City AFC U18

NIFL Academy League U16: Cliftonville U16 12-0 Newry City AFC U16

Team in Focus: Newry City AFC U21s

The U21s got their season off to a positive start with a win over Newington at Valley Leisure Centre on Saturday morning.

The first few minutes of the game was cagey. Both teams tried to wrestle control of the ball. Newry came out the better and started to move the ball well and open up Newington’s back line. With the first worked attack the ball was played down the left for Darragh McParland to play Daniel O’Sullivan in on goal, the Newington goalkeeper made a great point blank save. Jack Deery was first on the scene to head home to give Newry a 1-0 lead with 3 minutes played.

Newington fought well and managed to equalise on the 13th minute when Newry’s Rory O’Connor was fouled on the ball. However, the referee waved play on and Newington found themselves back in the game.

Newry continued to create chances, with control of the ball and game. Only for Newington’s Goalkeeper, who had a phenomenal game. Newry would have found themselves out of sight.

Lee Fallon, played a clipped ball over the top of the defence to Jack Deery, who calmly controlled the ball under pressure and rolled it across the box for Daniel O’Sullivan to make it 2-1 to Newry.

Half Time 2-1 Newry.

The game was well controlled again by Newry in the second half and again only for Newington’s goalkeeper the game would have been out of sight.

2 penalties were awarded to Newry in the second half after great play into the box. Daniel O’Sullivan had his penalty pulled from the corner by the brilliant Newington goalkeeper.

In the dying moments of the game, Daniel with great courage took penalty number two to make it 3-1 to Newry.

A game well controlled by Newry and on another day, it could have been a more comfortable ride.

Full Time 3-1 Newry.

Team List; Calum O’Reilly, Adam Heaney, Pierce Patterson, Darragh Cluskey, Eoghan Hickey, Louis Crilly, Rory O’Connor, Evan McEnteggart, Kyle Harte, Adam Doran’s, Lee Fallon, Jude Whitten, Karl Woods, Keelan McEvoy, Jack Deery, Daniel O’Sullivan, Darragh McParland

Debuts made for Newry from;

Jack Deery, Darragh McParland, Lee Fallon, Adam Dorans, Adam Heaney and Keelan McEvoy.

Next up the U21s welcome Ballyclare Comrades to The Showgrounds on Monday 2nd September KO 7.45pm.

Newry City AFC U18s