Work never stops for a manager as Darren Mullen continues to build his squad for next season by securing the signature of Stefan Lavery for another year.

Mullen commented “Stefan will be the first to admit that his ankle injury hampered him last season but he still showed enough quality to ensure that we wanted to retain his services. He’s a player with a wealth of experience and fitted in extremely well to our group last season so I’m delighted he has agreed to sign a new deal. I’ve no doubt he will prove his quality again this year.”

Stefan Lavery “I’m delighted to have signed again at The Showgrounds, from the minute I put on a Newry City jersey the support and backing from the club and fans has been great, so it was an easy decision!

The squad of players Darren has retained shows the determination to get back up into the Premier League and I look forward to being part of that and I know I speak for all the players that we will work hard to ensure Newry City hit the ground running come the start of the season.”

Tonight Newry Manager Darren Mullen announced his first new signing for the 2019/20 season as he welcomed Stevie Moan to The Showgrounds. “After securing most of our players for next season it was vital that we then started adding to it. Stevie comes to us not only with a wealth of Premiership experience but also having won The Championship before so he’s a great signing for us. He can play anywhere in midfield or across the back line and I’ve no doubt he will prove an excellent addition to the squad. I know it wasn’t an easy decision for him but the fact that he’s a Newry lad will help and I’m delighted he has agreed to join us.”

Stevie commented “It’s a great honour joining a club with so much history. When Darren first approached me about signing for Newry straight away I was very interested and knew that it would be a club where I would have a future. Newry has been such a big club over the years and is now a club that wants to push on again. Darren has set his sights on returning to the Premiership and I’m delighted to be on board and am determined be a help in achieving this. It was a very difficult decision leaving Warrenpoint, a club that I have been a part of for so many years but time moves on, it was time for a change and where better than my home town team. From the moment Darren first approached me and having talked to him since I knew it could be an exciting year. Apart from last season the lads here have had great success and in the future with the players we have I’m sure we can regain that winning habit and that’s something I want to be a big part off. I am determined to repay the faith Darren has shown in me and get Newry back into the Premiership.”

Cover photo Stevie Moan pictured with Assistant Manager Jervis McCaul, courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

Next season at The Showgrounds won’t be the same without one of the men who was instrumental in the club’s resurrection as Ray Byrne steps down from his Assistant Management role. However, he was much more than that, the same unflappable attitude whether things were going well or not so good, a kind word for everyone he met and still a mean footballer on the training field his influence went right through the club. Thankfully Ray has assured us that he will not be a stranger to The Showgrounds this season.

Ray Byrne “After 8 years of coaching I have decided to step down from my role as assistant manager. Thank you to the staff, volunteers and fans for their great support over the years. To all the players throughout the years, you have played a major part in the history of the club and I wish you all well with your careers.
To Darren and all the coaching staff throughout the club, a massive thank you. It has been a fantastic 8 years. Best of luck for this season I will be down supporting NCAFC.”

Newry Manager Darren Mullen commented “I’ve known for a while now that Ramy was considering stepping down so although it’s not a complete shock it’s still news that I didn’t want to hear. I’ve been mates with Byrnesy for nearly 35 years and we have come through a lot together at the club. We were defensive partners for the youth and reserve teams so it’s fair to say we know each other pretty well. He has played a huge part in our success of recent years and he will be missed not only by the other coaching staff but also the players. We haven’t always agreed on decisions but that’s the sign not only of a good assistant manager but also of a good friend. I understand his work commitments take precedence but he knows our changing room door is always open for him and I’m sure he will still be a regular visitor to The Showgrounds.”