Newry U14 4 – 0 Rockview U14

by Colm Murphy, Newry City U14 Manager

Newry U14’s had their first home game since August at the Showgrounds on Saturday against Rockview United. The game started slowly and it was Rockview who started the brightest and should have taken an early lead. It was three weeks since Newry’s last game and their lack of match sharpness showed in the first half. After a few positional switches due to an injury Newry eventually began to show some of the form that has taken them to the top of the league. A great through ball from Sean Mc Conville set Captain for the day and birthday boy Nathan Crudden away and he struck a sweet shot past the advancing ‘keeper to put Newry one up. Sean McConville and Tiarnan Murphy both came close shortly after this but the Rockview ‘keeper was having a fine game keeping his side just that one goal behind going in at half time.

The second half saw Newry attack from the start and after some great work on the wing by Caolan Reavy and Tiarnan Murphy, the ball found its way to Matthew Treanor who finished clinically to put Newry two goals up. Newry didn’t have to wait long until goal number three, another through ball by Murphy lead to the third with Sean McConville getting back amongst the goals with a nice shot to the far corner. Shortly after the same player made it four nil after a similar move to put the result beyond any doubt.

Credit must go to a hard working Rockview team whose league position doesn’t justify the way this team plays. No doubt they will give many teams a hard game this season. As for Newry, it took a while for the lads to get moving but eventually they showed why they are top of the league and credit to all the squad for a hard working team performance. This result leaves the team with a very healthy 22 points from a possible 24.

Newry out of Irish Cup!

Frustration was the feeling of everyone associated with Newry City on Saturday after they were knocked out of the Irish Cup at Championship Two side Portstewart.

Frustration that a bizarre Irish FA rule forced them to concede home advantage and travel almost 100 miles to fulfil a cup fixture that the draw had first placed at the Newry Showground’s, frustration that a series of refereeing decisions on the day went against them, frustration that they face a crucial league game next week without three players who for a variety of reasons were shown red cards in this game, frustration that they had not turned their superiority on the field into goals and frustration that it was defensive errors ultimately which prevents them from joining the Premiership teams in the hat for round five. That said the positive message that can be taken from the game was that for long periods of the game Newry dominated play against a side who are comfortably placed in Championship 2 which surely augers well as they push for promotion to the senior ranks.

The early stages of the game looked promising for Newry as it quickly became evident that the gap in the league ladder would not be replicated on the pitch, Newry creating the first shooting opportunity after five minutes when a Smaryrginas cross was nodded down by Patton for McMahon who volleyed wide from the edge of the box. Having coped with a period of Portstewart possession Newry grabbed back the initiative after 20 minutes and thought they should have had a penalty when Smaryrginas was chopped down inside the box, the referee waving away Newry claims. Newry continued to press, McMahon carrying the ball out of defence before finding McMullan. McMullan turned and played a one two with his twin striker Patton, the return ball sticking under the big man’s feet but falling nicely for Patton who was following his pass in alas pulling his shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide.

Portstewart grabbed the opening goal after 26 minutes. Faced with a free kick ten yards inside their own half Newry allowed ex Coleraine player Johnny Stewart to ghost into the six yard box from where he headed the long free kick past Murphy to put the home side 1-0 up. Clearly lifted by this Portstewart enjoyed a period of domination, twice in a matter of minutes overlapping left back Ryan Campbell unfortunate with whipped crosses which flew harmlessly wide.

Newry battled back and equalized with a wonder goal on 40 minutes. Patton rose highest at the back post nodding the ball back to McCaul. McCaul spotted Smaryrginas in space 40 yards out. Faced with a strong wind there looked to be little threat to the Portstewart net. That however was not allowing for Smaryrginas who took a step forward before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top corner of the home goal to level the score. Newry weren’t finished for the half Smaryrginas again involved taking the ball down the right wing, cutting inside and playing a one two with McMullan before curling a shot with the outside of his right foot towards the far post which brought the best out of Madison as he dived to push the shot wide to send the sides in level.

 

Now playing with a strong wind at their backs Newry were immediately on the offence from the restart, Brilly testing Madison with a volley from outside the box. Patton was winning everything in the air and he was soon to cause havoc in the Portstewart defence chasing a long ball which ricocheted of defender and goal keeper back to Patton, in turn finding Brilly, his goal bound shot blocked by a covering defender. On 65 minutes Newry knocked on the door again. Once more Patton was the provider sliding a through ball to Johnston who from the left side of the penalty box opened his body to shoot across Madison, unfortunately placing his effort too close to the keeper. McCaul was the next Newry player to threaten the home goal, the central defender unlucky to see his header from a corner fly wide of the post.

Totally against the run of play the home side took the lead with 75 minutes on the clock when the Newry defence failed to clear an innocuous crossed ball and Stewart once more nipped in to stab the ball past Murphy.

This time there was to be no way back for Newry. Despite constant pressure on the home goal the nearest Newry got to equalizing was from a diving header by Patton from a Kearns free kick which was saved by Madison and a clear hand ball inside the box which once more went unpunished by the referee. To add to Newry’s woe the referee took centre stage in the final minutes of the match. Having awarded Newry a free kick n the half way line he allowed a Portstewart player to pick the ball up and run with it. When Brilly tried to get the ball back as the seconds ticked by the home player rolled on the ground, the inevitable hand bags followed and the referee in his wisdom sent both players off. Worse soon followed for Newry. Having piled all bar a defender and the keeper forward for a corner when the ball was cleared in the race for the ball Donegan became tangled with a Portstewart player who cleverly ran across his path, the referee judged the Newry player to be at fault and showed him his 2nd yellow card which meant an early exit. And only the referee will know why he showed Fay a straight red card after the final whistle, speculation that it may have been something involving the linesman who ruled that Fay was in an offside position when he scored what he believed to be a last minute equalizer.

So a game which will have repercussions as Newry get back to league action next week and though Newry manager Darren Mullen was despondent after the game he did draw a lot of positives from the game “I’m absolutely gutted to be honest. It’s a game we should have won and we’ve missed a great chance to get into the 5th round of the Irish Cup. We had done our homework on them, we dominated the game and paid the price for two defensive errors. To go to a Championship side that have been doing well of late and play so well is a sign of progress but we need to start and take our chances that we are creating. If we can do that and work hard to cut out the defensive mistakes then it’s something to build on for the rest of the season. We have a massive league game next week so there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves.”

Newry Team: Murphy, O’Connor, Curran, McCaul, Donegan, McMahon, Kearns, Smaryginas, Patton, McMullan, Brilly. Subs: Johnston, Fay, Crilly, Walker, Barr.

NCAFC Travel Club

The NCAFC travel club bus to Ballymacash Rangers leaves Stonebridge at 12:45 on Saturday 13/12/14. All welcome.

 

Fans in focus: Stephen Beattie

Name: Stephen Beattie

Age: 22

How long have you supported Newry? Almost 8 years now.

How did you come about supporting the club?
When I heard that Newry were playing on Sky Sports during the 07/08 season against Coleraine I decided to go down. I was instantly hooked and have been watching Newry home and away ever since!

Your favourite ever player?
It would have to be our captain from my early years supporting the club, Richard Clarke. Very notable mentions to Emmet Friars and Stephen Garrett also.

Favourite current player?
Based on what I have seen over the last year and a half it would come down to Jimmy Walker or Mark Lowry, the latter of whom has been very influential for Newry so far this season. The goals these two scored against Seapatrick last month were two of the best I’ve seen at the Showgrounds.

Best memory supporting the club?
Winning 3-2 away to Coleraine (09/10 Season) in the final minutes on my second trip up there within 3 days is a great memory! I also remember a Newry win on a cold afternoon at the Oval, fondly.

Funniest moment supporting the club?
If only I could accumulate all of Kevin Ruddy’s ‘slightly’ elaborate stories from the terraces! I also recall myself and a few friends spending an entire half time haggling with the late Tommy O’Hanlon over old Newry Town shirts in the club shop!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why?
Purely for the atmosphere – Elland Road. In the Irish League I have always enjoyed going to Seaview – a compact stadium and you’re always close to the action.

What is it you like most about following Newry?
It is my hometown and a club that I can be undeniably linked with.

Hopes for the future?
To win Intermediate A and continue to progress up the Irish league ladder. (Playing against Warrenpoint competitively ASAP would be great)

Meet the players: Ian Curran

icurranName: Ian Curran

Age: 26

Occupation: Validation Analyst 

Position: Centre back 

Previous Clubs: Glenavon, Donegal Celtic and Loughgall 

Honours:
Intermediate cup x2
Mid Ulster cup x2
Championship 1 play-off winner
Milk cup elite section runner up 2007
Northern Ireland under 18 Schoolboys – 5 appearances v England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and Jersey
Northern Ireland under 19s – 2 appearances v Israel (x2)
Northern Ireland under 20s – 3 appearances in 2007 Milk cup v Turkey, Chile and Israel
Northern Ireland under 21s – 3 appearances in 2008 Algarve tournament v Portugal, Usa and Cape Verde Islands

Footballing Hero: Edgar Davids 

What is the best ground you have played in? Ewood park 

Who is the joker of the team? Most of the lads would probably say me but I would go for Sean McMullan, he always makes me laugh!

Apart from yourself who is the best player on the team? At the minute I would have to say young Josh Durnin. I think he’s an outstanding talent. I haven’t seen a 17 year come into a first team squad and do that well in a long time. I think he has the potential to play at a much higher level.

Who is the laziest player in the team? I am the laziest player at the club. I have to be honest, I’m allergic to training.

Your toughest opponent? Beram Kayal, current Celtic FC midfielder. I played against him three times and he absolutely tortured me on each occasion. He must have thought it was Christmas marking me! He was outstanding, I couldn’t get near him at all. I think he scored 5 goals in the 3 games. I’m still having nightmares about him!

Who is the best player you have ever played with? The best player I’ve ever played with is Jonny Evans. His attitude was unreal – always keen to put the hard work in at training and in the games everything came so natural to him.

If you had a super power what would it be? To be made of steel as it would make a change from being made of glass as I’m always injured!

What are your interests outside of football? I enjoy watching films and playing snooker.

What is your goal at Newry? My aim at Newry is to help the club progress as far up the ladder back to the higher echelons of football in this country where it belongs.

 


Cover photo courtesy of Brendan Monaghan


Newry hit five past Seapatrick!

After two cup defeats Newry City took the chance of a return to league action securing a comprehensive victory over Seapatrick in Banbridge on Saturday. Having already enjoyed two four goal victories over their opponents this season Newry started Saturday’s game full of confidence and were on the offence from the kick off with the Seapatrick defence forced to concede a corner to deny Mark Patton a scoring chance after only 20 seconds. With McMahon, Kearns and the debutant Smaryginas winning the midfield battle Newry continued to dominate early possession but faced with some stout home defending the visitors struggled to create many clear chances, McMullan heading over a David O’Connor cross while Aaron Brilly was unlucky that his headed effort at the back post from a Smaryginas cross went across the face of thePhotograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography. goal without getting the touch necessary to deflect it over the line.

However, with the twin striking partnership of Patton and Sean McMullan working well it always looked to be only a matter of time before the goal came. When it eventually did arrive on the half hour mark it was from an unexpected source. McMullan received a throw in inside the Seapatrick box and with his back to goal flicked the ball into the path of Ian Curran arriving into the box, Curran making a few yards before poking his shot past McGrath in the Seapatrick goal to break the deadlock. Newry almost doubled the advantage soon after the restart, Patton taking the ball down the left wing before squaring his pass along the edge of the box from where McMullan’s first time shot fizzed wide. At the back Donegan was winning everything in the air but the next chance showed that there is much more to his game, as he intercepted a Seapatrick attack before taking the ball out of his own half, side stepping several challenges and then cutting the Seapatrick defence open with a pass which gave Patton a one on one with McGrath, the goalkeeper winning the battle blocking Patton’s shot with his legs. Just before half time the home side were further indebted to McGrath, McMahon and Kearns linking up to find Smaryginas in space outside the box, the debutants shot bringing the best out of McGrath as he flung himself to his left to tip Smaryginas’s shot round his post to keep his side just the solitary goal down at half time.

The second half began much like the first with Newry creating chances but unable to get that vital second goal. First to threaten was Donegan who rose highest at the back post to thunder a header off the cross bar with McGrath beaten. Next Kearns whipped in a free kick from the left wing which flew across the face of the goal without getting the touch necessary to cross the line and finally Smaryginas overlapped McMullan before laying the ball back to the striker who shot wide when well placed. The pressure simply had to tell and again it was McMullan and Curran involved. Clever as ever McMullan showed short for a corner kick. With his back to goal the big man juggled the ball before looping it over his head to the penalty spot where it was met by Curran who flicked it into the Seapatrick net with the deftest of volleys.

With the safety of that seconPhotograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.d goal Newry moved up a gear scoring three goals in ten minutes. On 75 minutes McMahon, who had led his team by example throughout, won the ball in midfield before finding Smaryginas wide on the right. Smaryginas took the ball to the end line before crossing low to the near post where Keith Johnston met it first time to slam the ball past McGrath for goal number three. Number four soon followed, David O’Connor slipping a pass through the defence for speedster Johnston to run on to, the winger having time to pick out McMullan who from about the penalty spot whipped his shot to the Seapatrick net for goal number four. The final goal of the game was perhaps the best. Curran swung a free kick across the pitch to Niall Crilly in the right back slot. Crilly immediately attacked the space in front of him taking the ball inside the Seapatrick half before finding Smaryginas. Smaryginas knocked the ball forward to Johnston who from the edge of the box laid the ball into the path of Crilly who had continued his run forward and now inside the box calmly slotted his shot into the bottom corner of the net to round of the scoring with goal number five.

In a game in which Newry had standout performances from Donegan and McMahon the star of the show was undoubtedly Paulis Smaryginas who belied his debutant status with a seasoned performance which pleased his manager Darren Mullen “Paulis had a terrific  debut and could become an important player for us. We started off at a terrific pace and could have been two goals up very early but after that we struggled to create anything for a time. Ian’s goal settled us and we were a lot better in the second half. It was also pleasing to see the substitutes having an impact today with Keith and Niall scoring. After two cup defeats it was certainly good to get league points”

Newry’s next match is next Saturday 6th December away to Portstewart in the Irish Cup. Travel club bus will leave the Stonebridge at 10:15hrs.

Newry City AFC: Murphy, O’Connor, Curran, Donegan, McCaul, Kearns, Smaryginas, McMahon, Brilly, Patton, McMullan Subs: Johnston, Crilly, Durnin, Edgar, Barr.

Photographs courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.