Newry City U19 2 – 3 Glentoran U19

By Denis Maguinness, Newry U19 Manager 

It’s a funny old game as they say and on Wesnesday night certainly that phrase was on the money.

This was our first proper pre-season game. We had 9 new faces in the starting 11 tonight – all recently signed in preparation for upcoming commencement of the Lisburn u19 league.

Newry certainly started the better team and honestly dominated from the first whistle, but somehow went 2-0 behind. The lads responded positively and kept plugging away. Eventually we got the breakthrough when outstanding centre back Cathail Byrne went up for a corner and scored his first ever goal for Newry. The half time break followed shortly after this and although trailing 2-1, I couldn’t have asked for any more from my side.

Newry deservedly levelled the match early in the second half at 2-2 when super striker Abdul-Azeez Ogunfowora was awarded a penalty for a rash challenge on him inside the box. But he had the composure to dust himself off and slot home the spot kick – his 4th goal in 3 matches.

Newry looked for the winner and totally dominated the play creating chance after chance, but in doing so we were caught on the break and alas conceded a late goal.

Congratulations to all the lads tonight for a great overall team performance.  Paul Carvill, James Smyth, Amara Manuel Ibeh, Cathail Byrne and Azeez were all superb but my man of the Man of the Match went to Gavin Markey who was simply outstanding.