Category: Uncategorized

Fans in focus: Jonny Lennon

Name: Jonny Lennon.

Age: 31.

How long have you supported Newry? Since i was about 15 or 16, only seems like yesterday!

How did you come about supporting the club? I used to always keep an eye on the scores in the paper after my dad took me to a few games, then a few fellas that i ran around with when i was younger started going to the games so i tagged along with them. Dan Dillon lived beside me as well and he used to encourage us to go to the games.

Your favourite ever player? That’s a question! I think it would have to be Jonny Kenny, he was unplayable most weeks and helped us get promoted to the top flight. A special mention must to go Mark Rutherford, Dessie Gorman and Gary McPhee among others!

Favourite current player? Another tough one! It’s hard to pick as we have a good squad there at present. I think at the minute my favourite current player is Jimmy Walker, he’s really comfortable on the ball and has bags of ability. Chris McMahon and Conor McCaul at the back would be up there too.

Best memory supporting the club? Promotion to the top flight was a great moment, as was our European adventure but overall i think appearing on Soccer A.M. has to be my best memory.

Funniest moment supporting the club? Eh, I’m not sure if there’s anything suitable enough to put on here with kids reading!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why? Mourneview Park, home of Glenavon has always been a favourite of mine, it’s a tidy little ground that has provided some great memories following the club. I like Ballymena United’s ground as well.

What is it you like most about following Newry? The fans. We may not have the biggest fan base in the league, but the ones who do go are a credit to the football club.

How many games have you been to this season? About 12.

Hopes for the future? Getting ourselves back where we belong in the top flight of Irish League Football and mixing it with the (ahem) “Big boys” again.

Fans in focus: Conor McEvoy

Name: Conor McEvoy.

Age: 26.

How long have you supported Newry? Since the 1999/2000 season.

How did you come about supporting the club? Through my mate Sean McKevitt.

Your favourite ever player? Mark Rutherford, Robbie Casey or Richie Clarke.

Favourite current player? Jimmy Walker.

Best memory supporting the club? Probably when we played Cliftonville away in the quarter finals of the CIS Cup. That game had everything. Poor refereeing decisions, penalties and late drama. After conceding a penalty in extra time I thought that Newry were going out. Then Cullen Feeney nicked one in the 120th minute to take the game to penalties. Newry scored their 5 penalties and so did Cliftonville to force sudden death. Darren King smashed his penalty home and I guess the tension was too much for the following Cliftonville player who sent his penalty into the roof of the stand behind. It was a great night.

Funniest moment supporting the club? I can’t remember exactly which year it was but I remember one year when Newry were playing Coleraine at the Showgrounds and to say there were a few rough tackles would be an understatement. We were standing behind the nets and I had turned to Sean and asked him “Does there ever be any fights between players at this level?” Sean’s reply was a rather subdued, “Na, not really.” Literally about 30 seconds later, we seen players and officials trying to break up some scuffle on the touchline so we took a run round and seen Roy McCreadie and Marty Quinn trying to knock each other out. Needless to say I was shouting abuse at Marty Quinn and laughing at him trying to fight.

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why? I always liked Mourneview Park in Lurgan, just thought it was a decent stadium.

How many games have you been to this season? About eight.

What is it you like most about following Newry? Newry is my local team and you always want to see them doing well and progressing.

Hopes for the future? Hopefully the lads can keep up this good form, stay top of the league and get promoted. I would love to see them back up in the Premiership again. A decent cup run/win would go down nicely too!

Fans in focus: Brian Ferris

Name: Brian Ferris.

Age: 62 years old.

How long have you supported Newry? The first ever game I was at was when I was seven, but I’ve been following the club seriously about 40 years now.

How did you come about supporting the club?  My Father and Billy Cartmill started taking me to games.

Your favourite ever player? The genius that is Ollie Ralph.

Favourite current player? Chris McMahon.

Best memory supporting the club? Winning the Co. Antrim Shield.

Funniest moment supporting the club? Getting told to get down off  a tin roof over the tannoy at the Showgrounds, a long time ago.

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why? Ferney Park, Ballinamallard. Always nice and friendly.

How many games have you been to this season? All so far except for away to Coleraine Reserves.

What is it you like most about following Newry? All the friends I’ve made at the Club, plus knowing it is 100% cross community.

Hopes for the future? Promotion back to where we belong, the Premiership.

Fans in focus: Kevin Ruddy

Name: Kevin Ruddy.

Age: 30.

How long have you supported Newry? I have been supporting Newry for the last 16 years and I hope for more to come.

How did you come about supporting the club? I started going to games with my cousin who is a life long Newry fan.

Your favourite ever player? My favourite ever player would have to be Stuart McLean, he gave everything on the pitch for the team.

Favourite current player? It would have to be Joel Annett. He is very similar to McLean, he gives his all for the team.

Best memory supporting the club? My best memory of supporting the club was the game against Distillery to win the 1998 First Division title.

Funniest moment supporting the club? My funniest moment at the club was when I done an interview for the match day programme and they called me the little drummer boy. I still can’t live that one down!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why? My favourite ground after the showgrounds would have to be Glenavon’s Mourneview Park.

What is it you like most about following Newry? I like to follow Newry as I am from the Town and I like their style of football, it’s easy on the eye. I also like the all round atmosphere at the club, which is why I am very proud to say I support the my local club.

Hopes for the future? My hopes for the future is that the club can get back to where it belongs in the top flight of Irish League football, passing Warrenpoint Town along the way.