Gavin Conn is delighted to sign for Newry City AFC “Now that my transfer officially gone through I’m looking forward to kicking on and playing football. It’s a good club with good facilities that play the game the right way, that’s the way I like to play which made the move to Newry right for me.”

Newry Manager Darren Mullen commented “Gavin is a very welcome addition to the senior squad. He comes highly recommended by Gary Redpath and has already shown in training that he is well capable of pushing for a first team place.”

Gavin was introduced to Newry by Reserve Manager Gary Redpath who added “Darren likes what he has seen of him in training, we both have no doubt that if Gavin keeps performing as he has done he will get his chance in the first team very soon. Technically a very good player, he is good in the air, he’s quick and is a good talker. All that means he has great potential. We will get him to be a little more physical and I expect he will have a great future at Newry.”

Newry Manager Darren Mullen is delighted to have Mark back at the club. “He played a huge part in our progression throughout the past 3 years and scored some vital goals for us. I’ve yet to see anyone as quick as him in our league and he is more than capable of playing at this level. I’m sure the fans and those that have played with Mark will also be glad to see him in a Newry jersey again. His recent performance in the Bessbrook Cup showed he deserves to be playing at a higher level. I’d also like to thank the management of Newry Celtic FC for their cooperation in allowing Mark’s transfer.”

Mark Lowry also commented “I can’t wait to pull the Newry on again and get back scoring and making goals for the club, though I am just glad to be back playing for the team I’ve always wanted to play for. It’s a privilege to sign back to a team full of talented lads and management.

A game which from an early stage looked likely to be won by a solitary goal turned out that way but it will be how Newry City conceded the goal which ultimately cost them the points in Limavady on Friday night which will most annoy Newry manager Darren Mullen as he muses over his teams 5^th consecutive loss. With just over an hour gone and Newry in possession midway inside the Limavady half a calamitous decision to pass the ball the whole way back to Peter Murphy in the Newry goal went disastrously wrong when the back pass fell hopelessly short finding only the loitering Limavady striker Robbie Hume in acres of space which he made the most off, first to draw Murphy from his goal line before drilling the ball into the net despite a valiant attempt by Kevin McArdle on the goal line to save the day for Newry.

Before that the game was largely level, Newry holding the upper hand in the opening quarter without creating many clear-cut chances, an effort from Jimmy Walker from the edge of the box which flew over the Limavady cross bar the closest they came to turning that dominance into a goal. It took the home side almost 30 minutes to test Murphy, Colin Murray crossing for Robbie Hume, his snap shot parried away by the Newry keeper. In a competitive first half in which debutant Marcus McKeown showed up well for Newry the final chance fell the way of Limavady and Hume, the striker running onto a long ball which took him behind the Newry defence only to find Murphy quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Newry started the second half the brighter side creating two quick fire chances before Limavady got out of the blocks. The first was started and almost finished by McArdle, winning possession deep in his own half before breaking forward swapping passes with Mark Hughes before shooting low across goal, the Roesider’s keeper Paul Wells deflecting the ball around the post for a corner. Minutes later and Newry had an even better chance created by some inventive thinking between Walker and Marty Havern, Walker lining up to swing a free kick to the back post instead slipping a straight pass into the path of Havern who swivelled to shoot alas straight at Wells.

While Limavady grabbed the opening goal shortly after the hour mark courtesy of that gift from Newry the visitors responded well and almost equalized straight away, McArdle once more pressing forward, feeding the ball wide to Hughes before making his way inside the Limavady box to get on the end of a Hughes cross unfortunate to steer his effort wide with Wells beaten. Pushing for the equalizer Newry committed men forward and carved out a great chance for substitute Timmy Grant, Walker once more providing the ammunition finding Grant in space to run on goal before trying his luck from the edge of the box forcing a fine reflex save from Wells to deny the Newry man. Pushing men forward will always leave a team exposed at the back and Newry almost paid the price with time running out when Hume got the better of the last Newry defenders but could not beat Murphy who produced a fine save to leave the final score 1-0 to Limavady.

Accepting that his team are on a bad run of results Newry manager Darren Mullen was able to take some positives from the game “Although it’s another defeat there are plenty of positives to take from this game. We had eight players missing and only four fit players on the bench so to play the way we did away to last season’s league champions gives me plenty of encouragement. I thought Marcus McKeown had a terrific debut considering his lack of fitness and Ryan Quinn also showed he is fit for this level on his debut. We started the game really well and had a couple of half chances that we should have done better with. Our shape and work rate were good but we just need a bit more quality and composure in the final third. Unfortunately, 20 seconds of madness have cost us dearly. However, I couldn’t have asked much more of the lads with their reaction to the goal and it showed the fighting spirit that had been lacking in some of our previous defeats. I have no doubt with some luck, players returning and possibly one or two new signings we will turn things around. I would also like to thank the fans for their magnificent support on what was a long journey and hopefully we can get back to winning ways to give them something to cheer about.”

Newry City now travel to play Bangor on Saturday 7^th January, kick off 3pm. Newry City travel club bus will leave The Stonebridge at 1pm, all welcome.

Newry City: Peter Murphy, Kevin McArdle, Jordan King, Ian Curran, Neil Mullen, Thomas McCann, Marcus McKeown, Martin Havern, Keith Johnston James Walker, Mark Hughes. Subs: Ryan Quinn, Mark McCabe, Timmy Grant, Sean McMullan.

With one game left to play in 2016 and after losing our last four games in all competitions it would be fair to think that there is an air of despondency about the club. Whilst recent results certainly haven’t been good enough and need turned around sooner rather than later, the mood amongst our group is nothing but positive. We all know we can play a lot better and once we have a full squad to choose from I have no doubt performances and results will return to those as per the early part of the season. It’s also easy to forget the magnificent year that we have had after achieving our initial goal of returning to Irish League football. To be sitting 4th in the league and still be disappointed shows how far we have come but also serves as a warning in not to be getting ahead of ourselves.

This is a really tough league and one where you get punished when not performing at a high level. That said we now know we are well fit for this league and certainly have not been well beaten by any side. It’s a steep learning curve for players and management but one that we must adapt to quickly to allow us to progress. We have a really good group of players who are proud to pull on the Newry jersey and I can’t fault them for their attitude or commitment. It’s during testing periods like this that you learn more about your players and also myself as a manager but I have no doubt we will all look back on this run as an experience that made us stronger.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players and coaching staff at every level throughout the club for the contribution they have made this year in ensuring the club is progressing. We need a constant flow of good young local players that are fit to play senior football and I know they are working hard to ensure that happens. I would also like to thank our committee and match day staff for their support and dedication in what is a voluntary role. Their work off the pitch means that we have a better chance of success on the pitch. Good sponsors are hard to find but we have been very lucky in that respect and we really do appreciate their continued support.

Finally I would like to thank our supporters for their unwavering support. We have given them plenty to cheer about over the past 3 years and hopefully that continues in 2017. On behalf of the players and coaching staff I would like to wish everyone a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Yours in sport,

Darren.