Category: News

Newry U14 3- 2 Killowen U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry City played their first league match of the year away to Killowen Celtic. Both teams played an open entertaining game in a very sporting manner and it was Newry that started out of the blocks the quickest when Matthew McGinn slipped a neat pass that split the Killowen defence allowing Sean Mc Conville to slide the ball past the keeper. Things got better for Newry 10 minutes later when Tiarnan Murphy played a looped ball over the head of the Killowen back line for Tiernan O’Reilly to side foot past the on rushing keeper making it 2-0 to Newry.

The remainder of the half saw Killowen play a number of long balls in on top Newry’s defence but were unable to really trouble the away team’s goalkeeper.

The second half started with Killowen playing more ground football and a number of attacks nearly paid off only for the sharpness of the Newry defence and stand in keeper Nathan Crudden who put the keepers jersey on due to the regular keeper being injured.

From a quick break away the Newry forwards caught Killowen standing still at the back and were nearly in for their third goal only for a foul on Tiernan Reilly. Tiarnan Murphy played an excellent cross in from the resulting free kick which fell to Joseph Connolly who turned his marker and slotted into the net to make it 3-0!!

Although 3 nil down, Killowen never gave up and were rewarded soon after with a penalty. The resulting kick hit the post but Newry were not quick enough to the rebound and Killowen scored to make it 3-1.

The last 10 minutes were played at a frantic pace and again Killowen were rewarded with quick thinking and slid a ball through to make it 3-2! A tense final few minutes followed but Newry held out for a win!
It was great to see both teams giving their all and Killowen can take heart from a good team effort and will cause many teams problems as the league continues. Newry had many good individual performances on the day but overall it was team work that won this match. Hopefully we can bring this forward to our next game but in the end it was a great start to the league campaign!!

Johnston nets late winner for City

Photo above: Graeme Edgar receives his Man of the Match award from City Assistant Manager Ray Byrne

 

By Laura Hillen

Newry City gave a much improved display on Friday night to ease past Banbridge Rangers in the 1st round of the Mid Ulster Cup.  On the front foot from the first whistle Newry had enough chances to have enjoyed a much more comfortable evening but in the end had ace goal scorer Keith Johnston to thank for a late winner.

Mark Lowry
Mark Lowry netted his 8th goal of the season

The home side got off to the best possible start with Mark Lowry scoring after 7 minutes. With Rangers playing with a high back line they were susceptible to a long ball over the top to the fast Newry forwards and it wasn’t long until Newry took advantage, Ian Curran pitching a ball into the opposing half which Chris Fay latched onto. Unopposed, Fay took the ball to the end line before firing in a low cross which was met by Lowry at the back post, Lowry deflecting the ball to the net for his 8th goal of the season.

Conversely Graeme Edgar has yet to score for Newry and on the half hour mark it looked as if he was going to break his duck. From left back Edgar went on a marauding run skipping past a few challenges before laying the ball to the feet of centre forward Sean McMullan. McMullan back heeled to Ryan Quinn who in turn laid the ball into the path of Edgar who had continued his run into the box. Now with only the keeper to beat Edgar attempted to curl his shot to the far post alas pulling his effort into the keeper’s body.

For their part Banbridge Rangers rarely looked like getting past the Newry defence and with Peter Murphy looking assured under any high crosses the home goal was rarely threatened in the first half.

Newry continued to push forward in their attempt to add to the one goal lead. On 44 minutes it was the turn of Niall Crilly to use his pace to get behind the Banbridge defence. Faced with that high defensive line Crilly knocked the ball past the last defender before regaining possession and flashing in a low cross which was just out of the reach of the sliding Johnston. And Johnston was to have another chance before half time. Jimmy Walker, who looked back to his best in midfield knocked the ball wide to Lowry who took a touch before crossing to Johnston, the Newry man unable to get enough power into his header to beat McMinn in the Rangers goal.

Straight from the restart Newry created another great chance and again it was Walker finding Lowry who pulled his cross back to Johnston unmarked on the edge of the 6 yard box, the striker unable to find the target with his effort.

At this point the game began to open up with chances coming thick and fast. On the hour mark Banbridge almost equalized when a long ball caught the Newry defence flat with Cousins left with a free run on the Newry goal. Murphy committed himself to come from his line to narrow the shooting angle, his decision vindicated when Cousins effort hit the Newry side netting. At the other end it was the Banbridge defence turn to be caught flat when a long pass from Chris McMahon placed Lowry with a run on goal, the ball however bouncing high causing him to lash his shot well wide. Rangers were threatening to equalize and looked likely to score on 65 minutes only for a last ditch tackle from Edgar saving the moment for Newry. However the escape was short lived as minutes later Rangers winger Frazer took the ball down the left wing and rolled a pass into the path of Andy Mallen, who’s perfectly struck low shot from the edge of the box gave Murphy little chance as it flashed past him into the back of the Newry goal.

The home side’s reaction to being pegged back will have pleased manager Darren Mullen. Walker who was unflappable in possession, linked up again with Lowry, who swung in a high cross from which Barr challenged, the ball falling to Fay at the back post but the winger was unfortunate to see his shot deflected wide.

Keith Johnston grabbed the winner on Friday night
Keith Johnston grabbed a late winner

Newry continued to press and with 10 minutes left goal-getter Barr almost grabbed the winner. Lowry showed great endeavour to chase a long ball which forced a mistake from a Banbridge defender as he tried to shepherd the ball out, the ball falling to Barr inside the box and with everyone expecting a shot across goal, Barr blasted to the near top corner, McMinn showing great reflexes to palm the shot wide. Rangers again relied on McMinn to deny Lowry after he was set free on goal by a fabulous diagonal ball from Edgar which landed perfectly at the Newry mans feet on the right corner of the box, McMinn blocking Lowry’s shot with his legs. However, Lowry was not to be denied. With minutes left he was again released by a perfect long pass from McMahon and while Lowry appeared to be fouled inside the box in the act of shooting the loose ball fell to Walker on the edge of the box. Composed as ever the Newry playmaker slipped a through ball to Johnston who got just reward for his evenings endeavour as he clinically slid the ball past McMinn to win the game for Newry.

Newry manager Mullen was clearly content with the win, “We started the game at a great tempo and should have had the game wrapped up at half time. Offensively we were good and looked very solid at the back. We should have doubled the lead straight after the break and had other chances to extend the lead. But then we let Banbridge back into it and while we could have felt sorry for ourselves the lads dug deep and we ran out worthy winners with all 14 players deserving praise in what was a good win”.

Man of the Match: Graeme Edgar

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, McMahon, Curran, Edgar, Quinn, Walker, Fay, McMullan, Lowry, Johnston Subs Brilly, Durnin, Barr, Campbell, Davison.

Last Man Standing Round 4 results

Just the one faller this week folks, which leaves us with six remaining going into round 5.

Name Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
1 Chris Fay Liverpool Chelsea Swansea Man Utd
2 Mark Patton Arsenal Chelsea Swansea Man Utd
3 Teresa Lennnon Chelsea Spurs Swansea Man Utd
4 Raime Woods Arsenal Chelsea Aston Villa Man Utd
5 Camillus Fitzpatrick Arsenal Chelsea Aston Villa Man Utd
6 John Prentice Liverpool Swansea Aston Villa Everton
ELIMINATED
1 Rachel McClymont Man City West Ham Aston Villa Liverpool

Canal Court Hotel new Main Club Sponsor

Photo: Newry City AFC Captain Chris McMahon, First Team Manager Darren Mullen and Vice-Chairman Eric Wilson are pictured here with Gemma Adams from The Canal Court Hotel

Newry City AFC is delighted to welcome The Canal Court Hotel as its new Main Club Sponsor. The Club has agreed a three year deal with the City Centre based Hotel.

Newry First Team Manager Darren Mullen said: “This is a tremendous boost for the club and shows the progress we are making, both on and off the field. To have The Canal Court back on board as our main sponsor gives us stability over the next three years.

canal-court-hotel-newry_010720090837144643
The Canal Court Hotel

“Winning the league last year in our first season has given us some credibility and that has been recognised with this deal. Hopefully we will continue to see success over the next three years and we thank The Canal Court for the faith they are showing in us.

“I would also like to thank Gerard and Siobhan Rice from Around A Pound who were the first main sponsors of the newly reformed club. They stepped forward at a difficult time for the club,which was greatly appreciated, and thankfully they have agreed to remain on board as one of the club sponsors.”

John McParland from the Canal Court Hotel sent us this message: “The Canal Court Hotel are delighted to be proud sponsors of Newry City Athletic Football Club. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all involved huge success in the forthcoming season from John & Paddy McParland and All Management & Staff in The Canal Court Hotel”.

For more information about the Canal Court Hotel or to book a room, you can visit their website at: www.canalcourthotel.com

City bow out of Bob Radcliffe Cup

by Laura Hillen

Newry City bowed out of this seasons Bob Radcliffe Cup with a tame display against Fivemiletown at The Showgrounds on Saturday. For the home fans an instantly forgettable game, low on quality and entertainment from start to finish, in which the home side enjoyed lots of possession but rarely threatened to score and were ultimately beaten by a late breakaway goal. Newry manager Darren Mullen, however, may not forget the game quickly and will be sure to ask some hard questions off his players before Friday night’s game at home to Banbridge Rangers. The home display was encapsulated by the happenings in the first few moments of the game, Fivemiletown kicking off and attacking straight down the centre of the field, the ball getting as far as the home penalty spot before Newry decided to put in a decent challenge with Ian Curran clearing the danger. The rest of the half was slow and repetitive with lots of tidy passing but little by way of any inventiveness which looked like unlocking an away team who were content to sit back and allow Newry to have possession away from the danger zone. Indeed Newry only threatened the Fivemiletown goal once in the first half and that took until the half hour mark. Keith Johnston, who looked lively throughout without getting the service he required came short for a free kick which he in turn laid back to Chris McMahon. McMahon, who was filling in at left back made ground to the edge of the penalty area before firing in a low shot which was well held by Crawford in the away goal with both Neil Barr and Johnston waiting for any rebound.

Newry began the second half as if they meant business creating a good chance almost immediately Kenny Kearns linking up with Chris Fay to give himself a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box, Kearns going for precision with his attempt to guide the ball into the top corner of the away net, Crawford doing well to tip the shot over for a corner.

For all Newry’s huffing and puffing Fivemiletown had a great chance to open the scoring on the hour mark when their centre forward Gillespie broke down the right wing riding several challenges before cutting back inside the Newry box where he was presented with an overload of options with 3 team mates available and only Newry’s McMahon to beat. Fortunately the Newry captain waited until Gillespie committed to a pass before intercepting the ball and clearing the danger.

In need of something different Newry introduced the mercurial Jimmy Walker into the centre of midfield and the playmaker started to create chances. First to benefit from the Walker introduction was Neil Barr who shot over when well placed just outside the box. Next up was Fay and he really should have scored. Again Walker was involved knocking a pass into the feat of Barr, the striker turning his marker and firing in a cross come shot to the back post which Fay got to, the ball however getting trapped in his feet before bundling wide. At the other end Gary Stewart had a great chance to score when he found himself unmarked inside the box. Fortunately for Newry Peter Murphy was quick to spot the danger and was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and was relieved to see Stewarts shot pass his far post. On 80 minutes Newry almost took the lead, Fay and Johnston linking well to find Walker just outside the box. Walker’s trickery made room for a shot low to the far post, Crawford once more coming to his sides rescue with a full length dive which enabled him to get his finger tips to divert the ball around the post for a corner.

As so often happens when a team with lots of possession fails to turn the advantage into goals any mistake at the other end is amplified and so in this game. On 82 minutes Fivemiletown took advantage of some sloppy play inside the home penalty area when an innocuous high ball was not cleared, the loose ball falling to a Fivemiletown attacker who looked sure to score only for Graeme Edgar to perform heroics to clear the ball off the line. Alas Edgar’s efforts were in vain as his clearance cannoned off the post and landed to the feet of Fivemiletowns Cluff who knocked the loose ball into the net.

Naturally the home side pressed forward for the remaining minutes with Fay, Walker and Josh Durnin going close but it was not to be and in a game where Newry deserved nothing they got nothing, manager Mullen now faced with shaking things up for Fridays Mid Ulster Cup tie at home under lights against Banbridge Rangers.

Speaking after the game the manager was well aware of what he needs to do, “This game was typical of how we have started the season. We had the lion’s share of possession but failed to use that to our advantage. The intensity of our play was not good enough and we will need to lift our game for Friday night. Another defensive lapse has cost us dearly and we need to make sure that we defend in the right manner for 90 minutes if we are going to be a success this season. The one benefit of the day was the debut of 17 year old Josh Durnin who played without fear and has a big future ahead of him at this club. We are missing a few players at the moment but it’s up to the other players to step up to the mark but that has to happen soon”

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, McMahon, Martin, Curran, Quinn, McMullan, Fay, Kearns, Barr, Johnston

Subs: Edgar, Durnin, Walker, Brilly, Lowry