Manager’s corner (24.12.15)

As 2015 comes to an end it’s time to reflect on what has been a contrasting year for the team. We finished last season as a team not good enough to pick up silverware and have started this season with a great chance to pick up some. Whilst we have won nothing at this stage we have been working extremely hard to try to bring success to the club. That applies both on and off the pitch and sometimes the off field work goes unnoticed outside the club. The team cannot function successfully without the necessary support required and great credit must go to the committee and volunteers that give up their time on a continuous basis. There are too many people to name but Gary Wilson deserves a special mention for his continuous fundraising activities. I would also like to thank our sponsors who have supported us through a difficult time at the club and continue to show great loyalty. Without them we could not sustain the work that goes on from the academy through to the first team both in and off the pitch.

The premier cup final on the 28th has created a great buzz about the club and as a group we are really looking forward to the occasion. Fivemiletown will be a difficult opponent but we know if we play to our strengths we stand a good chance of success. I really hope the people of Newry turn out in their numbers to support the lads in what is our first intermediate cup final. The support we have received this year has been fantastic but I know an even bigger and more vocal crowd will help inspire the players. They have been a terrific group to work with and have created a very strong team spirit. That has been evident throughout the season and I hope for their sake they get the rewards that their efforts deserve.

Finally on behalf of the coaching staff, players and committee I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Hopefully 2016 brings the success that this terrific club deserves.

Yours in Sport,

Darren

Congrats to our Xmas Draw winners

Congratulations to the 2015 NCAFC Xmas draw winners :

1st prize: Barry Traynor – £100 note
2nd prize: Sylvia Pasternak – Brass Monkey Voucher
3rd prize: Kirsty Morgan – Paddy Power Voucher
4th prize: Marianna Lavery – Bottle of spirits
5th prize: Sylvia Pasternak – Box of beer

Newry City AFC Commercial Manager Gary Wilson wishes to thank all of those who were involved in the selling, and of course, everybody who bought tickets for the Christmas draw. The fundraising benefit of the Christmas draw is huge to the club and all efforts are greatly appreciated. Also, a big thank you to all those who donated prizes for the draw.

Newry City AFC would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody associated with the club a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Newry staff enjoy their Christmas visit to Daisy Hill Childrens Ward

 

Newry City players Christopher McMahon, Niall Crilly and Sean McMullan along with Manager Darren Mullen, Coach Mickey Keenan, Club Chairman Martin McLoughlin & Santa took time out of their working day to visit the children in Daisy Hill Children’s Ward to chat and share Selection Boxes.

 

After the visit Niall spoke highly of the tremendous work that the staff on the ward do commenting “We had a very enjoyable and rewarding time chatting to kids, parents and staff and handing out selection boxes. It really makes you appreciate how lucky we are to be healthy. What I was impressed with most was the enthusiasm and friendliness of the staff who could never get the recognition they deserve and on many occasions are taken for granted..”

 

Newry City AFC would like to thank Daisy Hill Hospital for allowing the boys to visit & Gerard Rice from Around A Pound who very kindly sponsored the selection boxes shared with the children on the ward.

 

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

Newry City AFC Hospice Collection

 

Pictured above Newry PRO Laura Hillen & Chairman Martin McLoughlin present a cheque to Southern Area Hospice Representative James McCaffrey. The collection was made at the recent Premier Cup Semi Final at the Showgrounds v Camlough Rovers raising a total of £200. The Newry City AFC Management and Committee would like to thank everyone who made a donation to this very worthwhile cause.

 

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

Newry welcome McVerry & Casey on board!

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Karl McVerry, Manager Darren Mullen commented ‘We have a very strong squad at the minute and it’s a case of adding quality and not quantity to it. Karl falls under that category and is a player I tried to sign on several occasions. His pace and strength will cause problems for teams and he will add to what is already a potent strike force. He has already shown in training what he is capable off and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a competitive game.’

 

McVerry commented “It is a real privilege to sign for a club like Newry City. The club is steeped in so much history and tradition that it is an honour to pull on the jersey. I am grateful to the management for their belief that I can improve a squad that is already full of quality and experience. I hope that in the near future we can win trophies and put this club back where it is supposed to be.”

 

Newry are also delighted to welcome Robbie Casey on board as club scout.

 

Manager Darren Mullen with Robbie Casey & Chairman Martin McLoughlin.
Manager Darren Mullen with Robbie Casey & Chairman Martin McLoughlin.

Mullen commented ‘I’m delighted that Robbie has agreed to take up the role of club scout. He was a legend as a player during his time here and it’s vital that we have people of his calibre involved at the club. We are always on the lookout for quality players and Robbie will be able to make sure we don’t miss out on the best local talent.’

Robbie Casey “Firstly I am delighted to be involved with the club in some capacity again.  My new role is to identify the best local talent about and recommend them to Darren. I will not only be checking local games but will also be looking at games throughout Mid Ulster. I spoke with Darren and there are certain areas of the pitch he is looking to strengthen. I have identified a few players that I will need to look at and speak to about joining Newry.

There are always hidden gems playing locally that may have been overlooked previously so I see that as my responsibility to check these players out.

I am excited about the role and hopefully will find some players that will help Newry get back to where they belong.”

 

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.