Report by ‘City Focus’

An attendance in excess of 100 fans and guests jam packed into The Mardyke Suite of the Canal Court Hotel, for the Media Launch of Newry City AFC. Those in attendance included the Lord Mayor John McArdle, Dominic Bradley MLA , Local Councillors, Representatives from The Mid Ulster League & The Carnbane League plus special guest Ollie Ralph.

Q105 Radio Presenter Kevin McAllister who was acting as MC, got the proceedings underway by calling on Newry City AFC Chairman Martin McLaughlin to speak. The Chairman welcomed everybody to the meeting and introduced the Manager Darren Mullen and his assistant Ray Byrne plus the Coaches Mickey Keenan and Jervaise McCaul.

The Lord Mayor John McArdle spoke for some length and expressed his absolute delight at seeing the club reformed.

Others to speak were Brian Naughton (The Carnbane League), Jackie Patterson (Local Councillor), Esther King ( Re City Special Olympics Team), Sean McKevitt (Re New Club Website), Ian McDonald (Re Club Lotto) and club legend Ollie Ralph.

An apology from Danny Kennedy MLA was received but he sent a message of good wishes to Newry City AFC and assured everybody that he would do everything in his power to help the club in the future.

The Club Chairman made a presentation to Dominic Bradley MLA to mark the help that he and the other MLA’s Danny Kennedy, Karen McKevitt, & Mickey Brady had given the club in the past six months.

The new Newry City AFC Jerseys in the traditional Blue/white stripes, plus the new club banners decorated The Mardyke Suite, as City Chairman Martin McLaughlin called on Newry Legend Ollie Ralph to offically launch Newry City AFC amidst thunderous applause from the fans and guests.

The applause continued as “Around A Pound” were announced as the new club’s first sponsor. The local company also sponsored to-nights official launch, that was described by all as a huge success.

Photos from the event:

Images Copyright newrycityafc.co.uk

 

 

 

With the club now officially launched, measures are being put be put in place to prepare for the new season already. The Management Committee have announced that Pre-Season friendly matches have been arranged against current Irn Bru League Cup winners and current Irish Premiership League leaders, Cliftonville. Warm up games have also been set up for Premiership outfit Dungannon Swifts, and two local derby games against Armagh City and Banbridge Town. Times, dates and venues have still to be decided for all of the games mentioned above.

Tickets for the ‘friends of Newry City AFC’ Easter draw are now on sale! Tickets can be obtained from Decky McParland at the official launch of the club in the Canal Court tomorrow night. You can also purchase tickets from any of our management committee between now and Easter.

The prizes are as follows:

1st prize – £100 note
2nd prize – Meal for two
3rd prize – Paddy Power Voucher
4th prize – Box of beer
5th prize – Bottle of spirits

The draw will be made on Easter Tuesday at 7.45pm!

The official launch of Newry City AFC will take place in the Mardyke Suite in the Canal Court Hotel this coming Thursday (7th March) at 7 pm.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill had originally been penciled in to attend the launch but unfortunately he has cancelled. However we are delighted to announce that Newry football legend Ollie Ralph will now be honoured with the fitting opportunity to re-launch the club in it’s new guise.

Everyone is welcome to attend this great occasion. Remember It’s Your City, It’s YOUR Club!!