RIP Gerry Mulholland

Everybody at Newry City AFC was deeply saddened to hear that Gerry Mulholland had passed away last Monday.

Gerry, always a true gentleman, was a loyal and dedicated supporter of Newry Town/City/ City AFC for more than seventy of his 89 years and had been a club season ticket holder for each and every season since 1945.

Gerry Mulholland and his son Paul (centre) are pictured here with the Premier Cup some months back, alongside Newry players Chris McMahon and Sean McMullan
Gerry and his son Paul (centre) are pictured here with the Premier Cup some months back. Also in the picture is Newry players Chris McMahon and Sean McMullan.

He played a major role, in company with his late Brother Danny, in helping to re launch Newry Town FC in 1945, after the club had been dormant during the years of World War 2.

His help and guidance was also of vital importance when “The Town” lost it’s original spacious senior league ground at The Marshes and the club was forced to construct and develop a new stadium at the nearby Showgrounds, during the 1946-47 period.

During the late fifties , Gerry became a founding member of Newry United FC and helped guide United to a magnificent Irish Junior Cup triumph in the 1961-62 season.

An outstanding member of that superb Newry United team was a teenage goalkeeper Pat Jennings. Pat was showing tremendous form and potential as that 1961-62 season came to a close and he became a magnet for a host of Irish Senior League clubs, both North and South.

Despite fierce competition from some of those clubs, Newry Town FC as a B Division team managed to get the brilliant young local custodian to sign on the dotted line during June 1962. There is little doubt that Gerry Mulholland played a massive role with his enormous influence and persuasive powers in that significant signing for The Town.

After that, on numerous occasions, down through the years the club sought guidance and advice from Gerry and he never failed to respond, offering all the help he could particularly at the Annual General Meetings.

He was at his happiest when Newry Town/City/City AFC was doing well and making progress and was very pleased that his son Paul was also a massive supporter and sponsor of the club.

Gerry’s commitment and loyalty to the club was total and everybody at The Showgrounds will miss his friendship and jovial personality.

Everyone associated with Newry City AFC would like to send our sincere sympathy and condolences to the entire Mulholland family.

Rest in peace Gerry.

Mullen welcomes Marron to the Showgrounds

Newry Manager Darren Mullen is very pleased to add Goal Keeper Martin Marron to his Summer signings. “Martin is another very good signing for us. Although he’s still only 20 he has played for two premiership sides already so he comes with good experience. He will add competition to the keepers we already have at the club and with Micky Keenan’s coaching I’m sure he will become even better. That’s four young local lads we have signed so far and proves that we are now attracting the best local talent back to the club which bodes well for the future.’

Martin Marrron  ‘I’m delighted to have signed for my home club. Newry have been progressing very well and I hope I can contribute to what is already a good squad. I’m also looking forward to working with Micky Keenan who’s an Irish league legend and can’t wait for preseason to start.’

 

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.

New Signings at The Showgrounds

Prior to the season ahead in the new Premier Intermediate League, Manager Darren Mullen has brought in a few fresh faces to add to his already talented squad. ‘I’m delighted we can finally announce our first three signings of the summer. We’ve been working hard over the past month to add some more quality to the squad and these three lads fall into that category. Mark has already played premiership football, Marcus has played in championship 1 and I’ve no doubt Jordan is well capable of stepping up to this level of football. They are all young local lads and needed no persuasion to join what is already a strong squad. Whilst we had a terrific season we need to keep progressing on the pitch and I’m looking forward to seeing the new additions in a Newry shirt next season. Hopefully there will be one or two more signings which will freshen things up going into the new season.’

 

Jordan King “Newry is a great club and I’m looking forward to helping push the team on.
It feels good being back at the club and it means a lot to me knowing I am representing my home town.”

 

Mark McCabe “I am just happy to sign for a great club. I can’t wait to get started into the new season and get to know the lads properly. Hopefully we will be successful in the new league and bring more silverware to the club.”

 

Marcus McKeown “I’m delighted to finally be signing for Newry City AFC, I wish it had happened a few years ago but with injuries, work and university commitments I could never give it my full attention. I know a lot of the current squad and I can’t wait to get playing with them in preseason. It’s been great watching this club rise up the leagues over the past few years, and I’m confident there are still a few jumps to make. I’m also looking forward to playing in front of my Grandad Ray Byrne Senior who loves this club, so that’s a huge motivation for me personally. But I know I’ll have to knuckle down and work hard to even get a place on a match day squad because the footballing talent throughout this club is through the roof.”

 

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

Quiz night in Canal Court

Newry City AFC is hosting a table quiz on Wednesday 8th June, in the Canal Court Hotel at 9.00pm. All proceeds going to the Clubs Academy.

Come along for the craic and help support the club! Academy players & parents are all welcome!

Newry secure promotion to Irish League

Further to the NIFL confirmation of our entry back to the ranks of Irish league football, Newry City AFC would like to thank all our fans, sponsors, members, players and coaching staff for the part they have played in what has been a magnificent season for the club. This is a fitting reward for the terrific work that has taken place both on and off the pitch. We hope to see you all at our awards night in the home of our main sponsor The Canal Court Hotel on the 4th June.