Newry City moved seven points clear at the top of the table with a resounding win over AFC Craigavon at The Showgrounds on Saturday. In a game which marked Newry manager Darren Mullen’s 100^th competitive game in charge five goals from the league’s top goal scorer Sean McMullan and one each from Keith Johnston and Neil Mullen completed a seven goal winning margin which could easily have been doubled were it not for the heroic effort’s of Craigavon goal keeper Martin Geoghan who produced a string of top class saves.

The first of these came after only two minutes when a Newry corner was cleared to the edge of the box from where Jimmy Walker curled a shot which was destined for the top corner of the Craigavon net only for Geoghan to dive full length to tip the ball around the post.

From the resulting short corner Geoghan was at it again this time to thwart a low drive from Kevin McArdle.  He was however unable to stop McMullan from opening the scoring with seven minutes gone, the big man composing himself after being tripped inside the box to earn his side a penalty which he calmly slotted past Geoghan to put Newry an early goal to the good. Such was Newrys dominance that in the next ten minutes they could very easily have been out of sight were it not for some wasteful finishing and more excellent goal keeping by Geoghan.

On ten minutes a flowing move down the Newry right wing ended with Mark Lowry finding McMullan inside the box. In turn he laid the ball into the path of Johnston who’s low shot from the left side of the box was blocked for a corner by the advancing Geoghan.  The danger had not gone however as the corner was cleared to the edge of the box from where Thomas McCann drilled a shot towards the top corner which needed another one handed diving save from Geoghan.  The visitors struggled to get out of their own half but held Newry until the half hour mark when Walker picked the ball up midway inside the Craigavon half, skipped past tackles and from 25 yards out forced Geoghan to push the ball around the post with another diving save. From the corner the pressure had to tell and again it was McMullan, nipping in front of Geoghan to help Ian Curran’s header over the line to put Newry 2-0 up at the break.

Newry started the second half as if they meant business, grabbing number three shortly after the restart. McCann surged forward from his own half before finding Walker.  Walker slipped the ball to McMullan who side stepped his marker before picking his spot in the bottom corner of the Craigavon net.

On 55 minutes Newry almost made it four, Johnston spotting that Geoghan was off his line and from some 40 yards out hit a dipping shot which cannoned off the junction of post and cross bar with the keeper beaten.  It was to be 4-0 however minutes later when McArdle swung a cross from the right wing straight onto the head of McMullan who planted his header back across Geoghan and into the Craigavon net for his and Newry’s fourth goal.

On the hour mark Geoghan was in action again, this time diving low to his right to stop a Paddy Mooney shot from the edge of the box and he followed this with an even better save from Walker after the Newry playmaker had got on the ball wide on the right, waltzed his way in field before curling a shot to the far post which Geoghan somehow got to to tip round his post.

The home support had to wait until the 83^rd minute for goal number five. With Craigavon unable to get out of their own half Neil Mullen stayed forward after a corner and was in the right place on the edge of the six yard box to turn a loose ball into the net to put the home side 5-0 up.

On 85 minutes it was six, from the right wing Mark Lowry pulled a low ball back across goal, Mark Patton helped it on and cleverly McMullan stepped over the ball allowing it to run out to the corner of the box where Johnston met it first time with a curling side foot shot high into the far top corner of the Craigavon net for a picture goal.

And there was still time for McMullan’s fifth, the returning Sean Hand marauding forward from defence before slipping a pass through the centre of the Craigavon defence which Patton diverted into the path of McMullan who with fleet of foot rounded the keeper and finished to the net to top of a comprehensive win for Newry.

Obviously content after the game Newry manager Darren Mullen was also not getting carried away  “ It’s not too often we will win a game 7-0 and still find room for plenty of improvement but that was the case in this game. We started well but were poor for the remainder of the first half. Our decision making, distribution and running off the ball wasn’t good enough and we made hard work off the amount of possession we had. The second half was a lot better and we ran out easy winners. The good thing is the players also know we can play a lot better especially with tougher games to come. Sean McMullan deserves a lot of credit for his five goals and is having a terrific season. His confidence is sky high and although he will admit he’s not the quickest anymore his speed of thought is a lesson for any young striker. The games will be coming thick and fast over the coming weeks but we are more than ready for the challenges ahead.’

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Mooney, Curran, Mullen, McMahon, Walker, McCann, McArdle, McMullan, Lowry, Johnston Subs: McCaul, Hand, Patton, McVerry, Edgar

Newry City’s next game is this Friday, 19^th February at home to Broomhill in an Intermediate League A fixture. Kick off 7:45pm 

Newry City were knocked out of this seasons Intermediate Cup on Saturday after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Championship 2 side Coagh Utd. Playing at the Tyrone venue Newry failed to capitalise on the very best of starts, going a goal up within the first few minutes, failed to convert a number of first half chances and were made to pay by two clinical finishes from their opponents.

However, Newry manager Darren Mullen was not overly concerned after the game preferring to look ahead at what he sees as more important fixtures to come “Although I don’t like getting beat it’s a result that won’t annoy me for too long. Considering we had seven players missing and I made further changes it was always going to be difficult against a Championship side. That said it’s a game we should have won and had numerous chances to add to our early goal. They were a physical experienced side and I thought we stood up well to the physical challenge which we didn’t do enough of last season. Young Andy Martin gave a very assured display in the centre of defence. Kevin McArdle had a very impressive debut and just needs more games to get the match fitness he needs. Keith Johnston also showed up well on his return to the team so there are positives to take from the game. That’s only our second defeat this season and both in cups that I hadn’t marked down as good opportunities for us to win silverware this season. The squad should look a lot stronger next Saturday and we look forward to the Ballyoran game”

Things looked good for Newry as early as the second minute when they benefited from pressing the Coagh team high up the pitch forcing the home keeper, Martin Farnick, to badly slice a clearance, the ball going straight to Keith Johnston who took his time to pick out Declan Carville arriving into the box, Carville side footing a first time shot into the back of the Coagh net to open the scoring. Debutant Kevin McArdle had been handed the difficult task of replacing the unavailable Thomas McCann in the Newry midfield but it was a role which came naturally to the experienced player. On 15 minutes inside his own half he received the ball from Graeme Edgar and drove straight for the Coagh goal skipping past challenges until a final tackle on the edge of the Coagh box from which McArdle attempted to stay on his feet when another player may have gone to ground, his shot when unbalanced not troubling Farnick. Coagh had offered little threat to the Newry goal, their most promising period of attacking play coming after 20 minutes when a ball which was swung across the Newry goal had to be carefully headed over his own cross bar by the covering Paddy Mooney. Play immediately moved to the other end, Mark Patton starting his first game after recovering from a knee operation, with his back to goal collected an Edgar throw in and immediately flicked the ball into the path of Carville who on the run drilled in a shot with his right foot, the ball always swinging the wrong side of the far post.

Newry had a great chance to double their advantage on the half hour mark. Again Edgar was involved, moving forward from his left back role to play the ball into the feet of Sean McMullan. With his first touch McMullan touched the ball back for McArdle arriving inside the penalty area, his low shot tipped onto the post by a diving save from Farnick. Coagh drew level on 38 minutes. With Newry players committed forward for a corner the ball broke favourably for the home side who swept forward in numbers in a passing movement which was eventually finished to the Newry net by Jason Gillespie who gave another Newry debutant, Jack McShane in goal, little chance to save. Newry had one more chance to score before half time, Johnston outpacing his marker to make room to cross, picking out McMullan on the penalty spot, his header beating Farnick but cleared off the Coagh line by a covering defender to leave the half time score level.

Against the early run of play in the second half Newry went a goal down on 50 minutes, the visitors failing to clear their lines and were punished by a low shot across the goal placed perfectly out of the reach of McShane. Newry looked to reply immediately, Patton spotting the run of Johnston who sped away from his markers, his final touch forward unfortunately just too far in front allowing Farnick to come of his line to kick the ball clear as Johnston bore down on goal. Newry were turning on the pressure with Mullen introducing Mark Lowry and Jimmy Walker to try and rescue the tie. Almost immediately Lowry got involved racing behind the Coagh defence onto a Chris McMahon pass, Lowry hitting a side foot volley across the face of goal only to be scrambled clear by the home defence. The ball however only travelled as far as Carville who picked it up mid way inside the Coagh half from where he made his way to the end line, his low cross cut out inside the small box by Farnick diving at the feet of the incoming McMullan.

Unfortunately that was to be the last goal scoring chance of a game, which had always been a little tempestuous with personal battles all over the pitch, and which finally turned against Newry in the last few minutes when the referee showed a red card to Carville after an aerial challenge with Gillespie.

And so Newry bowed out of the Intermediate Cup in a game in which they were best served by a couple of new players, young Andy Martin in the centre of defence and debutant Kevin McArdle in midfield and by some regular faces, Chris McMahon who played a captains role throughout and Keith Johnston who had the better of the home defence every time he got the ball.

Newry’s next match next Saturday is another cup tie when they travel to play Ballyoran in the Mid Ulster Marshall Cup, kick off 2pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge at 12:30.

Newry City AFC: McShane, Mooney, Curran, Martin, Edgar, McMahon, McArdle, Carville, McMullan, Patton, Johnston Subs: Walker, Lowry, Mullen, Wilson, Murphy.

Newry City AFC are pleased to welcome Kevin McArdle to the club.

Kevin was introduced to  the club by newly appointed club scout Robbie Casey, speaking to newrycityafc.co.uk Robbie commented “My first player in my new role with the club is the talented midfielder Kevin McArdle. Kevin will add a lot of experience to the current squad as he has previously played at Dundalk and was also an Irish international at u18 level.

He was playing at Rock Celtic last season but felt he needed to challenge himself at a higher level. He will certainly get that challenge Newry.

I wish Kevin all the best for rest of season and I’m sure he will add quality to what is a very strong squad at present.”

Newry Manager Darren Mullen added “I’m delighted to be signing someone of Kevin’s quality. When Robbie first mentioned his name I contacted coaching staff at Dundalk and other lads who have played with him. They all came back with positive news about Kevin both in terms of ability and attitude and all mentioned the word ‘quality’. He has been at Shelbourne and Dundalk so comes with plenty of experience. We have been doing well this season but that won’t stop me from making additions to the squad that I feel can take us onto the next level. Kevin can play in several positions and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Newry shirt.”

A point gained or two points lost was the discussion point amongst the Newry City fans after Friday night’s 1-1 draw against league title rivals Hanover at The Showgrounds. Having dominated the first half without grabbing an all important goal Newry were stung by a second half Hanover goal which looked as if it was going to be enough to seal the points for the Portadown side. That was until the final minutes when Newrys top goal scorer, Sean McMullan, weighed in with goal number 25 for the season to earn his side a share of the points and keep their unbeaten league record intact.

Although Newry left it late to equalize it was probably no more than they deserved after a first half which they controlled for long periods, carved out all the chances but crucially converted none.  Things did not start well for the home side losing Stephen McCabe to a muscle injury after only a few minutes and it took them until the 17^th minute to have a sight of goal. As ever methodical passing possession was the order of the day until centre half Conor McCaul burst out of defence, skipping past challenges bringing him to the edge of the Hanover box from where he tried his luck, Matthew Short in the Hanover goal deflected the shot away from his goal, McMullan the first to react to the rebound. With Short still on the ground McMullan looked sure to score but with the ball at the edge of his reach he was unable to get his shot on target, the ball hitting the Hanover side netting.

Minutes later and the big man had another chance. Decky Carville nodded a high ball down to Karl McVerry who picked out McMullan inside the box. With his back to goal McMullan turned his marker and shot high towards the roof of the net thwarted by Short who deflected the ball away from goal. Newry kept pushing forward. On 25 minutes Chris McMahon and McMullan combined to find Carville outside the box. Unselfishly he spotted the arrival of Jimmy Walker laying the ball into the path of his midfield partner which Walker drove low and wide of Short’s post.

On the half hour mark McMahon and McVerry exchanged passes on the Newry left, McMahon finding room to venture into the Hanover half where he picked out Walker in space. With time to pick his pass Walker spotted that McVerry had continued his run forward and pitched a ball over the defence which McVerry met at the same time as the outstretched hand of Hanover keeper Short, the custodian doing enough to block McVerry’s effort.

With Hanover finding it difficult to penetrate a steady Newry defence the home side finished the half with a series of half chances none of which troubled Short. On 35 minutes neat passing between McMullan, Walker and Thomas McCann ended with a McMullan cross to the near post which found Timmy Grant with a much too acute angle to get his volley on the run on target. McMullan was seeing a lot of the ball and created the next chance, receiving a throw in from McMahon near the end line. With much to do McMullan turned on a sixpence before poking  a low ball across the Hanover goal which the defence bundled clear with Grant hovering. And on the stroke of half time Carville crossed to McVerry at the back post, Hanover defender James Sergeant doing enough to deny McVerry a clean header.

The second half was minutes old when Newry got their first sight of goal when Walker had his jersey pulled on the edge of the Hanover box, referee David Berry awarding a free kick. Up stepped Walker to curl in a dipping shot which cannoned of Shorts crossbar, the rebound won in the air by McCaul who had his goal bound effort deflected wide.

The game was turned on its head on 55 minutes with a Hanover goal. Picking the ball up on the half way line Scott McCullough ghosted unchallenged past Newry players and from the corner of the box picked out Justin Bradley at the back post with a pin point cross which the Hanover centre forward headed firmly back across Peter Murphy to open the scoring.

Hanover were presented with a perfect chance to double their advantage  on 70 minutes when Bradley chased a ball into the Newry box getting there just before Murphy who took the Hanover man down with his outstretched arms, referee Berry pointing straight to the penalty spot. The home side were reprieved however when Regan McIlveen side footed the spot kick over the Newry cross bar.

Boosted by this let off Newry set about looking for the equalizing goal. First McVerry flashed a McMullan knock down wide, Graeme Edgar ventured forward from corner back to test Short low at his near post and then Carville tried a chip from inside the box, the ball alas beating both Short and his crossbar as it fell behind the goal.

However with time running out Newry played their get out of jail card. And as so often before this season that card was to be ace goal scorer McMullan. Having unsuccessfully tried several avenues to unpick the Hanover rear guard the ball fell to Newry playmaker Walker midway inside the Hanover half. Looking up Walker spotted the run of McMullan behind the defence and landed a perfectly flighted ball into the path of the striker. While his first effort was stopped by the legs of Short, McMullan was not to be denied getting quickly to his feet to shoot into the Hanover net despite Short getting a despairing hand to the ball for a goal which was met with frenzied celebrations from the Newry fans behind the nets and which ensured the match ended in stalemate.

After the game Newry manager Darren Mullen was perhaps the happier of the two managers “It was a game of mixed emotions to be honest. I’m disappointed we didn’t capitalise on the possession and chances we had in the first half but considering how the second half panned out I’m happy with the draw. We were missing 4 players and then to lose Giggsy early on meant we were missing some pace out of the team. But the 2 things we have learned from tonight is the benefit of a big squad and the never say die attitude that we have within this group of players. Hanover are a good side and I expect them to be in the mix at the end of the season but that said we are still unbeaten and are well equipped for the challenges ahead. There is a great spirit amongst this group of players and as per the coaching staff they certainly won’t settle for second best. Nothing good comes easy and whatever happens I can assure our fans we will give everything until the last ball is kicked this season.’

Newry City now have a break in league action, travelling to play Coagh Utd in the Intermediate Cup. With the game kicking off on Saturday @1:30, Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge @ 11:30.

Newry City: Murphy, Mooney, Curran, McCaul, McMahon, Walker, McCann, Carville, McMullan, Grant, McCabe. Subs: Patton, Edgar, McVerry, Martin, Wilson.