Newry U15’s played their first league game against Tandragee on Saturday last in Rathfriland. With a depleted squad due to a number of reasons Newry were to field with 10 players on this their first game in the Mid Ulster league. With the odds stacked against them Newry started strong and found themselves one goal up within 10 minutes. After some strong defensive play Newry again surprised their opponents by going 2 goals up with a fantastic long range effort. Tandragee pulled a goal back but Newry answered straight away going up field to add their third goal.

The second half started with Newry attacking from the kick off and it wasn’t long until they scored a fourth with some fine passing football. This really spurred the lads on and they added two more before the end to achieve a flattering 6-1 win in this their first venture in the Mid Ulster U-15 league.

With a mixture of new signings and established players the team really settled quick and it has showed that there will be great competition for places when those that missed Saturdays game return. Credit due to all who played their hearts out to achieve a remarkable result and showed great team spirit and effort. It must be said also that Tandragee showed great sportsmanship and we must thank them for a very sporting match and the best wishes from their Management and supporters to all the Newry lads at the end of the match.

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry kept their winning ways going with a very entertaining game against Annalong at the Showgrounds last Saturday morning.

Newry started well in this match and were 1-0 up after just 10 minutes. Sean McConville slotted home after some great work by Tiernan O’Reilly and Joe Connolly. This sprung Annalong into life and they played some fine football and were unlucky not to draw level but the Newry ‘keeper was at his best. Newry scored their second goal after some more fine play and Sean McConville was the scorer again after a great pass from Shea Morgan. Back came Annalong and they responded with a blistering shot from their number 8 who give the Newry ‘keeper no chance to make it 2-1 going into half time.

Newry really upped their game in the second half, in particular wingers Caolon Reavey and Tiernan O Reilly were having a great game. Up front Sean Mc Conville and Tiarnan Murphy were testing the Annalong ‘keeper at every opportunity and goal number three came after great work from Aidan Ovesen, who was having his best game in a Newry jersey, set McConville in for his third goal. Shortly after McConville was involved again when he was fouled and Newry were awarded a penalty. Tiarnan Murphy scored to make it 4 -1 to Newry and finish the match off.

Again this was a great team performance and credit must go to Annalong for a very sporting match and we look forward to taking part in their annual tournament later in the year.

A special mention goes to our forwards McConville and Murphy who between them have scored 8 goals in two games. Also the back line of Mc Ginn, Poucher , Ovesen and Murphy have really connected over the past number of weeks and will be a problem for any team. The midfield of Morgan, Connolly, Reavey and O’Reilly along with Mackrel have played some great football to aid the forward line.

With main striker Matthew Treanor out injured, the team have shown great character and Treanor will be a great addition to the team when fully fit. Also, our Keeper Keenan has shown great composure and gets stronger with every match.

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry played their return fixture with Camlough on Saturday last in what turned out to be a very entertaining game with some great football played by both teams.

Newry started the brightest and attacked the Camlough defence with some great passing football. Within 10 minutes they were rewarded when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Sean Mc Conville. Tiarnan Murphy, who was playing up front instead of the injured Matthew Treanor, hit the penalty kick against the underside of the crossbar but was first to the rebound and slotted past the ‘keeper to make it 1-0 to Newry. Right from the kick off Newry attacked again and Sean Mc Conville was quick off the mark after a clinical through ball from Shea Morgan to chip the keeper and make it 2-0. This was a good half for Newry which was rewarded with another goal when Tiarnan Murphy played in Tiernan O’Reilly to make it 3-0. Camlough pulled a goal back just before half time when a rasping shot caught Newry out and ended up in the net to make it 3-1 at the interval.

Camlough started the more confident team in the second half and soon had another goal back after another long range shot ended up in the back of the net. Newry began to panic a little and sure enough Camlough got another goal to make it 3-3. Game on! After some tactical changes Newry found their feet again and started to play some great passing football and reaped the rewards when Sean Mc Conville placed a beautiful shot over the Camlough keeper to make it 4-3. Soon after Tiernan O Reilly made it 5-3 before Camlough again replied with a 4th goal. After this it was end to end play from both teams but Newry finally sealed the victory when Tiarnan Murphy made it 6-4 and notched up his second hat-trick of the season with a well-placed free kick to calm the Newry nerves.

Credit most go to both teams for a highly entertaining match which was played in a great sporting manner. It was great for the Newry lads to get back to winning ways. This keeps them in contention for a high league placing at end of season. This was a great team effort and well done to all.