Newry City manager Darren Mullen has bolstered his attacking options with the acquisition of striker Karl Moody from Malahide United.

The 25-year-old, who arrives at the Showgrounds after a seven year spell with the Leinster Senior League side, has signed until the end of the season and will add much needed fire-power to the Newry forward line.

“I’ve always said we would look to add to our attacking options in this window and Karl fits the bill in terms of what we are looking for,” said Darren Mullen.

“He has been training with us for the past month and has shown enough in that period to impress myself and the other coaching staff. He’s a player who is lively in the box and shoots on sight which is something we haven’t been doing much of this season. It will take a while for Karl to get used to us and visa versa but I’ve no doubt he will do well for us.

“I’d like to thank Ger Coughlan from Malahide Utd for his understanding in dealing with this transfer,” added Mullen.

Karl Moody said: “I am delighted and very excited to have signed for Newry City AFC. I’ve had a brilliant seven years at my previous club Malahide United but I’m ready for a new challenge ahead. The Newry lads have welcomed me with open arms over the past month and I can’t wait to get the head down in the new year and hopefully I can help my new teammates and staff to a successful 2019.

“A special thanks to Darren Mullen and Newry City AFC for giving me the chance to showcase my football at Premiership level at such a big club.”

Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography. 

Newry City AFC are pleased to welcome Vinny Arkins to the Club as the new Forwards Coach. Manager Darren Mullen commented “I’m delighted to have someone of Vinny’s stature and experience involved with the club. We already have a super backroom team in place with Ramy, Micky, Jervis and Gary but Vinny will add something different in an area where we need to improve on. Our forwards can only benefit from listening to someone who was one of the best strikers ever to play in this league. I know he’s excited to be involved and it’s another positive step for the club.”

Vinny Arkins “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to help out at Newry City AFC, the story of Newry’s rise through the leagues has been fantastic and I would love to help Newry consolidate a strong position in the Danske Bank Premiership where they belong. Newry already have a brilliant coaching team in place and personally it will be great for me to hook up with Mickey Keenan and Raymond Byrne again. I would also like to thank the club and especially Darren for asking me to help out. I am really looking forward to getting started with the team.”

Cover photo: Ray Byrne, Vinny Arkins & Darren Mullen. Photograph Courtesy of Sean Donegan Photography.

The club has been informed by the NI Football League that our home game against Linfield FC scheduled to take place on Friday 14th December will be moved to a 1pm kick off on Saturday 15th December IF Linfield are involved in the League Cup Semi-Final on the preceding Tuesday, 11th December. This cannot be confirmed until Linfield play Portadown  FC in the Quarter Final on Tuesday 4th.

Newry City AFC would like to apologise to anyone inconvenienced by this potential change which is outside the control of the club.

Newry will hope to bounce back from Friday night’s 2-0 defeat to Institute this evening when they take on Warrenpoint Town in the quarter final of the Mid Ulster Cup at the Showgrounds, kicking off at 7:45pm.

City defender Darren King spoke of the importance of picking up a positive result in the local derby.

“We need to get the Institute game out of our system as we let ourselves and the supporters down on Friday night with an uncharacteristic home performance. Secondly, to ensure we progress in the cup and try to build up some momentum again. And finally to get a result in order to give the squad, coaching staff and supporters a lift as you always want to be on top in a local derby,” said King.

Third placed Coleraine had to settle for a point from this visit to Newry City as new boss Rodney McAree awaits his first win.
The Bannsiders almost moved in front after five minutes through Stephen Lowry who turned the ball against an upright after Ian Parkhill had knocked on a sliced Andy Coleman clearance.
However, the deadlock was broken in Newry’s favour on 19 minutes when a free-kick was whipped into the area for Declan Carville to head home into the top corner.
In attempt to get back into the game Coleraine saw efforts from Ciaron Harkin and Darren McCauley dealt with while Parkhill saw a ball driven across the face of goal before going wide.
McCauley then clipped the top of the crossbar before, on 57 minutes, Parkhill split the Newry defence with a fantastic through ball for Aaron Burns to make no mistake with a clinical finish.
Chasing all three points, McAree’s side could have edged in front after Jamie McGonigle raced clear but Coleman did well to deal with the threat.
And Newry might have regained the advantage later in the half only for Darragh Noonan to strike the woodwork before the ball fell to safety.
Then, towards the end, Coleman pulled off a series of stops in quick succession to deny James McLaughlin and Lowry.

BBC Sport NI coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45694918

Newry City: Coleman, King, Noonan, Boyle, McCann, Walker, Carville, S. Hughes, M. Hughes, Lavery, Montgomery subs Maguire (not used), McCabe (not used), Johnston (not used), Delaney (replaced King 86), Teggart (not used), McArdle (not used), Mullen (not used).

Coleraine: Johns, Mullan, Harkin, McCauley, Lowry, Crown, Burns, O’Donnell, Parkhill, McGonigle, Canning subs Doherty (not used), Douglas (not used), McLaughlin (replaced Parkhill 77), McConaghie (not used), Gawne (not used), Owens (not used)

Referee: Tony Clarke
Attendance: 495