Category: Under 17’s
U17s Cup Final Saturday 24/02
This Saturday our U17 team travel to Lurgan to play Armagh City U17s in their League Cup Final. The boys would really appreciate all the support they can get to help them bring the cup back to Newry!!
Wakehurst U17s 1-1 Newry City U17s
Newry U17s went into this game on the back of some good results but found themselves lucky to be on level terms at the break in this match. Only for some excellent defending by James Smyth in the centre of the back line and some super saves by goalkeeper Shane Magill, Wakehurst could have been well out of sight after the opening 45 minutes.
The half time team talk certainly had the desired effect as Newry came out with a renewed belief in the second half and began to get a foothold in the game.
But against the run of play Wakehurst took the lead on a counter attack with an outstanding 40 yard strike into the top corner of the net.
Newry threw men forward in search of an equaliser and eventually got back on level terms through the impressive Paul Cunningham, who was first to react after the Wakehurst keeper parried Niall McShane’s free kick.
Speaking to newrycityafc.co.uk after the match, Newry U17 Manager Denis McGuinness said he was pleased with the character the lads showed to come from behind and get something out of the game.
Hillsborough 2-2 Newry City u17s
After a good performance and result from last week Newry went into this game with confidence although faced with a top three team. It was the home team that started the better and took a very early goal from a poor offside decision. Newry did settle into the game and a very dangerous 2 footed challenge resulted only in a yellow card which nearly took James Smyth out of the game, James also seen a yellow for his reaction but after a quick chat from manager Denis McGuinness calmed down to continue his very impressive performance.
Newry give as good as they got for the remainder of the half but couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed. Newry knew at half time they where as good on the day as Hillsborough and came out in the second half all guns blazing. Conor Jordan and Sean Smith who had extremely good games kept pushing the team forward.
Newry finally got the goal they deserved when skipper Niall Mc Shane won the ball in centre midfield and played a brilliant weighted pass to Ross Mc Guinness who superbly slotted the ball into the far corner. Newry built from this comeback and surprisingly took the lead when they won a corner and McShane scored directed from the corner. With time running out Hillsborough put another striker on and played the long ball seeking for the equalizer which came minutes before the final whistle. A draw was a fair result with the Newry coaching staff delighted with the recent progress.
Good luck lads
Newry City AFC would like to wish the four players from the Newry City U17 squad the best of luck for their upcoming trials for the Co.Armagh Milk Cup squad this Monday night in Tandragee!
The players are: Shane Magill (Goalkeeper), James Smyth (Centre back), Niall Mc Shane (Midfield) and Ross McGuinness (Attacking winger/striker).