Category: Under 14’s

Newry City U14 1 – 4 Valley Rangers U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry suffered their second league defeat on Saturday last against a vibrant Valley Rangers side who were intent on avenging their 6-1 defeat to Newry earlier in the season. Newry were lucky to field a team on Saturday due to illness, holidays and non-show of players and had to field for most of the first half with 10 players which was to prove costly as Valley attacked from the start and went into a two goal lead within the first 10 minutes.

With the back line missing keys players, Valley took the opportunity to play long balls through on the defence which reaped rewards as Newry were caught out many times by the quick flowing football from Valley and particularly their centre forward who was having a great game.

Despite going down by two early goals, the 10 men kept going and were unlucky not to draw level on a number of occasions. Again that final touch was the difference between the teams.

The second half started more brightly for Newry and thanks to one of the U13 squad the team were able to field 11 players for the second half. They tried hard to get back into the game and had most of the play but were caught again by a quick break from Valley and fell behind by another goal. However this young team showed great spirit and got themselves back into the match after some great link up play from Joseph Connolly and Nathan Crudden and were awarded a penalty. Tiarnan Murphy made sure from the penalty kick to take advantage of the opportunity and coolly slotted the ball to the back of the net to make it 3-1. This drove Newry on and they were unlucky on a number of occasions not to score a few more goals. Following some fine link up play between Tiernan O’Reilly and Joseph Connolly, Tiarnan Murphy  was very unlucky with a run and shot that hit the post and Nathan Crudden also was very unlucky not to see his shot hit the back of the net after a great through ball by Caolan Reavey.

The game was decided by a questionable refereeing decision when Valley broke out of defence and played a through ball to their centre forward who looked to be offside. Despite the linesman flagging, the referee allowed play to continue and Valley scored their fourth goal which killed the game off.

Credit most go to a good performance by Valley Rangers who on the day took full advantage of a depleted Newry team. A special mention most go to the Newry team also, who despite a weakened squad give their all and played their part in a very entertaining game.

Newry City U14 latest match reports

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

 

Newry City U14 3-0 Ballyvea U14 –  Feb 7th

Newry had their first game since before Christmas away to Ballyvea in Kilkeel on Saturday Feb 7th.

The team were missing a number of regulars due to illness and were lucky to have the bare 11 players. This put extra pressure on some of the fringe players who stood up to the mark when called upon. Although played in extreme conditions, some great football was played and Newry eventually opened the scoring with a fine goal from some excellent play.

Ballyvea came more into the match after this goal but Newry stepped up a gear and added a second goal shortly after half-time and finished off a fine display with a third goal just before the end of the match to record another away victory. A well-deserved victory considering the circumstances.

Newry City U14 0-2 Ballybot Celtic U14 – Feb 14th

Two of the top teams in the league met at the Showgrounds on Saturday. The previous encounter ended in a 2-2 draw and both teams were keen to achieve victory this time. Newry started off really well with a number of attacks and should have been at least a goal up after 10 minutes but for some fine defending and goal-keeping by Ballybot. Shortly after this Newry had another chance when the ball broke free to Sean McConville who hit a shot that rebounded off the ‘keeper only for the follow up to be cleared off the line again. Totally against the run of play Ballybot took the lead. On one of their first attacks a shot was taken and heading wide only for it to hit one of their players and deflect into the Newry net. A cruel blow to the Newry lads!

True to form the Newry team never give up and again had an opportunity to level but some poor finishing was to prove costly. After half time another rare Ballybot attack resulted in the second goal. From a corner the ball broke loose to a player on the edge of the box who finished clinically to put Ballybot in control. Newry had numerous  opportunities to get themselves back in the match but some fine defending and goalkeeping kept the score in favour of Ballybot.

This was the team’s first defeat of the season but there is still a long way to go and time for this ever improving team to bounce back. Credit most go to a very sporting Ballybot team for an excellent match and both teams should be commended for a very high standard of football.

Newry U14 4 – 0 Rockview U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry U14’s had their first home game since August at the Showgrounds on Saturday against Rockview United. The game started slowly and it was Rockview who started the brightest and should have taken an early lead. It was three weeks since Newry’s last game and their lack of match sharpness showed in the first half. After a few positional switches due to an injury Newry eventually began to show some of the form that has taken them to the top of the league. A great through ball from Sean Mc Conville set Captain for the day and birthday boy Nathan Crudden away and he struck a sweet shot past the advancing ‘keeper to put Newry one up. Sean McConville and Tiarnan Murphy both came close shortly after this but the Rockview ‘keeper was having a fine game keeping his side just that one goal behind going in at half time.

The second half saw Newry attack from the start and after some great work on the wing by Caolan Reavy and Tiarnan Murphy, the ball found its way to Matthew Treanor who finished clinically to put Newry two goals up. Newry didn’t have to wait long until goal number three, another through ball by Murphy lead to the third with Sean McConville getting back amongst the goals with a nice shot to the far corner. Shortly after the same player made it four nil after a similar move to put the result beyond any doubt.

Credit must go to a hard working Rockview team whose league position doesn’t justify the way this team plays. No doubt they will give many teams a hard game this season. As for Newry, it took a while for the lads to get moving but eventually they showed why they are top of the league and credit to all the squad for a hard working team performance. This result leaves the team with a very healthy 22 points from a possible 24.

Newry City U14 6 – 1 Valley Rangers U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry City Under 14’s travelled to Kilkeel on Saturday morning to play local side Valley Rangers. This was Newry’s seventh league match and sixth away game due to unavailability of the back pitch at Showgrounds but the team were to put in their best display of the season in almost storm like conditions against a strong Valley Rangers line up.

Right from the start Newry were playing some close controlled football and kept the ball on the ground, making some fine passes against a strong wind. Around 15 minutes into the match Newry were in front after a great through ball from Shea Morgan released Tiarnan Murphy through on goal and he slotted the ball past the ‘keeper to put Newry one up. Soon after it was again the same two players linking up in a carbon copy move with Murphy hitting the ball low and hard to the far corner to make it 2-0. The third goal came right from the back and started with Newry keeper James Keenan passing the ball to Right back Matthew McGinn. He sent Midfielder Joe Connolly surging forward who in turn set a neat ball through to Sean Mc Conville who shot to the back of the net in true striker fashion, 3-0. Valley responded with some fine play and James Keenan was called into action a few times making some fine saves. Eventually their pressure paid off and after a neat pass to their front man they pulled a goal back to make it 3-1. This spurred Newry back to life and again after some fine passing Connolly sent Murphy running through again only this time he lobbed the ball over the advancing Valley keeper to make it 4-1 Newry and complete a first half hat-trick.

Both teams were glad of the half time break and the second half started the same as the first with Newry attacking right from the kick off. Shea Morgan was having a fantastic game in midfield and after winning the ball he sent Joe Connolly on a run, who in turn sent a neat pass to Murphy again who beat the defender to rattle the best of his goals into the top corner to make it 5-1. A few moments later Murphy was to finish off a fine individual performance by striking an excellent free kick over the Valley Rangers wall into the net to make it 6-1 and 5 goals for the little winger. Newry made a number of substitutions and one of these Nathan Crudden was unlucky on a number of occasions not to add to the Newry tally. In defence Newry were strong with Russell and Oveson controlling the centre and Mc Ginn and Murphy doing well in right and left back positions. The midfield pairing of Connolly and Morgan really showed their ability throughout. The front line of Trainor and Mc Conville worked hard to create openings assisted by Caolan Reavey and Tiarnan Murphy who ended up with one of his best performances to date in a Newry Jersey with five goals.

A big thanks must go to the parents who helped with transport and weathered the elements to support the team. It was also great to see our top goal scorer Tiernan Reilly who is out injured at the moment, shouting his team mates on. All in all a good day out and a great team performance from a vastly improving group of lads. Well done all!!

Annalong U14 0 – 3 Newry U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry U14’s traveled to Annalong on Saturday to play their 5th away game in the league. The away side had to make do with a depleted squad due to holidays and injuries.

Newry started very slowly and despite the majority of possession were unable to crack open a stubborn Annalong defence. Indeed had it not been for a fine save from the Newry ‘keeper James Keenan they could have found themselves behind going into the half time break.

After the break things looked better for Newry as they gathered themselves up and started to play some fine free flowing football. After some great work in defence by Aidan Ovesen the ball made its way to Tiernan O’Reilly on the wing who crossed in for Matthew Trainor to stab the ball into the net and make it 1-0 to Newry. Newry were really boosted by this goal and shortly afterwards made it 2-0 after some fine individual skill by O’Reilly who hit a blistering shot to the far corner of the net. The work rate of Tiarnan Murphy was evident throughout the match and it was Murphy that set up Newry’s third goal to finish off a fine second half performance.

This was a fine second half display by a depleted squad but a number of players stood out and deserve a special mention. James Keenan in goals was alert throughout and handled all fantastic when called upon. Aidan Ovesen in defence had one of his best games in a Newry jersey as did Tiernan O’Reilly who has now scored 7 goals in 6 games. Caolan Reavey stepped up to the mark and played some fine passing football creating many openings for the forward line. Tiarnan Murphy, Newry’s representative on the Northern Ireland elite squad stamped his authority on this game right from the start with some fine individual play and passing and was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match by the referee. This win keeps Newry top of the league and has really intensified competition for starting places amongst a hard working squad.

Newry Under 14 team would like to take this opportunity to wish Youth Academy Manager Conlon Morrison a speedy recovery from recent illness and hope to see him back shouting us on very soon.