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.

Newry City secured another valuable three points in their quest for Mid Ulster League honours on Saturday when a debut goal from Karl McVerry and another from goal machine Sean McMullan were enough to see off the challenge of Fivemiletown. Having defeated the Tyrone side in the Premier Cup Final after Christmas Newry manager Darren Mullen was well aware that a trip to play the same opponents in the very next match could have been difficult but from the first minute his side banished any hangover fears he may have had “We started off on the front foot and were comfortable throughout the game. It’s good to start 15/16 with a win and considering the recent cup final it’s a good win as this game had the potential to be a banana skin. Defensively we were very solid with the whole team working extremely hard on a heavy pitch. With Timmy Grant failing a late fitness test it was an opportunity for Karl McVerry to show what he could do and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Not only did he score his first goal but his work rate without the ball was excellent and his performance shows the importance of a strong squad. We had chances to add to the two goals but I’m delighted to come away with three points and we can now look forward to the Hanover game on Friday night”.

Playing his first game for Newry Karl McVerry very nearly scored with his first touch, Chris McMahon from left back cutting out the Fivemiletown defence with a long diagonal pass into the path of McVerry who hit a first time shot across the goal inches wide of the far post. This was followed by a flurry of Newry attacking play but the next goal chance was to fall the way of the home side, Ivor Johnston heading wide at the back post when well placed from a Chris McDowell corner. Decky Carville was to have a frustrating day in front of goal with a host of efforts cleared off the Fivemiletown goal line. The first of these came after ten minutes when he rose highest at the back post to meet a McVerry cross which Carville headed down towards goal beating the keeper but not a defender well placed on the goal line. Stephen McCabe was buzzing on the Newry left wing and it was fitting that he would assist in the opening goal which came after 18 minutes. Sean McMullan won possession inside the Fivemiletown half but with no immediate help available the big man had to use all his strength to hold the ball up until McCabe became available on the wing. From the half way line McCabe outpaced his marker before playing a delightful curling pass behind the Fivemiletown defence which found McVerry in space at the far side of the box, McVerry hitting a first time shot across Jason Muldrew into the bottom corner of the home net to put Newry a deserved goal up. With McCabe continuing to show up well Newry were very much on top. On the half hour mark McCabe pitched a perfect ball onto the chest of McMullan, the centre forward using his first touch to roll around his marker before drilling in a low shot which Muldrew pushed wide. From the resulting corner first Carville was denied when his header was cleared of the line and when McMullan got his head to the clearance Newry appealed that the ball had crossed the line, referee David Murray ruling that Mulgrew in the home goal had got his hands to McMullan’s effort in time.

The reprieve was temporary as the visitors claimed their second goal minutes later and once more McCabe was the architect. Picking the ball up on the half way line McCabe used all his trickery and pace to skip past multiple home defenders before playing a perfectly paced ball through defenders which McMullan ran onto, his first touch taking the ball around the advancing Mulgrew, his second firmly planting the ball into the Fivemiletown net to give Newry the breathing space of a second goal.

The second half was largely one way traffic with Newry piling on the pressure to add to their lead. The half had only started when they had their first chance, Chris McMahon winning a Fivemiletown kick out and choosing to go it alone made his way into the opposing half before firing in a shot from some 30 yards which flew the wrong side post with Mulgrew beaten. From centre midfield Thomas McCann was pulling all the strings and on 50 minutes he skipped away from his marker to free Jimmy Walker on Newrys right. In turn he picked out McMullan on the penalty spot, McMullan spinning to shoot for the top corner of the Fivemiletown net, Mulgrew quickly across his line to save. Moving up from defence Conor McCaul was next to try his luck winning a clearance on the halfway line before moving up field and flashing a shot from distance wide of the home post.

On the hour mark it looked as if Newry were finally to be rewarded for their endeavour, McMullan slipping the ball to McVerry who from inside the box drilled a low shot towards goal which Muldrew did well to block but only to Carville who kept getting himself into goal scoring positions only to be continually denied, this time by a fine reaction block from the home keeper on his goal line. Indeed Mulgrew was saving his team from a hiding and on 70 minutes he once more denied the visitors. Walker picked out the run of McMullan behind the home defence and with Newry’s top scorer now bearing down on goal Mulgrew stayed upright to block McMullan’s shot with his legs.

There was more to come. On 75 minutes McMullan got a glancing head to Walkers corner, the ball smacking the cross bar and out to McVerry. His cross went straight across the home goal back to Walker on the opposite wing. This time Walkers cross was won by that man Carville who once more was denied the goal he deserved by yet another reaction save from Mulgrew. And with ten minutes left the custodian made his final save of the day when his defence failed to deal with a high looping ball into the penalty area allowing McMullan to jostle for possession which the big man secured before picking out McCabe with a reverse ball over his own head, the winger with a first time half volley bringing a final save from Muldrew.

Newry City’s next game is next Friday 15^th January at home to Hanover, kick off 8pm. After the game there will be a fundraising quiz in Social Club, all are welcome.

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