Newry City beaten in local derby

Newry City were knocked of the Mid Ulster Cup in Saturdays 2nd round clash away to Amateur League 1A side Rathfriland Rangers who were marshalled throughout by ex Newry stalwart Paul Donegan.  Although this was the second cup defeat in successive weekends the Newry management will have been much more satisfied with this display against a strong Rathfriland side.

Newry started the game with a new striking partnership of Neil Barr and Mark Patton and it was from the display of Patton that the Newry fans will take most encouragement for the forthcoming fixtures. Making his seasonal debut having returned from a serious injury Patton was a real handful for the Rathfriland defence both on the floor but mostly in the air where he enjoyed the better of many aerial duels with Rathfriland centre half Johnny Gibson.

Neil Barr shields the ball from a Rathfriland player
Neil Barr shields the ball from a Rathfriland player

Newry had the first good chance of the game after 6 minutes when Conor McCaul helped a long clearance into the path of Neil Barr who bore down on goal from the Newry left but drilled a low shot wide of the post. The game continued end to end before the next clear chance on 25 minutes which again fell to Newry. This time Barr rose highest to nod a Peter Murphy kick out to John Smyth wide on the right wing. Smyth ran at his defender and feigned to go down the line before cutting in and curling a left foot shot which forced the home keeper to make a fine save at the far post.

Newry paid the price for a little indiscipline on the half hour mark. Whilst some of the Newry players were still distracted appealing for what seemed like an off side decision which was not given in earlier play the Rathfriland players took a short corner which Ryan Evans carried to the edge of the Newry penalty area before unleashing a terrific shot which flew past Murphy into the top corner of the Newry net.

Almost immediately Newry had the chance to equalize when neat interplay between Graeme Edgar and Walker in the middle of the field released Barr again on the right wing. With space to run into Barr made ground but as he was about to shoot the ball bobbled, his shot rising from it left his boot and flew a foot over the bar.  It was on the stroke of half time that Newry came closest to equalizing. Patton won another long clearance nodding the ball into to path of the overlapping David Anderson who continued down the wing before rifling his shot to the near post. Taken by surprise the home keeper could only push the ball onto the inside of his post and was fortunate to see it rebound across his goal line to safety.

Rathfriland doubled their advantage soon after the restart. A long throw in from inside his own half by Donegan put his old team mate Ian Curran, who had just entered the game for the injured Paul McElroy, under pressure and his attempt to shepherd the ball over the goal line was intercepted by Darren McGrath who made his way now unattended into the Newry box before slamming the ball past the helpless Murphy to put the home team 2-0 up.

Action from Rathfriland FC v Newry City AFC
Action from Rathfriland FC v Newry City AFC

Patton and Barr continued to link up well, the latter on hand to pick up Patton’s headed flick on’s.  On the hour mark Barr found himself on the end of another Patton set up only for his shot to be blocked at the expense of a corner by the home keeper’s legs. Patton’s last involvement in the match was to head the resulting corner over the bar.

Newry introduced Mark Lowry to their attack with 25 minutes left and the speedy forward had an immediate impact winning a free kick with his first touch which Walker swung over and Curran won at the back post only for his headed effort to go wide of the post.  Newry had a similar free kick minutes later and when Walkers cross was cleared to the edge of the box Curran was there to lob the ball back into the box Lowry nipping in between Gibson and the keeper to win the ball and finish to the net to half the deficit.

Newry’s final chance to equalize came on 85 minutes. Anderson picked up the ball in his own half and made ground before sliding a pass into the box for Barr who’s shot on the run was blocked wide by Donegan. However, the best chance followed from the resultant corner as Walker’s cross was helped on by the head of McCaul to Barr free at the back post who in his attempt to nod the ball over the keeper got too much power on his effort and the ball slipped over the bar leaving the final score 2-1 to Rathfriland.

This was an improved effort from Newry against an experienced Rathfriland side which should prove to be beneficial when they resume league duties against table toppers Dungannon Tigers next Saturday, 28th Sept. In a game which saw many hard working contributions the stand out Newry performance came from Mark Patton.

Newry City AFC: Peter Murphy, David Anderson, Gary McVicker, Joel Annett, Paul McElroy, Jimmy Walker, Conor McCaul, Graeme Edgar, Mark Patton, Neil Barr, John Smyth. Subs: Mark Lowry (Smyth), Ian Curran (McElroy), Peter Thompson, Paul Daly, Lonnie Larkin (Patton).

Photos courtesy of Brendan Monaghan

Newry City AFC presents ‘Octobeard’

During the month of October the Newry City AFC senior squad, management, coaching staff and some supporters are taking part in ‘Octobeard’ – which requires them to go unshaven for the full month! This is to raise money for Barry Trainor’s ‘Children of Africa’ fund.

Senior Team Manager Darren Mullen and
Newry City AFC Senior Team Manager Darren Mullen and Barry Trainor

Barry is a former youth coach with the club and has been doing tremendous work for the charity over the past six years.

Senior Team Manager Darren Mullen was only too happy to help Barry in his quest for funding.

“I’ve known Barry a while now and he’s one of the nicest lads you could meet. What he does within this charity is absolutely incredible and if we can help in any small way then it will certainly be worthwhile.

“It’s also good for team spirit within the squad and I’m sure there will be plenty of banter along with a few dodgy looking characters over the next month. The lads had no hesitation in agreeing to the idea which shows the unity within the group. Hopefully people will contribute to the cause.”

The rules of ‘Octobeard’ are simple! You grow out your beard in the month of October. If you already have hair on your face, you have to shave it clean and start fresh. You then do everything you can to get donations rolling in!

All players, coaches and supporters taking part will have a sponsor form from now until the end of October with the aim to raise as much funds as possible for Barry and his charity. Please give generously as Barry will be returning to Africa to work voluntary with disadvantaged children.

Make sure to keep an eye out on our website for regular updates on how the ‘unshaven’ are coping with the challenge.

Reserve your bid on auction items

Newry City AFC are holding a fundraising night on Saturday 28th September at the Canal Court Hotel.

The night will include an auction with many attractive items on offer for sport lovers. If you would like to put a reserve bid on any of the following auction items, contact Decky McParland on deckydan@hotmail.co.uk or 07971134624.

 

Newry City lose in Bob Radcliffe Cup.

Newry City bowed out of the Bob Radcliffe Cup at the second round stage with a tepid display at home to Hanover on Friday night. Playing at home in front of another large expectant crowd the Newry side could not build on last week’s Irish Cup win and must now regroup for the upcoming local derby against Rathfriland Rangers.

Friday night’s game started slowly and the first clear chance after 15 minutes turned out to be the decisive moment of the night. A long high hopeful ball into the centre of the Newry defence was met with a sliced clearance the ball falling into the path of a grateful Hanover forward who neatly tucked the ball past Peter Murphy in the home net.

Newry went on the offensive for the rest of the first half and created a number of half chances without really looking like drawing level. On 20 minutes Lonnie Larkin controlled a Murphy kick out on the left wing before crossing to Gareth Hughes on the edge of the box only for Hughes effort to be charged down by the Hanover defence.  Minutes later Hughes again found himself in the same position after Niall Crilly’s cross to the far post was headed back across goal by Larkin. Unfortunately the Hanover defence were again on hand to block Hughes effort. Newrys best chance of the half came with moments left when Jimmy Walker fired the free kick he himself had won across the edge of the Hanover six yard box and when a deflection from either an attacker or defender could have been enough to deflect the ball into the net neither happened and the ball flew wide of the far post.

Newry swapped their front pairing shortly after the restart introducing John Smyth and Neil Barr in an effort to introduce some fresh impetus into the attack. On the hour mark Newry had perhaps their best opening of the night when a Murphy clearance was met with a deft Hughes headed flick into the path of Walker arriving into the Hanover box and with the home crowd expecting an equaliser Walkers shot cannoned off Short in the away goal for a corner. Newry kept the pressure on as Ian Curran picked up the crossed corner at the back post and laid the ball back to Crilly who unleashed a fine drive from about thirty yards which the keeper could only deflect for another corner. This time the corner arrived at the feet of Barr who turned and shot just wide of the far post.

Newry thought they had found the elusive goal on 75 minutes when Smyth’s cross from the right wing was finished to the net at the back post by Larkin who’s celebrations were cut short by referee Kerr who had already whistled for a push on the defender and Newry’s Radcliffe Cup run ended with their last chance of the game when Smyth’s run and shot ended in the hands of Short in the Hanover net.

This was a tame display by Newry.  Disrupted by the pre-match withdrawal of Conor McCaul and already without the services of Sean Hand and Captain Chris McMahon amongst others Newry failed to make enough clear chances to win the game. Although served well by hard working displays from Crilly, Walker, Hughes and Graeme Edgar the home management can have little complaints about this defeat and must now look forward to the league and other cup competitions to come.

Newry City AFC: 1 Peter Murphy 2 Niall Crilly 3 David Anderson 4 Joel Annett (Curran) 5 Paul McElroy 6 Jimmy Walker 7 Peter Thompson (Barr) 8 Graeme Edgar 9 Chris Smyth (J Smyth) 10 Gareth Hughes 11 Lonnie Larkin. Subs: 12 Paul Daly 13 Ian Curran 14 Stefan Martin 15 Neil Barr 16 John Smyth.

Ballyvea FC U13 0-3 Newry City AFC U13

Ballyvea FC U13 0-3 Newry City AFC U13

Sean McConville 40mins, Joseph Connolly (pen) 42mins & Tiarnan Murphy 53mins

Newry, after an excellent start to the season had to fight hard but claimed all three points against a battling Ballyvea side in Kilkeel Friday evening.

In what can only be described as a scrappy first half Newry struggled to control the game like they had in their previous two matches. Goal chances were few and far between with Newry coming out on top in the first half on count back of attempts. Half time came with the teams tied at 0-0.

Newry’s second half performance was an improvement on the first and they were rewarded on the 40th minute with a goal scored by Sean McConville.  From the kickoff Newry regained possession and attacked the opposition area where a goal bound shot was handled by a Ballyvea defender. A penalty was awarded and expertly dispatched into the top corner by Joseph Connolly making the score line 2-0.

To Ballyvea’s credit they continued to battle and but for some resolute defending by an excellent back four, might have had a goal that could’ve instigated a comeback.

It wasn’t to be for Ballyvea and the result was confirmed for Newry in the 53rd minute when Tiarnan Murphy cut in from the left wing and slotted into the far corner for his fifth goal in three games.

Newry will gladly take the three points from this tough encounter and move on. In their next league game they face a strong Windmill Stars side and Newry will have to bring their “A” game if they are to continue their brilliant start to the season.