Neil Barr bagged another hat trick as Newry City maintained their strong start to the season with a 4-0 defeat of the previously unbeaten Oxford Sunnyside in their third Intermediate B league match in Lurgan on Saturday (17th August).

Newrys first chance to turn early pressure into goals came after only five minutes when Paul Daly and Chris McMahon combined to put the ball into the Oxford box.  From the resultant scramble the ball was cleared back to Daly who’s first time cross was met by the head of Shane Lundy only for his effort to be deflected over the bar.

The 12^th minute saw the only real threat of the match on the Newry goal when Oxford were awarded a free kick just outside the box. However, Louth keeper Shane McCoy was equal to the challenge as he flung himself high to his right to deflect the ball to the covering Gary McVicker who completed the clearance. Defensivley for the remainder of the game the Newry central defence of McCaul, McElroy and later Annett dealt with any aerial threat whilst Crilly and McVicker controlled the flanks with McCoy ever assured in goal.

The rest of the half belonged to the Newry boys who created many goal chances. On the 20^th minute Jimmy Walker controlled a long ball and fed it wide to Mark Lowry. Lowry went on a mazy run evading a couple of challenges but was unable to get the necessary power into his shot to beat Jordan Steen in the home goal. Now dominating the middle of the park with Lundy, Daly, McMahon and Walker all combining Newry got the break through on the 30th minute which their play deserved. McMahon slid a pass to the over lapping Daly who’s goal bound effort was blocked for a Newry corner. Walker got a second chance to deliver when his corner was headed back to him by a defender, this time he found Neil Barr at the back post and when his headed effort hit the underside of the crossbar Barr himself was first to react to side foot the ball to the net for the opening goal.

Newry continued to make chances. With five minutes of the half remaining Niall Crilly strode forward and found the again over lapping Daly who at full pace beat the defender and fired in a cross which alas evaded the lunging Barr and Lowry. And Lowry was unfortunate again a moment later when he was on the end of a delightful Walker chip over the home defence but could only watch as his lobbed shot over the advancing keeper bounced wide of the gaping net. Persistence, however, did pay off on the stroke of half time when Lowry got to a low Walker cross a fraction before the home keeper who’s momentum carried him into Lowry, the referee without hesitation awarding a penalty. And the keeper was doubly unlucky as he made a splendid save from Barr’s blasted first effort only for the referee to order a retake as he adjudged the keeper to have left his line early. Given a second chance Barr was more assured drilling a low shot to the corner to make the half time score 2-0 in favour of Newry.

Spurred on by tremendous travelling support with which Newry has undoubtedly brought a new dimension to Mid Ulster Intermediate football the away team continued to dominate after the break. With the seasoned Gareth Hughes replacing Walker in midfield and the classy Joel Annett slotting into central defence beside Paul McElroy manager Darren Mullen was able to display the depth of his squad. Indeed Hughes was soon dominating in centre field showing all the tenacity and skill that comes with his experience. This bore fruit for Newry on the hour mark when he won a crunching tackle in midfield and gave the ball to McMahon who played a slide rule pass leaving Lowry with a one on one with the keeper. Lowry chosing to shoot early  curled his effort around the advancing keeper and inside the far post to make the game safe at 3-0.

The Newry management were obviously content with this score as Lowry’s reward was to be replaced by Lonnie Larkin as Newry changed formation to play with five across midfield. Lundy made the most of this system which gave him an element of freedom on the wing as his strong running gave the Oxford defence no end of problems. Larkin also took well to his midfield role with some robust challenges displaying what he can bring to the squad.

On the 80 minute mark it was Larkins challenge which released the always available McMahon who waltzed into the Oxford half and whizzed a long range effort which skimmed the base of the Oxford post with the keeper beaten. This near miss was soon replicated when Man of the Match McMahon met a clearance from a Newry corner about 40 yards from goal and displaying terrific technique smacked a volley only inches over the bar.

Like the first half the second was wrapped up with another Barr goal, this time a Lundy effort was cleared to the edge of the box to the ever alert Barr who rifled a left foot drive to the roof of the net to make the final score 4-0.  This has been a great start to the season by the goal hungry Barr who has notched two hat tricks scoring seven goals in three games.

With a number of players unavailable, a strong bench and a winning first eleven Newry manager Darren Mullen’s problem at the moment is one which all winning  teams enjoy, team selection. However, with only three games played no one is looking any further than Tuesday night’s league game at home to St Mary’s @ Newry Showgrounds, kick off 19:30.

Speaking after the match although pleased with his squad’s performance thus far Darren was keen to heap his management team and players praise on the Newry supporters who turned out in big numbers on Tuesday night for the home game and again travelled for this away fixture giving the team terrific vocal support which Darren say’s enthuses him even more given the turmoil the club and supporters have recently endured.

Newry City AFC MOTM: Chris McMahon

Newry City AFC Team: 1.Shane McCoy 2.Niall Crilly 3.Gary McVicker  4.Conor McCaul  5.Paul McElroy 6.Jimmy Walker 7.Paul Daly 8.Chris McMahon 9.Neill Barr 10.Mark Lowry  11.Shane Lundy  Subs: 12. Joel Annett (McCaul) 13.Chris Hughes 14.Chris Smith 15.Lonnie Larkin (Lowry)  16.Gareth Hughes (Walker).

Oxford Sunnyside Team: 1.Jordan Steen 12.Mark Murtagh 3.David McGurk  4. Conor Fox 5. Stephen Kerr 6.Niall Totten 7.Paddy O’Connor  8.Paddy McCrory  9.Kevin Leatham 10.Chris Martin 11.Kieran Headley Subs: 13. R Crilly  14.B O’Loan 15.J Johnston.

Pictures: Brendan Monaghan

(Pictured is Newry City AFC Chairman Martin McLoughlin presenting Jimmy Walker with the Man of the Match award after Tuesday night’s game with Banbridge AFC. Photo: Brendan Monaghan)

Newry City AFC took to the field for their first home game in Mid Ulster Intermediate B league against Banbridge AFC to a tannoy rendition of “The Boys Are Back In Town” – and so it proved as they dominated the match for much of the ninety minutes and ran out very worthy 4-0 winners.

The match was played on an impeccable Showground’s surface and followed much the same path as Saturdays game as for the first twenty minutes the home team had ample chances to score without registering. The first goal scoring opportunity came after only five minutes when Newry Captain Chris McMahon won the ball in midfield and found  John Smyth on the left wing, who displayed a couple of neat touches before unleashing a thunderous drive at goal which flashed past the Banbridge keeper Aaron O’Hagan, only to crash off the underside of the cross bar and away to safety. Shortly after this Niall Crilly was unlucky not to break the deadlock when his glancing header skimmed past the far post with the keeper beaten.

However, the attendance in excess of 200 were soon treated to an early contender for goal of the season. The imperious Conor McCaul made a trademark driving run from from central defence into midfield and played a long ball to Mark Lowry on the edge of the away penalty box. Lowry back heeled the ball to the in-rushing Jimmy Walker, who curled the ball into the bottom corner of the Banbridge net for a picture perfect goal.

Newry continued to create chances in the first half –  the best of which fell to Neil Barr who volleyed into the side netting after a beautifully flighted pass over the defender’s head from Smyth found him unmarked at the back post.

HT: Newry City AFC 1 – Banbridge AFC 0

Barr – fresh from his hat trick in the first game of the season, soon made amends straight from the kick off when a long ball evaded the Banbridge central defenders and Barr nipped in to round the keeper and stroked home Newry’s second goal of the game.

City almost made it three when the impressive Crilly combined with Walker to set up Lowry –  whose fierce drive was tipped over the bar by O’Hagan. Crilly was the provider for the next two Newry chances as first, Lowry headed wide, and then Barr’s goal bound header was hacked off the line by a Banbridge defender.

In the 60th minute Chris McMahon was felled outside the box by a robust Banbridge challenge which displeased some of the vociferous home support. McMahon, however, took full retribution when he dusted himself down and dispatched the resulting free kick into the bottom right corner of the net.

Three in front, the home side continued to press. Crilly – who was causing havoc in the Banbridge defence, beat three men before playing a pin point cross to the head of Barr, who was unlucky to see his effort crash off the underside of the crossbar and fall to safety. This was soon followed by a mirror image chance for substitute Shane Lundy, this time from a Joel Annett cross. Unfortunately for Lundy the ball zipped up off the turf and over his head as he was about to claim a goal. Incessant home pressure had to pay off and on 75 minutes Lowry had cause to celebrate when he ran onto Walkers through ball and drove the ball under O’Hagan for the final goal of the game to make it 4-0.

This was a great all round performance from the Newry team who now sit joint top of the Mid Ulster Intermediate B table with two wins from two games, seven goals scored and no goals yet conceded.

Newry City AFC would like to thank Match Sponsors SGD Distribution and Match Ball Sponsors the Poland family.

Newry’s next match is on Saturday 17th away to Oxford Sunnyside @ 14:15. The next home game is the following Tuesday 20th v St Marys @ 19.30.

 

Man of the Match: Jimmy Walker

Newry City AFC Team: Peter Murphy, Niall Crilly, Gary McVicker, Conor McCaul, Paul McElroy, Paul Daly, Chris McMahon ©, Jimmy Walker, Neil Barr, Mark Lowry, John Smyth. Subs: Joel Annett (P.McElroy), Chris Smyth, Chris Hughes (J.Walker), Shane Lundy (J.Smyth), Gareth Hughes.

Banbridge AFC Team: Aaron O’Hagan, Garth Cargan, Sean McAlinden, Simon Canning, Paddy Finnegan, Paddy Burns ©, Micheal Cunningham, John Lennon, Richard Gartland, Aaron Monaghan. Subs: Mathew Topely, Kyle Mallagen, Martin Burns, Mark Rooney, Mark Madowell.

We recently caught up with Newry City AFC player John Smyth. John who comes from Dundalk currently plays on the left wing and has been involved in the club for a few years now. He was more than happy to answer a few of the questions which we posed to him.

Name: John Smyth
Age: 22
Occupation: General Labourer
Previous Clubs: Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, Woodview, Bellurgan
Biggest Achievement: Playing for my country, Republic of Ireland, from under 15s up to under 19s level.
Position: Left Wing/Centre Midfield/Left Back.
Footballing Hero: Cristiano Ronaldo
What are your interests outside of football? Spending time with my girlfriend Kate and going to the gym.
What is the best ground you have played in? Celtic Park
What would you like to achieve by the time you hang up your boots? Just as much as I can
Who is the joker of the team? Grandad Paul McElroy
Who is the best at training? Jervis McCaul
Who is the most skillful in the squad? Myself
Who has the worst dress sense? Chris McMahon
Who is the best player you have ever played with? Conor Clifford, who was on the books at Chelsea until this year. He now plays for Southend United.
What one word would best describes you as a footballer? Determined
And finally…a word for the fans? Amazing

Bourneview YM 0-3 Newry City AFC (10^th August 2013)

Neil Barr claimed a hat trick as Newry City AFC made their debut on the Mid Ulster stage at Pepperton Park on Saturday against Bourneview Young Men.

The Newry team has been completely rebuilt by the management team of Darren Mullen, Ray Byrne, Jervis McCaul and Mickey Keenan and they must surely have been pleased not only to get the first win on the board but also with the all-round team display.

It was a match which Newry virtually dominated from start to finish. Rock solid at the back, skilful in the middle of the park and powerful up front, Newry were on top in every department. However it was not until the 26^th minute that they were able to convert the superiority into goals. Prior to this the travelling supporters may have been worried that it was going to be one of those days as first Neil Barr had a goal ruled out by a very dubious off side decision by the referee who otherwise had a very good game.  This was followed by a chance for Mark Lowry who latched onto a neat Jimmy Walker through ball only to see his low shot beat both the out rushing keeper but the far post to slide wide. Nerves, however, were soon calmed when John Smyth and Chris McMahon combined in midfield before McMahon skipped past a defender and laid the ball to the feet of Barr who with his back to goal turned and smashed a pile driver which the keeper could only get his hand to but which continued into the far top corner of the Bourneview net.

Newry continued to dominate and on the half hour mark a long cross from Jimmy Walker evaded everyone except the hard working Smyth at the back post who controlled and brought the ball back inside the defender. With everyone expecting a curling shot to the far post Smyth fired a snap shot to the near post only to be cruelly denied when the ball pinged off the post to safety. And the away team were again denied when McMahon again fed Barr who played a one two with his partner Lowry only for his lob over the outrushing keeper to be cleared of the line.

Newry were nearly made to pay for these missed chances soon after the restart when a throw in was flicked on to the head of the Bourneview centre forward Geoff Neill who was unfortunate to see his effort graze the cross bar. This however was the only real threat on the Newry goal and the travelling support did not have to wait long until the points were safe. On 51 minutes Paul McElroy’s defensive header from the half way line looped into the Bouneview box was latched onto by Lowry who controlled and shot only to see his effort cleared of the line. Fortunately the ball fell to the predatory feet of Barr who smashed the ball to the net. And the striking duo linked up again for Barr’s hat trick when Lowry won a contested header and then pressurised the defender into an ill judged back pass which Barr intercepted before placing the ball past the keeper and into the net for his and Newrys third and final goal.

In a very sporting contest Newry were the sharper side throughout with a tough preseason reaping reward. The defence of Crilly, McVicker, McCaul and McElroy marshalled by goal keeper Peter Murphy were largely untroubled but were on top when needed. Up front Barr and Lowry linked well and worked hard but it was in midfield where Newry buzzed. Captain Chris McMahon, Dundalk men Hand and Smyth combined with Man of the Match Jimmy Walker to boss the game and to create many chances which on another day with more composed shooting would have resulted in more Newry goals.

Final word must be saved however for the management and committee of Bourneview who were welcoming host’s for Newry City AFC’s first competitive fixture. NCAFC wish them well for the rest of the season.

Next Fixture: Newry City AFC v Banbridge AFC, Tuesday 13th August. Newry Showgrounds K.O 7:30PM.

Newry City AFC Team: Peter Murphy, Niall Crilly, Gary McVicker, Conor McCaul, Paul McElroy, James Walker, Sean Hand, Chris McMahon ©, Neil Barr (3), Mark Lowry, John Smyth. Subs: Paul Daly (J.Smyth), Chris Hughes, Joel Annett (McElroy), Shane Lundy, Chris Smyth (Lowry).

Bourneview YM Team: Andrew Neill, Ross McDonald, Dale Compton, Tom McClelland, Andrew Topley, David Kennedy, Robert Potts, Wayne Holland, Geoff Neill, Eamon Ligget, Chris Traynor. Subs: David Waterson, Chris Agnew, Ross Gray, Mark Boyce.

Team photo courtesy of Decky McParland