Category: News

NCAFC Special Olympics Club successful at National Games

Ulster Special Olympics team were well represented by the Newry City AFC Special Olympics Club across Bowling, Football and Aquatics at the recent National Games held in Limerick from the 12th – 15th June, writes Esther King, Manager of the Newry City AFC Special Olympics Club.

Newry City AFC athletes that represented
Newry City AFC athletes proudly display the medals they won for Team Ulster at the National Games last weekend. Photo: Sean McKevitt

This event is one that should be witnessed by everyone – to see the dedication, hard work and participation by both athletes, coaches and volunteers. To get to an Ireland Games is a great achievement, never mind achieving a place on the podium. Some of our athletes had never been away from home before and that in itself is a great adventure and to be commended. Attendance at the games is the result of three years hard work by all, ensuring our athletes can give their best performance on the day. As the Special Olympics Ireland motto states – ‘Let me win, and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’.

In aquatics our swimmers were Margaret Hazley, Fraser Wells, Rebecca Devlin, Rachel Crossey, Rebecca O’Reilly and Jack Donnan. Between them they took home 2 golds, 5 silvers, a bronze and a 4th place. Our swimmers range in age from 10 to 64, and they all did an excellent job representing their club and region. They had stiff competition, but they all gave 100% and really enjoyed competing.

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Along with Lord Mayor Daire Hughes’ chain of office, Rachel Crossey wears her gold medal which she won for aquatics, at the recently held Special Olympic National Games in Limerick, while Jack Donnan proudly wears his silver medal for aquatics, won after a very close finish. Photo: Sean McKevitt

Footballers are awakening to the realisation, like so many other athletes, that they have achieved what is their personal goal. It has been three years in preparation and has now finally arrived. They are officially SPECIAL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL WINNERS! We had seven female athletes – Veronica Donnelly, Siofra Doyle, Betty McGeoghegan, Orlaith McParland, Katrina Magee, Shauna Murphy and Shauna O’Reilly, competing in ladies football as part of Team Ulster. Their exhibition both on and off the field was unbelievable. Their passion to compete and the desire to succeed was truly a humbling and an entertaining experience for the numerous supporters who had turned out to watch. Sunday 15th June 2014 is a date for many that shall not be forgotten. All those hours of hard training had finally paid off, our Ladies WON GOLD in the Division 2 final.

Noel Rice and Patrick Kelly were both gold medal winners in the Men’s level 4 five-a-side football and had an unbelievable 3 days of competition in Limerick. They were up against tough opposition from Munster, Leinster and Connaught but the two lads, along with their other teammates on the Ulster squad, held out in a nail biting final on Sunday to clinch the gold. All Noel and Patrick’s families were there to witness this great victory, bursting with pride and tears of joy.

Nicola McClorey and James Moffett both competed in Ten Pin Bowling in Limerick, along with 26 other athletes from across Ulster. They both bowled to a very high standard and both achieved their own personal goal by winning Gold medals in their respective singles games, and a team Silver in a very hard fought doubles game against seven other teams from all over Ireland.

Newry City AFC Special Olympic Coaches pictured with Lord Mayor Daire Hughes
Lord Mayor Daire Hughes is pictured here with the very proud coaches from the Newry City AFC Special Olympic Club who were part of Team Ulster at the Special Olympic National Games. Photo: Sean McKevitt

We had three Head Coaches who traveled with the Newry City AFC Special Olympic Club – Anne Magill (Ladies Football), Jim Fox (Men’s Football) and Esther King (Aquatics). Whilst none of the Newry AFC athletes were on Jim’s football team, he coached his team to a gold medal and the standard of his team in the final could have rivalled some of the current World Cup squads! Other club coaches that were part of Team Ulster were Helen McKee (Bowling), Darren Mcllherron (Aquatics), Marie Magee (Aquatics) and Teresa Devlin (Ladies Football). I have to say that everyone of the team was complimented on their behaviour and how they conducted themselves. Many people also commented on how organised we were as a group. We are so proud not only of representing Team Ulster at National Games but also that we, as Newry City AFC went to National Games representing our club, a club that has celebrated victorious wins in both it’s male and female teams. We can now stand proudly beside our entire club, without whose support, this dream for both our athletes and coaches may not have been realised.

A special thanks must go to BIG O – without him at our helm, then this achievement would not have been realised. If there were more Big O’s in this world, what a wonderful world it would be.

Yours in Sport,

Esther King
A very proud club manager of Newry City AFC Special Olympics Club

City announce four new signings

Photo above: City boss Darren Mullen welcomes two of the club’s new signings Keith Johnston and Paddy Magill to the club

Newry City has announced four new signings to the club ahead of the coming season. Strikers Keith Johnston and Sean McMullan have agreed terms to join the club from Orchard City and Warrenpoint Town respectively, left back Paddy Magill has signed from Camlough Rovers while the club have welcomed back experienced central defender Paul Donegan for a third spell at the club.

Speaking to newrycityafc.co.uk, City boss Darren Mullen expressed his delight at the new signings.

“All four lads bring quality and experience in abundance to the squad,” Darren said.

“Three of the lads have already won the Intermediate A league, the league that we will be competing in next season. It shows the progress we are making that we can attract these players to the club but we know the hard work starts in pre-season all over again.

“We already had a strong squad but it’s always good to bring fresh faces into the club. Sean and Keith both enjoyed great success playing together up front for Warrenpoint and I’ve no doubt they will continue that success with us.

“Paddy has been one of the best left backs around for the past five seasons and will give us strength down that left side. Paul has returned for his third spell with the club and brings a wealth of experience that we will need moving forward.

“We are still a very young developing team but these signings give us a great boost going into the new season.”

Newrycityafc.co.uk caught up with all four lads at the weekend to get their reactions to signing with the club:

Paul Donegan

doneganFirstly it’s great to back at Newry. I am very proud to play for my hometown club. Anyone who knows me, especially the ones I work close with on a daily basis will stand testament to this, I’m very fortunate to play for the team I support.

I think it’s great timing for both myself and the club. I’ve still a lot to offer on the pitch and it’ll be great to be back at Newry as a relatively more senior player. I also think the addition of myself, Mully, Jonsy and Paddy to what is already a strong team, can match any side at this level and bring Irish league football back to the Showgrounds where the club rightfully belongs!

I personally would like to win a few trophies this season. My most enjoyable season at Newry was the year we were in the Championship and won the Mid Ulster and Intermediate cups. I hope to emulate that in the coming seasons. These are the things as a player you can look back on with pride in later years.

Sean McMullan

seanmcmullanI’m delighted to have signed for such a great club. I intend to do my best to help push the club back to where it belongs in the Irish league.

It was a hard decision to leave my own club after 24 years playing at youth and senior level but I can honestly say that Newry is the only club I would have left Warrenpoint for.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a decent run of games so I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully the Newry supporters will take to me because the one thing I will always give is 100% when I take to the field! 

Keith Johnston

keithjI’m delighted to be back playing at the Showgrounds. I fully enjoyed my first spell at the club and I can’t wait get going again. With the quality in the squad there’s no reason why we can’t get promoted back into the Irish League. 

 

Paddy Magill

paddymagillI’m delighted to be back at the club and can’t wait to get playing. The Intermidate A league has some strong sides but with the strength in depth at Newry there’s no reason why we can’t win this league. I just can’t wait to get started.

Newry City AFC Evo Soccer Skills July Summer Scheme!

Due to the success of Newry City AFC Evo Soccer Skills Training weekly training sessions, details are nJuly Summer Campow out for the eagerly awaited Newry City AFC July Soccer Camp, delivered through professional coaching company Evo Soccer Skills.

The camp will be held at Newry Showgrounds and will run from Tuesday 15th July to Friday 18th July, 9.30am-1.30pm each day. The camp is open to boys and girls aged from 4-13 for the cost of £35 for four days (Family deals provided).

Speaking to Newrycityafc.co.uk Evo Soccer Skills Paul Evans stated “We are really looking forward to our July Summer Camp at the Showgrounds, our Monday night training sessions have been running really well as we have around 100 fantastic kids at the Abbey pitches every week. We have 12 well qualified coaches that work with the kids every Monday night doing enjoyable training drills with them to build their confidence and get them playing with a smile on their faces to push them in the right direction. Newry City AFC are starting to get a fantastic youth set up built up once again thanks to the hard work done by the Academy Head Conlon Morrison and his coaches, and we are eager to work with kids and help them develop to hopefully at some stage get into the Newry City AFC first team squad in the future.”

Bookings have already started due to high demand, so get booked in early. If you require further information contact Paul Evans UEFA B Coach on 07742349718.

Newry City AFC Youth Trials!

Newry City AFC are running trials this summer for all  youth teams for the 2014 – 2015 season from U12 year (2003) to U19 (1996).

The venue will be the Showgrounds back pitch at 6:30 to 8:00 pm on the nights specified below.

Under 12 (2003), Under 13 (2002) & Under 14 (2001) : The dates are: Monday 23rd June and  Wednesday 25th June.

Under 15 (2000) &  Under 16 (1999) : The dates are: Monday 30th June and Wednesday 2nd July.

Under 17 (1998), Under 18 (1997) & Under 19 (1996) : 18th June

If you have any queries contact Conlon Morrison on 07919592943.

AGM time change

**Please note the AGM will be held at 7PM and NOT 8pm as originally planned.

Paid up members of Newry City AFC are invited to the 1st Annual general meeting of the club. Please note that this meeting is not open to the public but confined to members of Newry City AFC only.
Date : Thursday 19th June 2014
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: The Club Rooms, Newry Showgrounds, Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry
Agenda to include: Chairman’s Report, Financial Report, Election of Committee, AOB