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.”

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.