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

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce Damien Hillen as our new Newry City AFC Academy Director.

NCAFC Chairman Martin McLoughlin commented “The future of any club is its youth and in particular it’s Academy.  With a major project planned to install a new 3G facility behind our main pitch in the coming months we have decided to try a local angle for the academy and with that in mind we have recruited from within the first team coaching staff and are delighted to announce that Damien Hillen has agreed to take over the role of Academy Director. Damien comes with a wealth of experience and a great knowledge of the local soccer scene.
“We are excited for the future of our academy and look forward to building more locally sourced teams. In time we hope Newry City will be a hub for soccer and Damien we feel is the ideal candidate to help accomplish that goal.
“Our outgoing Academy Manager Francis Brennan has been instrumental in the building of our academy from its inception to what it is now and we thank him wholeheartedly for his efforts to date.  We wish Fra well in his coaching and soccer careers and look forward to welcoming him to The Showgrounds in the future.”

Damien Hillen commented “I am delighted to be appointed Academy Director at Newry City AFC. This is a significant role of real importance, and I look forward to building on the excellent foundations already in place.

“My focus is on making our Academy the number one choice for local players and their parents. We are building a culture of learning and development, where highly qualified coaches will provide a pathway for young players to progress into senior football at Newry or beyond.

“With the development of the new 3G pitch, it’s an exciting time to join the academy and together, we will create an environment where young talented players can flourish and achieve their full potential.”

Cover Photo: Chairman Martin McLoughlin and Vice Chairman Gary Wilson with Damien Hillen new NCAFC Academy Director.

Brendan Monaghan PhotographyPhotographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.