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.

Fans in focus: Gary Wilson

Name: Gary Wilson

Age: 29

How long have you supported Newry? I’ve been going regularly to games for about 25 years.

How did you come about supporting the club? It’s in the Wilson blood!

Your favourite ever player? Many great players have turned out in the famous blue and white stripes over the years. Some that spring to mind include – Dessie ‘The Dundalk Hawk’ Gorman, Gary McPhee, Johnny Kenny, Stuart McLean and Willy Crawley but without doubt the greatest is Oliver Ralph! He scored a club record total of 305 goals at Newry – is it any wonder he is still idolised at the Showgrounds?!

Favourite current player? I have great admiration for many of the players at Newry at the moment but the one that stands out for me is the wee man from Omeath – Jimmy Walker.

Best memory supporting the club? My best memories supporting the club would have to be our European adventures in the late 90’s to Croatia and Germany in the Intertoto Cup. I traveled to both the games with the team and it’s something I will never forget.

Funniest moment supporting the club? The funniest thing I have seen supporting the club was at an away game at Crusaders a few years back. A Crues’ player called Jeff Spiers attempted to get over the fence to confront myself and my mate Nelly. I’ll have to leave it to Nelly to explain why though!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why? It would have to be Mourneview Park in Lurgan. The work that Glenavon FC has put into it over the years is incredible. No matter where you sit in the ground, there always seems to be a great view of the game.

What is it you like most about following Newry? I love the friendly banter among fans and players, it isn’t something you see at many clubs. Newry City AFC is also a cross community club, which is something I am extremely proud of.

Hopes for the future? For Darren to lead us back into the Premiership where we rightly belong and to bring those European days back to the Showgrounds! Also, I have to say it is great to see the work that Conlon Morrison is putting into the new Youth Academy at the club. Hopefully the senior team will reap the rewards in the years to come.

 

Three goals and three points!

Three picture book goals and three points was the Newry City return from Saturdays Mid Ulster League tie at The Showgrounds against Seapatrick. However, that does not tell the full story of a match in which Seapatrick defended stoutly obviously determined not to suffer a repeat of last Saturdays four goal cup defeat by Newry.

Aaron Brilly celebrates his goal with Mark Lowry. Photograph: Brendan Monaghan
Aaron Brilly celebrates his goal with Mark Lowry. Photograph: Brendan Monaghan

The first twenty minutes of the game saw incessant Newry pressure with half chances falling to Brilly, McMahon and Crilly but very much against the run of play it was Seapatrick who almost opened the scoring. With little threat to the Newry goal and the ball safely at the feet of Peter Murphy, a misplaced short kick out was intercepted by a Seapatrick player now with a free run on goal. With Murphy stranded it looked like Seapatrick only had to get the shot on target to score. However that was not allowing for the excellence of Murphy who got back into position and twisted in mid air as he dived to get a strong hand to the shot deflecting it on to the cross bar also benefiting from a piece of good fortune as the rebound landed within his reach.

The home side made the most of this reprieve going ahead on the hour mark with a goal made by their captain Chris McMahon. Picking up possession inside his own half McMahon drove at the Seapatrick defence beating tackles as he brought the ball to the end line. Composure required McMahon cut back inside before picking out the run of Aaron Brilly across the six yard line, Brilly meeting the cross with a powerful first time shot which crashed to the back of the Seapatrick net.

Similar to many games this season Newry kicked on after the half time break to completely dominate the second period. Straight after the break Niall Crilly took the ball out of defence before finding Mark Patton inside the box. Tightly marked Patton back heeled the ball into the path of Jimmy Walker who was unfortunate to see his shot deflected over the bar. Newry continued to press for the elusive second goal which looked like it would not come due to a combination of some poor final passes, wasteful finishing and a little bit of bad luck especially when Paul Donegan ran from the back post to meet a Walker corner on the penalty spot, his first time volley smacking into the crossbar with the Seapatrick keeper motionless. Pressure eventually told on 80 minutes with a goal made and scored by Man of the Match Walker. Having stifled another Newry attack Seapatrick attempted to walk the ball out of defence. Walker won the ball back and made himself some space before curling his shot from 30 yards out into the far top corner of the Seapatrick net to put Newry 2-0 up. Good as this goal was better was to come. In a one touch passing movement involving half the team beginning with Crilly in his corner back position and ending with Lowry wide on the right wing Newry moved from defence to attack in a matter of moments. Lowry still had much to do to threaten the Seapatrick goal but did so in a flash flicking the ball with the inside of his right foot onto his left which he used to smash a curling shot from 35 yards into the same top corner as Walker hit moments earlier for an early contender for goal of the season.

MOTM Jimmy Walker. Photograph: Brendan Monaghan.
MOTM Jimmy Walker. Photograph: Brendan Monaghan.

Newry manager Darren Mullen was happy to have secured maximum points from the game “We must have had 80% possession in this game but when you are only a single goal in the lead there is always the danger of a breakaway. The players were told before the game to be patient and that eventually paid off with three very good goals. That’s now three clean sheets and seven victories in a row and most importantly three league points. But it’s still very early days and we now concentrate on Tuesdays Mid Ulster Cup match against Armagh.”

Don’t forget this match will be on http://www.vadio.ie/newrycityafc at 9pm tonight!!

Newry City AFC: Murphy, Crilly, Edgar, Moan, Donegan, Kearns, McMahon, Walker, Brilly, Patton, Lowry Subs: McMullan, Barr, McCaul, O’Connor, Fay, Curran,

Newry’s next game is on Tuesday 28th Oct away to Armagh City in the Mid Ulster Cup. Newry then travel on the 1st November to play Crewe Utd, kick off 2:15pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave the Stone Bridge for this game at 12:45pm.

Newry U14 3 – 0 Ballyvea U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

On Saturday last Newry Under 14’s had a home match against Ballyvea in the U14 league championship. After a heavy nights rain the pitch was surprisingly in good condition.

Newry started the game slowly but eventually got their foot on the ball and started to pass the ball around. Despite 70% of possession Newry found it hard to break down the Ballyvea defence who had come with a game plan of trying not to concede any goals. Just before half time Newry opened the scoring with a Joseph Connolly goal after some great work from fellow team mates.

The second half opened brightly for Newry after a stern team talk from the management and it wasn’t long before Shea Morgan added Newry’s second goal with a well placed shot. Newry’s passage of play seemed to falter after this goal and trying to break down the Ballyvea system was frustrating for the Newry boys. However just rewards came near the end when Tiarnan O’Reilly slotted in Newry’s third and final goal to ease the concerns of the good home support.

While it was nice to get another win Newry have a lot of work to do if they are to keep up a good start to the season. A number of areas were identified that need working on but all in all a win is a win and its down to hard work on the training pitch that improves mistakes. There were some fine performances but again teamwork is what eventually got the win for Newry.

It was nice to see former Team Manager Lee Kirrane in attendance and watching how his former players are progressing.

Meet the players: David O’Connor

DSCF7149Name: David O’Connor

Age: 29

Occupation: Financial Advisor

Position: Right Back, Left Back, Centre Mid, Physio table.

Previous Clubs: Warrenpoint Town. Ballybot United.

Honours: Championship 2. Intermediate A a few times, Bass Bowls and a couple of other Mid Ulster cups back in the day. Fr Davies Cup with Ballybot a couple of years ago too.

Footballing Hero: Shaun Goater. Feed the Goat and he will score.

What is the best ground you have played in? Played in a few decent ones with the ‘Point and The Showgrounds is a great pitch, but nothing comes close the home of football, The Barley Field.

Who is the joker of the team? Ian Curran’s good for cutting boys to pieces with his one liners.

Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? The most consistent is probably Chris McMahon. I played against him a couple of years ago too and rated him then. Jimmy Walker is very good too. With them two and Kenny Kearns, I’ll not be holding out much hope of getting a run in centre mid this year.

Who has the worst dress sense? The dress code is pretty standard with either a suit or tracksuit, but Darren Mullen has a pair of skin-tight black tracksuit bottoms he wears an odd time that give me trouble sleeping at night.

Have you got any pre-match rituals? Take the dog for a walk in the morning to loosen out the legs and then eat a couple of bananas in the hour before kick off.

Who is the best player you have ever played with? I used to enjoy playing right back at the ‘Point with Franco Trainor on the left and John Boyle and Jonny Cowan in the middle. The three boys have been about and fairly keep you right.

If you had a super power what would it be? The ability to score flying scissor kick volleys from 20 yards, Paolo Di Canio style. I keep hitting it a couple of inches too high at the minute.

What are your interests outside of football? Golf. I’ll soon be hanging the boots up and looking to lower the 20 handicap.

Tell us something about yourself not many people know: I’m a closet Michael Bolton fan. Nothing better than belting out a few classics when I’m in the car on my own!

 

*Thanks to Brendan Monaghan Photography for the cover photo.