Manager’s corner (04.9.13)

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.

Newry City AFC Youth Soccer Coaching

Newry City AFC are now offering soccer coaching for both boys & girls every Friday night from the 6th September, 6PM-8PM for 6 – 12 year olds. The coaching will be held at the 3G Pitches in Newry Showgrounds, Greenbank Industrial Estate.

If interested please contact Conlon Morrison, email: conlon@newrycityafc.co.uk or Mobile: 07919592943. Anyone who is interested in joining the Newry City AFC Academy as a Coach is also asked to contact Conlon.

NCAFC Fundraiser event on 28th September

DON’T MISS OUT, HUGE NCAFC FUNDRAISER EVENT!!

Saturday 28th September 8pm, Canal Court Hotel!!

Music by: Showtime, Auction, Raffle and great craic!!

Tickets will be available at the next home game, Friday 13th September v Hanover 7:30pm. Tickets are only £5 & each ticket gives an automatic entry into a draw to win an overnight stay for 2 in the Carrickdale Hotel!

WE need YOUR support!!

Meet The Players: Paul “Mackle” McElroy

In our next edition of “Meet The Players”, we managed to catch up with birthday boy Paul “Mackle” McElroy. Paul has been a vital component of the defence who have managed to keep 4 clean sheets in 5 games so far this season.

 

Name: Paul “Mackle” McElroy

Age: 32

Occupation: Joiner

Previous Clubs: Midway United. Warrenpoint Town. Red Devils. Bohemians. Derrybeg. Rockview and Cleary Celtic.

Honours: Fr.Davies Cup (×2) Bessbrook Cup (×2) League Runners Up. Mid Ulster Runners Up. Division 2 League Runners Up (cant remember the rest)

Position: Centre half

Footballing Hero: Steve Bruce

What are your interests outside of football? Posing for dodgy photographers, golf and having few sociable drinks

If you could take 3 celebrities to dinner who would they be and why? Wayne Rooney, so I can find out where he got his hair transplant. Father Jack, so there’s plenty of DRINK!!! and finally…. Keith Lemon, so he can keep us entertained. SHA TING!!!!

What is the best ground you have played in? Newry Showgrounds (especially for my mate Willie Young)

What would you like to achieve by the time you hang up your boots? Win as much as I can and try to get Newry City AFC up the leagues again!

Who is the joker of the team? Mickey Keenan

Who is the best at training? Joe Campbell

Who is the worst at training? Shane Lundy (sicknote)

Who has the worst dress sense? Gervais McCaul

One song that gets you pumped up for a match? Gangnam Style

Who is the best player you have ever played with? Barry Meehan

What one word would best describes you as a footballer? Committed

And finally…a word for the fans? Keep her lit

Back to winning ways!

Newry City AFC got back to winning ways in this Bob Radcliffe cup first round match away to Dromore Amateurs on Saturday (30th August). Despite dominating for most of the game it took the Newry boys until the stroke of half time to convert the first of many chances and before this they had cause to be glad of the brilliance of Peter Murphy in the Newry goal to keep the score level. Playing with Chris Smyth as a lone striker Newry struggled to create many early clear chances, the best being a glancing Joel Annett header from a John Smyth corner which flashed wide.

Dromore’s best chance of the game came on the twenty minute mark when their centre forward broke free ten yards outside the Newry penalty box with only Murphy to beat. Fortunately the Newry custodian was fast off his line to narrow the target and make a one handed save low to his left. This was the spark that Newry needed as they pressed forward for the rest of the half. First Gareth Hughes set John Smyth free on the left wing. Smyth cut back into the box only to see his low drive saved by the home keeper. At this stage Conor McCaul, who had come on for the injured Sean Hand, began to have a major influence on the game and can count himself unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty when he was upended in the Dromore box. The referee however did award Newry a free kick some thirty yards from goal soon after, John Smyth’s shot again requiring a smart save from the Dromore custodian. However, there was nothing the keeper could do when a diagonal ball from left back David Anderson picked out Jimmy Walkers run on the right wing. In his attempt to intercept the ball the keeper found himself in no man’s land which gave Walker the chance to expertly lob the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net to make the half time score 1-0 to Newry.

No doubt buoyed by this late goal Newry did not take long into the second period to double their lead.  Straight from the restart McCaul went on a mazy run before feeding Walker on the right wing, his cross was met by Chris Smyth who headed over. This chance was immediately replicated when Walkers cross this time was met by a bullet header from Joel Annett which flew past the Dromore keeper and gave the Newry side a two goal advantage.

Murphy made his second splendid save of the match on the hour mark when again he was quickly of his line to give the Dromore attacker little to shoot at as he saved low to his right and was up again quickly to smother the loose ball. This was the only chance Annett and Paul McElroy allowed the home attack in the second half and their dominance allowed full backs Niall Crilly and Anderson to move forward at will. Indeed McElroy almost joined his defensive partner on the score sheet. Anderson’s strong run on the left wing resulted in a corner which John Smyth swung to the penalty spot only for McElroy’s header to be cleared of the line with the keeper beaten.

Newry went 3-0 up on seventy minutes with the best goal of the game. Chris Smyth who had worked tirelessly in attack picked the ball up on the half way line and embarked on a solo run down the right flank before beating a defender and laying the ball back to Gareth Hughes who, from the edge of the box, blasted high to the roof of the Dromore net.  The final goal of the game came with five minutes remaining when Walker, who was at first denied when his shot was saved by Dromore’s  over worked keeper, latched onto the rebound and made no mistake slotting the ball to the corner of the net.

This first round win was built on the foundation of Man of the Match Joel Annett, Paul McElroy and Peter Murphy in the Newry goal all of whom looked rock solid throughout.  Newry, who were without suspended captain Chris McMahon and striking duo of Neill Barr and Mark Lowry were also best served by strong displays from Gareth Hughes, Jimmy Walker, Graeme Edgar and Conor McCaul.

Newry now meet Hanover in the second round of the Bob Radcliffe cup on either 13th (@Home) OR 14th  (Away) September. Newrys next game is Saturday 7th September away to Dunmurry Rec in the 1st round of the Irish Cup.

Newry City AFC Team: Peter Murphy, Niall Crilly, David Anderson, Joel Annett, Paul McElroy, Jimmy Walker, Gareth Hughes, Graeme Edgar, Chris Smyth, Sean Hand, John Smyth. Subs: Ian Curran (Paul McElroy), Conor McCaul (Sean Hand), Paul Daly (John Smyth).