All together now, ‘We are going up, say we are going up!!’

Newry City has secured promotion to the NIFL Premiership, just six years after going out of business.

Darren Mullen’s men sealed a phenomenal fourth promotion in five seasons on Wednesday evening after defeating Carrick Rangers in the promotion/relegation play-off.

Newry led 3-2 from the first leg at the Showgrounds on Friday evening and followed that up with a stunning 3-1 victory in the away leg on Wednesday to seal the deal, winning 6-3 on aggregate.

Watch match highlights and post match reaction from Darren below courtesy of NCAFC TV.

NIFL have announced the following dates for the Premiership Promotion / Relegation Playoffs

First Leg
Friday 4 May 2018 (kick-off: 7.45pm) – to be played at ground of Championship club

Second Leg
Wednesday 9 May 2018 (kick-off: 7.45pm) – to be played at ground of Premiership club

Confirmed:
Championship: There will be no pre-playoff in the Bluefin Sport Championship between the second and third placed teams as Harland & Wolff Welders have not applied for a Championship licence to gain promotion to the Danske Bank Premiership.
Championship: Newry City will participate as the highest placed eligible club.

TBC:
Premiership: Carrick Rangers (11th) or Ballinamallard United (12th) – both sides level on points with one game left to play (on Saturday 28 April).

https://www.nifootballleague.com/danske-bank-premiership/news/item/ni-football-league-playoffs

Click below to listen to Manager Darren Mullens interview on QRadio with Kevin McAllister ahead of this weeks league game away to Loughall FC.

Not only was it a great result to get 3 points against Institute FC, Manager Darren Mullen was also delighted to give TJ Hughes his first team debut, “TJ has been doing very well for the U20s and had scored 2 that morning in their win so his debut was well deserved. Our squad is stretched very thin at the minute so we need the best young players at the club coming through and TJ is certainly one of those. He’s the 4th of the Hughes brothers to play for the first team and I’m sure it’s a day he won’t forget. What he needs to do now is keep working hard to make sure it’s not his last appearance.”

TJ commented “I was absolutely delighted that Darren gave me a chance and allow me to make my debut in such a big game. I can’t wait for the future and hopefully get some more playing time.”