Dunmurry Rec from the Premier Division of the NI Amateur League  were knocked out at the first round stage  of the Irish Cup for the first time in twenty years on Saturday when they were beaten one nil by Newry City AFC.

This was the reformed Newry side’s first venture in the premier cup completion in N Ireland and this victory against one of the top junior teams speaks volumes for the progress the club has made this season.

Having done their homework on the Dunmurry side the Newry management started with a defensively minded formation with five men in midfield and Chris Smyth, on paper, playing a lone role up front. However, the Newry lads were on the front foot from the kick off and it would soon have been evident to the home team that they were in an even match.

In a game played at a ferocious pace which was matched by many of the tackles, the few clear goal chances that developed all came in the first fifteen minutes. The first of these came five minutes in when Lonnie Larkin came out best in a midfield challenge and fed Gareth Hughes who’s slide rule pass gave Smyth a clear sight of goal only for his effort to skid low on the wrong side of the keepers far post.

On the 10^th minute Dunmurry had their best chance of the game when a mix up in the Newry defence resulted in a clearance cannoning into a fellow defender and looping high into the box. The bouncing ball was latched onto by Dunmurry centre forward Ricky Rutherford who with the open net in sight was forced to blaze the ball high over the bar by Joel Annett’s last ditch challenge.

Dunmurry paid the ultimate price for this miss minutes later when Conor McCaul controlled a long throw in inside the box and in the act of turning was taken down by a defender for a clear penalty which Larkin smashed high into the net.

The second quarter of the game was an epic midfield battle between two sets of players where no quarter was asked nor given and where the referee, who got all the major decisions correct, may have rightly felt overworked.

The second half was played on much the same theme. Although, obviously content with a one goal lead, Newry pressed forward at every opportunity. Shortly after the restart McCaul picked up a Dunmurry clearance just inside the Newry half and strode forward before firing narrowly wide from thirty yards. Gareth Hughes was the fulcrum for many of Newrys attacks as he made himself available for the ball to be played into his feet inside the Dunmurry box from where he set up shots from the edge of the area, twice for Graeme Edgar and then for David Anderson. Unfortunately neither player’s effort troubled the Dunmurry keeper. At the other end the Newry rear guard of Niall Crilly, Annett, McElroy and Anderson were superbly marshalled by Peter Murphy in goal allowing Dunmurry only long range speculative crosses which were mopped up with aplomb by Murphy.  As the final whistle beckoned both sides became more frantic, Dunmurry keen to preserve their cup status and Newry hoping to beat a team who had held Linfield to a draw only two seasons ago. With no further chances created injury time came and went and the final whistle sounded with Newry winning by that solitary Larkin goal.

In a game where all fourteen players used played a full part it would be harsh to single out anybody in what was complete team performance. However, Joel Annett and Paul McElroy were both outstanding as they held the Dunmurry talisman Rutherford scoreless and the Newry team spirit was epitomised by captain Chris McMahon and his vice-captain Niall Crilly, both of whom shone brightest in a game of crunching full blooded tackles with McMahon perhaps shading the Man of the Match award for one classy back heel pass which bamboozled the entire home midfield.

Newry City now look forward to taking on Hanover at the Showgrounds on Friday night, in the second round of the Bob Radcliffe cup, 7.30pm KO.

Newry City AFC Team: Peter Murphy, Niall Crilly, Joel Annett, Paul McElroy, David Anderson, Conor McCaul, Graeme Edgar, Chris Smyth, Lonnie Larkin (1), Gareth Hughes, Chris McMahon ©. Subs used: Peter Thompson, Ian Curran, Neil Barr. Sub not used: Paul Daly.

Since my first report we have had a defeat, a walkover and a win in the cup. The defeat against St. Mary’s was our first defeat of the season but a game that we can take some positives from. It was a game that we didn’t start well in but were unfortunate with an own goal to be one down at the break. We started brightly in the second half but a period of ill-discipline cost us with the sending off of Chris McMahon. Chris knows he needs to learn from this and will be a better player for it. Even with 10 men we were the better team and were unfortunate not to take anything from the game. In saying that St. Mary’s are a decent side and will be one of the contenders for promotion this season. Although the players were disappointed after that game the mood in training was good and with players returning from holidays it has been competitive.

The best way to recover from a defeat is to get back playing competitive football but with Castlecaulfields failure to field a team we were unable to do so as quick as we would have liked. Our Bob Radcliffe cup game away to Dromore Amateurs was a welcome return and ended up a relatively easy victory. We started slowly against Dromore who were content to sit back and try to hit us on the break. Peter Murphy pulled off a couple of good saves but overall we controlled the game. The injury to Sean Hand marred the victory and he will probably be out for a further three weeks. The most pleasing thing from the game was the fact that we created chances throughout the team with the goals coming from centre back and midfield.

Next up is Dunmurry Rec in the Irish Cup this Saturday in what is sure to be a tough encounter. We are delighted to be back in the Irish Cup especially after the great run the club had in getting to the semi-final two years ago. Although this is a completely new team we will be preparing in the same manner and will try to be as competitive as possible. The league will always be the priority this season but a run in any cup is always welcome. We have players returning from injury each week which will provide good competition for places and ensure those in the team do not take their places for granted. The coaching staff also make sure that the players are constantly reminded of how tough this season will be and we will achieve nothing if they are not prepared to work hard on the training pitch. This is where the experience of Ramy, Micky and Jervis has been vital and can only benefit the lads in their careers.

Finally I would like to thank the fans for their continued support. They have definitely brought something different to the Mid-Ulster this season and have been well received at each of the away grounds. Both home games have been well attended with over 250 at each game and long may it continue.

Yours in Sport

Darren Mullen.