Name: Matthew McArdle
Age: 9
Position: Midfield/Defence
Who do you play for: Windmill Stars.
Who would you like to play for in the future: Man City.
Favourite Football Team: Man City.
Favourite footballer: I would say Lionel Messi.
Who is your favourite Newry player: Easily Niall Crilly!
What was your favourite thing about being Mascot: It was a fantastic experience being involved with the team warm up before the game, the boys made me feel part of the team.
Name: Declan Carville
Age: 25
Occupation: Scaffolder
Position: Midfield but Darren won’t let me play there!!
Previous Clubs: Orchard City, Bessbrook United & Rathfriland Rangers.
Honours: Carbane League, Bessbrook Cup, AOH Cup, FR Davies Cup, Gerald Kennedy Cup, Yorkshire Cup U13s.
Footballing Hero: John Barnes
What is the best ground you have played in? Windsor Park
Your toughest opponent? Paul “Mackle” McElroy – hard man!
Who is the best player you have ever played with? Best I’ve played with is Dingo Hughes or Lee Feeney!
Who is the joker of the team at Newry? There is a few jokers, Ian Curran would be up there but big Mully has to be the one! Never a dull moment!!
Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? I’d have to say Tucker (Thomas McCann) and Jimmy (Walker)! Hard to separate!
Who is the laziest player in the team? Conor McCaul, no question.
Who has the worst dress sense? Worst dress sense would be Pete “the body” Murphy! He even wears his boxers inside out.
If you had a super power what would it be? I would love to be able to read the future so I could pick the winning lotto numbers or even get a bet up.
What are your interests outside of football? My interests outside of football would be beating Plug (Patton) at Fifa when we have time for a game.
What is your goal at Newry? To win everything possible and get the club up the leagues!
Newry City dropped their first league points of the season in a scoreless draw at Crewe on Saturday. After a game which Newry had chances to win but which they might have lost in the closing minutes Newry manager Darren Mullen was not overly despondent “It was a frustrating game for us especially with the way we played and the possession we had. The players were disappointed after the game and that shows the expectations they have set for themselves this season. However, when the dust settles we will realise we are still unbeaten and have kept another clean sheet. Crewe are a decent side and will take points off other teams this season.
A game which started off with midfield sparring Newry created their first chance on goal after 20 minutes, Thomas McCann chipping a pass into the path of Stephen McCabe as he arrived into the penalty area unfortunately finding the shooting angle too acute as his effort hit the side netting.
On the half hour mark Chris McMahon burst up field breaking through a brace of Crewe challenges before he arrived at the by line from where he pulled the ball back across goal alas finding a Crewe defender who cleared.
Crewe looked to be in on the Newry goal minutes later when a clearance from the Newry defence was charged down at the halfway line, the ball breaking straight towards the Newry goal where Paddy Mooney appeared to be the third favourite in a race for the ball with two Crewe forwards. Mooney however quickly made up the ground and slid to hook the ball from the Crewe mans foot before completing the clearance.
Newry started the second period on top creating several half chances without getting that extra yard of room to get a clear shot on goal. And on the rare occasion that Crewe showed any ambition to venture into the Newry area they found a defence marshalled by Mooney in top form.
Faced with this blanket defence it was always going to take a moment of magic to create an opening and as so often in these circumstances Newry looked to Jimmy Walker for a piece of brilliance.
On 65 minutes the mercurial midfielder picked the ball up inside his own half and set off pinging one twos until he arrived inside the Crewe penalty where he drew the Crewe keeper Cory Wilson, waited for him to commit to the dive before shooting only to be foiled by an outstretched hand from Wilson.
With time running out Newry were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Crewe box. Once more the responsibility was handed to Walker who all but delivered, his shot curling around the wall hitting the inside of the post and rebounding into the penalty area with a Crewe defender just reaching the loose ball before Timmy Grant could get a final touch.
If this was not cruel enough on Newry they almost suffered a final blow with time almost up when a Crewe free kick from the half way line was met at the back post by substitute Seamus Moore who’s header looped over Newry custodian Peter Murphy but landed on top of the net leaving the game scoreless at the final whistle.
Newry City: Murphy, Crilly, McMahon, Mullen, Mooney, Carville, McCann, Walker, McCabe, McMullen, Grant. Subs: Johnston, Edgar, Curran.
Newry City’s next match is a home fixture next Saturday against Ballymacash Rangers on Saturday 14th November. KO 2.15pm.
Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.
Newry City AFC is currently participating in the McDonalds/IFA Foundation Club Mark programme. The aim of this programme is to support the development of clubs and to implement good practice policies and procedures within them. The scheme prepares clubs to successfully work towards the Excellence Mark.
Former Newry City coach Seamus Heath, who is now the Newry & Mourne District Grassroots Development officer for the IFA, said of the scheme:
“The McDonald’s foundation club-mark programme provides a clear and structured approach to improving and developing local clubs.
“The value based coaching section demonstrates to the clubs partners, parents and young people that your club is child friendly, safe and will develop all players as footballers and citizens.
“Mentoring of the coaches is providing both confidence and positive coaching to them as they progress on their coaching pathway while developing both themselves and the players.”
And speaking of the progress that Newry City AFC are making as a club, Seamus said:
“Newry have been through a difficult period over the last few years, having gone from an Irish premier league side to closure of their ground and collapse of all their teams. But things are really looking up for them now.
“It’s great to see top local coach and Newry City AFC manager Darren Mullen taking a keen interest in all the club’s programmes with his help, advise and words of wisdom to the clubs future players.
“Newry U15 Coach Colm Murphy, who is on the programme, is your typical volunteer who is the lifeblood of our sport and provides so much to his club. Colm is both a parent, coach and manager to one of the teams. Whilst working all day, miles from home, Colm plans his session, rushes home, collects his son and heads straight to training. Real football people!”
Newry first team manager Darren Mullen told newrycityafc.co.uk he is delighted with the work Seamus has been doing with the club:
“Seamus has been doing terrific work with our U15s for the past five weeks and they have certainly benefited from his quality coaching sessions. Not only are the lads improving but they are enjoying working with someone of Seamus’ experience. As a former coach at the club, he appreciates what we are trying to do and his help in this initiative is greatly appreciated,” Darren said.
He added, “The other teams within the club will also be taking part in some of his sessions and that can only improve their chances of progressing at the club. It also gives the existing youth coaches the chance to see different types of drills which can only be good for their development.”
Photos of Colm, Darren & Seamus with the Newry City U15 players during the Foundation Club Mark Programme
Name: Jake O’Neill 
Age: 10
Favourite Football Team: Real Madrid.
Favourite player: Ronaldo / Bale, because they score some great goals.
Who would you love to play for: I would say Real Madrid but if not then Newry City would be just as good!!
Who is your favourite Newry player: I would have to say Jimmy Walker.
What was your favourite thing about being Mascot: I couldn’t pick just one thing, I loved the whole day. But the feeling I got when walking out onto the pitch and being in the team photo was special.
