And this is one that Darren Mullen is definitely pleased with…

“This move is a long time coming but getting the chance to bring Daniel ‘Dingo Hughes’ home is well worth the wait. He has been our main target up front for a number of years now and returns to us with a vast amount of experience playing at the highest level. I remember taking him down to The Showgrounds along with a lot of the other local lads after the club was wound up and he looked like a lad who could do well in Irish League football. Thankfully he has had a good career so far but has plenty left to give and I’ve no doubt he still has his best years ahead of him. Added to the attacking players we already have at the club Dingo will undoubtedly give us an extra threat in the final third and I’m sure our fans will be delighted to see him back in a Newry jersey.”

Daniel commented “I am delighted to sign back at The Showgrounds. I know most of the lads already from playing with them before and I am excited to have the opportunity to play with my brother Mark again so when Darren contacted me I felt like this was the right move for me to make. Newry is my home town club and I would love to play a part in getting them back to The Premiership. I enjoyed my time playing with Dungannon but it will be great to pull on the blue & white jersey and have a fresh start with Newry City AFC.”

This week Manger Darren Mullen is doubly delighted with the happy return of Goalkeeper Steven Maguire and a new face at the club in Samuel McIlveen.

Mullen commented “With Tucker leaving it left a gap in midfield and Studsy comes to us with plenty of experience in that area. We’ve had a look at each other over the past number of weeks and he has settled in really well. His range of passing and ability to keep possession suits our style of play so he’s a very welcome addition to the group.

Stevie’s return will undoubtedly go down well with everyone at the club. He was a hugely popular player here and played a big part in our success. We need strong competition in all areas of the pitch and with Blaine understandably committed to Armagh Stevie gives us that along with Mark. He’s an excellent shot stopper and his experience at this level could prove invaluable to us.”

Samuel McIlveen “I’m delighted to sign for Newry City AFC. I have been made feel really welcome from day one. I’m fully aware of the expectations of this club and where they want to be and I am excited to be part of the challenge that lies ahead.”

Stevie Maguire “I am definitely excited to be back at The Showgrounds, I really enjoyed my time at Dollingstown but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to get back to my home town club. It is going to be a challenging season ahead but looking at the squad we have I’m hoping we can really push for promotion this season and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Following the addition of Philip Donnelly, Newry Manager Darren Mullen has continued his early summer signings bringing in another new face in Fra Brennan.

“Fra is a very welcome addition to the club. He comes with a huge amount of experience and has already shown how valuable he could be for us this season. I was impressed with him when he played against us so it’s good to have him in a Newry shirt. We need to be a lot more competitive this year and signing players of Fra’s calibre can only improve us.”

Fra commented “I am delighted to sign for Newry AFC, it has been one of the great clubs within our local game with so much history past and present. The clubs re-emergence and the success it has achieved on & off the pitch is something I have admired. I told Darren when signing I was happy that I don’t have to play against his sides anymore as I always found the games against Newry extremely challenging and competitive. Hopefully I can help the club to future success.”

Manager Darren Mullen commented “This is a sad day for the club but Tucker leaves with our best wishes and we have nothing but gratitude for his service over the past seven years. After joining us from local football he excelled at every level we were promoted to playing a huge role in our success. Quiet and unassuming off the pitch he let his football do the talking on it and for me has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the Irish League. We will miss him but he knows that he will forever be welcome at The Showgrounds.”

Oh Tuckshop he is magic he wears a magic hat…..