At the end of every month throughout the season Newry City AFC supporters vote on our website for the Senior Player of the Month. The First Team Management then pick the winner from the three players with the most votes in the poll.

Mark Lowry, Conor McCaul and Chris McMahon received the most votes in the November poll but after careful consideration Conor McCaul has been selected for the award. Conor was a rock in the centre of the Newry defence that kept four clean sheets from five games in November.

Newrycityafc.co.uk caught up with Senior Team Manager Darren Mullen, who wished to congratulate Conor on his award.

“Conor has been in terrific form for us all season whether it has been in midfield or defence and fully deserves his award. He has made the step up from Carnbane to Intermediate football with ease and will be a vital player in our push for promotion.”

Newry City’s Irish Cup run came to an end on Saturday at a cold and blustery Larne when they were beaten 4-1 by Amateur League side Crumlin Star. The Newry side started the game slowly and were caught cold inside five minutes when a Newry attack broke down inside the Crumlin half and the home team broke at speed with five quick passes moving play into the Newry box before the ball was slotted into the net to put Crumlin one goal up.

The rest of the half was much more even with both teams having their share of possession without really threatening to score.

Newry started the second half much better than the first and almost equalized straight from the kick off with Chris McMahon and Graeme Edgar combining to release Niall Crilly who’s wind aided cross come shot had the Star keeper in all sorts of trouble as he stretched to fingertip the ball onto the cross bar, the rebound falling to a defender to clear.

Newry were now on the ascendancy and Crilly was again involved in Newry’s second good chance of the half when he found Jimmy Walker in space just outside the Crumlin box. Walker rolled his pass to centre forward Mark Patton who with his back to goal back heeled a defence splitting pass to Walker who had continued his run and now had only the home keeper to beat. Unfortunately Walkers low shot crashed into the keepers legs and rebounded to safety.

It was now Crumlin’s turn to regroup and this they did in style with two quick goals, the second of which was scored by Newry City’s ex Irish League player Francis Murphy, to put the home team 3-0 up.

Newry refused throw in the towel with manager Darren Mullen making substitutions to add some new impetus. This bore dividends within minutes when two of those newly added players combined to put Newry back in the game. Ian Curran found Neil Barr with a long throw in. Barr controlled the ball with his back to goal before spinning and unleashing a dipping shot from 25 yards out which flew into the top corner of the Crumlin net before the keeper had moved. Newry’s attempt at a comeback nearly got better two minutes later when the Crumlin keeper had to dive full length to the base of his post to save a shot from McMahon. However any hopes of a comeback were extinguished with five minutes left when Murphy’s second goal restored Crumlin’s three goal advantage which was more than a little harsh on Newry who competed well throughout with their more experienced opponents.

Newry City AFC Man of the Match: Mark Patton

Newry resume their league campaign on Saturday 14^th December away to Laurelvale at 2pm. Newry City AFC Travel Club bus will be departing from the Stonebridge at 1pm sharp, all are welcome!.

Newry City AFC Team: Murphy, Crilly, Anderson, Annett, McCaul, Edgar, McMahon, McElroy, Patton, Walker, Lundy. Subs: Curran, Martin, Barr, Campbell, Thompson, McVicker.

Name: Graeme Edgar.

Age: 22.

Occupation: Fireplace/Stove installer.

Previous Clubs: Portadown FC, Banbridge Town FC and Markethill Swifts FC.

Position: Midfield.

Footballing Hero: Steven Gerrard.

What are your interests outside of football? Socialising, shooting, watching different types of sport, motorbikes.

If you could take 3 celebrities to dinner who would they be and why? Lee Evans for a good laugh, George Best so he could show me how to dribble, shoot etc! And Megan fox. (You should know why)

What is the best ground you have played in? Windsor park.

What would you like to achieve by the time you hang up your boots? Scoring a goal would be nice! And to play a part in getting Newry back into the Irish league, picking up a few cups on the way!

Who is the joker of the team? Paul McElroy likes to laugh at his own jokes.

Who is the best at training? Christopher McMahon.

Who is the worst at training? Joel Annett.

Who has the worst dress sense? Stefan Martin.

One song that gets you pumped up for a match? Martin Garrix – animals.

Who is the best player you have ever played with? Richard Clarke (Portadown).

What one word would best describes you as a footballer? Competitive.

And finally…a word for the fans? They’re as good as an extra man on the pitch!