Newry City AFC are delighted to announce six of the current first-team squad have agreed new deals to remain at The Showgrounds.

 

Club captain Darren King, who has made almost 450 appearances in the blue and white stripes, will be back for another season. He’ll be joined by fellow defenders, former Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern and Stephen Moan.

Ciaran O’Connor has also signed a new deal after signing permanently at the beginning of last season, while midfielders Georgie Poynton and Jordan Mooney are also back after their debut seasons with the club.

 

First team Manager Barry Gray says he’s delighted the six players have committed to the club for the 2024-25 season

“Going forward into the new season it’s so important we have a squad that’s strong and familiar. The lads that have re-signed are key players moving forward and certainly boast huge experience which will be vital.

“I’m pleased the lads have committed and speaking with each of them, I know they are extremely hungry and motivated to push standards and drive the team towards success again.”

 

Fan favourite and club legend King, 38, made his debut in 2005 and has played for the club 435 times across two spells.

“I’m delighted to sign another season with my club. I felt every bit of agony that our supporters felt last season as I’m a Newry supporter first and a player second,” said ‘Engine’

“After the disappointment of the past season and having some time off to rest and recuperate, the focus now has to be on working hard and getting back to enjoying football for players and supporters alike.  

“The last season we played in the Championship was one of the club’s best and most enjoyable in recent history, so let’s see if we can replicate that.”

 

34-year-old McGivern, who appeared for Manchester City in the Premier League and played for Hibs in the 2013 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic, made 24 appearances for Northern Ireland up until 2016 and joined Newry from Linfield in 2021.

“Newry is my hometown club which I love,” said the 34-year-old, who has made 90 appearances for City.

“Growing up as a kid going to watch the games at The Showgrounds, Newry were always a Premiership side and when I signed, the aim was to try and get the club back to the Premiership and stay there where it belongs. That’s the sole aim and focus for the season ahead.

“In my opinion, our fans are easily the best in the country. They stick with us through thick and thin and our aim this season is to give them a team to be proud of and hopefully something to celebrate come the end of the season.”

 

Attacking midfielder O’Connor will also be at The Showgrounds next season. He initially joined on loan for the first part of the 2022-23 campaign from Glentoran, before joining on a permanent deal at the start of last season.

“I’m delighted to extend my stay at Newry. The fans, staff and volunteers have made me feel so welcome since the day I walked in the door,” says the 27-year-old Dundalk native.

“Obviously we had a poor season last year, but we’re looking forward to a new challenge and a big push to get this club back to the Premiership where we belong.”

 

Experienced defender Stephen Moan will be aiming to add to 112 appearances in the forthcoming season after being forced to miss large spells of the last campaign through injury.

“It’s great to be extending my stay at Newry for another season and hopefully we can get the club back where it belongs,” says the 33-year-old local.

“It was a tough season last year, both club wise and personally for myself with injuries, so hopefully we can enjoy a successful season this year.”

 

Two players from south of the border, Georgie Poynton and Jordan Mooney, are also back for another year at least following their debut seasons with Newry.

Former Dundalk, Shelbourne and Drogheda player Poynton, 26, who can operate in either defence or midfield, made 39 appearances last term.

“I’m really happy to stay at Newry, it’s a good club with good people and fan base who supported us through tough times last season,” he says.

“This season it’s about giving the people something to cheer about and getting the club back to where it belongs.

“I’m really looking forward to a good preseason and hitting the ground running come August.”

 

21-year-old Mooney, found the net twice in 24 games last season and is looking forward to returning.  

“I’m delighted to be given another year at this great club,” he beamed.  

“Last season was extremely disappointing for everyone involved with the club and us players are the only ones that can put it right.

“That’s what we plan to do this coming season.”

Newry City AFC Manager Barry Gray is happy to finish off his January transfer business with the signing of Central Defensive Midfielder Alex O’Brien.

 

Gray commented “It is great to get another player on board. Alex is youthful and hungry to build his senior experience having spent the last four years at Bohemians FC Academy. He brings us much needed defensive cover and we look forward to getting hands on with him on the training pitch and hopefully soon on the main stage.”

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of Francis McCaffrey on a long-term deal.

 

Barry Gray commented “I am delighted to have Fra onboard, Fra is a highly respected Premiership player with a lot of experience. I believe this will be vital to us moving forward into the big head-to-head games.

 

“Fra will add depth and experience and having worked with him previously I know exactly what to expect from him. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch soon and have no doubt he’ll be a fans favourite.”

 

McCaffrey commented “The opportunity to play football in the Premiership again was too good to turn down. I’m happy to be here at Newry, it is a challenge that I am well up for and I can’t wait to get started. I know a lot of the lads and played against them all so I will fit right into squad.”

 

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Jamie McDonagh from Cliftonville on a loan deal until the end of the season.

 

Barry Gray commented “I am delighted to have secured the services of Jamie for the rest of the season, and I’d like to thank Cliftonville for their assistance also. As we build the team and look forward to putting together a fight to stay in premiership, I feel Jamie will really help us deliver on the pitch.

 

“Jamie is an experienced premiership footballer and his quality speaks for itself, obviously he has played for several very established teams and I’m confident that he will be a good fit for us moving into the remaining games. We look forward to getting him in and working as soon as possible.”

 

McDonagh commented “I am delighted to come to Newry, I am pleased that Barry has shown faith in me to sign me for the final 6 months of the season. Obviously I went to Glenavon earlier in the season to get my career back on track and unfortunately with the accident I had that didn’t work out, I now have the chance to do that at Newry and I am determined to use my time here both to get my career back on track to where I was at my pinnacle a few seasons ago and also to keep Newry in the Premiership. I think both of those things can go hand in hand and with the resources that we have here at the club that we can do that.

“I was at the match last week with Cliftonville and was able to watch the Newry performance and hear the backing that they got from the fans, I am sure we can put on more performances like that only with a better result and the fans will continue to be behind us. I am just looking forward to get going now.”

 

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Conor Mitchell from Dungannon Swifts on a long-term permanent deal.

 

The 27-year-old moves to The Showgrounds having worked under new Manager Barry Gray at Warrenpoint Town for the last two seasons before moving to Stangmore Park last Summer.

The former Northern Ireland Under-21 international began his career at Premier League side Burnley, a part of the Turf Moor club until 2019, when he returned home to sign for Linfield.

He then joined Larne, helping them secure European football and playing in the Irish Cup Final defeat to Linfield in 2021, before moving to Warrenpoint.

 

Speaking to the club’s media team, Mitchell said: “I’m delighted to be on board and really looking forward to getting started. My aim is to come in and add something to the group, both on and off the pitch, and I believe I can do that.

“I’m excited to work with Barry again. We both know what to expect from each other and the standards that are required so hopefully I can come in and deliver some strong performances and collectively we can start putting points on the board.”

 

Manager Barry Gray says he’s delighted to be working with Mitchell once again.

“It’s great to get Conor done and over the line, again another player I have worked with in the past and a player that has much experience in the Premiership.

“The goalkeeping department has been an area that we needed to strengthen, as we only have one senior keeper, so Conor will be a great addition and will provide us with much need depth and experience in that position. I’m really looking forward to working with Conor again.”

 

Mitchell will go straight into the first team squad for tomorrow’s Sports Direct Premiership match at home to Cliftonville (3pm).

 

Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.