Category: News

Alex O'Brien - Photo Brendan Monaghan Photography

O’Brien Signs at The Showgrounds

Newry City AFC Manager Barry Gray is happy to finish off his January transfer business with the signing of Central Defensive Midfielder Alex O’Brien.

 

Gray commented “It is great to get another player on board. Alex is youthful and hungry to build his senior experience having spent the last four years at Bohemians FC Academy. He brings us much needed defensive cover and we look forward to getting hands on with him on the training pitch and hopefully soon on the main stage.”

Francis McCaffrey - Photo Brendan Monaghan Photography

MCCAFFREY SIGNS AT THE SHOWGROUNDS

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of Francis McCaffrey on a long-term deal.

 

Barry Gray commented “I am delighted to have Fra onboard, Fra is a highly respected Premiership player with a lot of experience. I believe this will be vital to us moving forward into the big head-to-head games.

 

“Fra will add depth and experience and having worked with him previously I know exactly what to expect from him. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch soon and have no doubt he’ll be a fans favourite.”

 

McCaffrey commented “The opportunity to play football in the Premiership again was too good to turn down. I’m happy to be here at Newry, it is a challenge that I am well up for and I can’t wait to get started. I know a lot of the lads and played against them all so I will fit right into squad.”

 

Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

Funding secured for 3G Pitch

Newry City AFC Board of Directors can today confirm that their applications for funding for the development of a new 3G Synthetic Playing Pitch, Floodlights and Fencing for the Club have been successful.

 The new development will be located at the “Back Pitch” at Newry Showgrounds and is the first phase of a very ambitious Strategic Plan for the Club.

One of the main sources of funding for this project is the Irish FA/DCMS Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund. This fund, supported by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is administered by the Irish FA supported by Co-operation Ireland.  The Club also received financial support from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Community Finance Ireland.

Club Chairman Martin Mc Loughlin stated, “Today is a very special day for Newry City AFC and is the culmination of many years of dedicated work by our Board. I would like to personally thank our funders for having the courage to support our Club, namely; Department of Culture Media and Sport, Irish Football Association, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Community Finance Ireland

Martin continued, “This development will have a major impact on the future of our club and will hopefully lead to a very positive influence on all those involved with the club. Our Youth Academy will now have state of the art facilities to develop their plans and we feel this project will attract many new players and coaches to our teams.

The development will enhance grassroots sport in the City of Newry and the South East Region. The new facility will be an asset that will benefit the wider community and enable local people to get active to improve health and wellness in our city.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those people both internally and externally for helping us get to this massive investment announcement today and I look forward to March 2024 when the groundwork for our new 3G Pitch commences”.

Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: “Good grassroots football facilities means a better experience for everyone participating in the game, at whatever level they’re at.

 “This funding will provide 11 new artificial grass pitches and upgrade six existing pitches across Northern Ireland.

 “It aligns with our commitment to support new and improved facilities and, with the hosting of the UEFA EURO 2028 in the UK and Ireland, it is crucial that the grassroots game across the nation benefits from investment too.”

Jamie McDonagh - Brendan Monaghan Photography

MCDONAGH IN ON LOAN

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Jamie McDonagh from Cliftonville on a loan deal until the end of the season.

 

Manager Barry Gray with new signing Jamie McDonagh - Brendan Monaghan Photography
Manager Barry Gray with new signing Jamie McDonagh – Brendan Monaghan Photography

Barry Gray commented “I am delighted to have secured the services of Jamie for the rest of the season, and I’d like to thank Cliftonville for their assistance also. As we build the team and look forward to putting together a fight to stay in premiership, I feel Jamie will really help us deliver on the pitch.

 

“Jamie is an experienced premiership footballer and his quality speaks for itself, obviously he has played for several very established teams and I’m confident that he will be a good fit for us moving into the remaining games. We look forward to getting him in and working as soon as possible.”

 

McDonagh commented “I am delighted to come to Newry, I am pleased that Barry has shown faith in me to sign me for the final 6 months of the season. Obviously I went to Glenavon earlier in the season to get my career back on track and unfortunately with the accident I had that didn’t work out, I now have the chance to do that at Newry and I am determined to use my time here both to get my career back on track to where I was at my pinnacle a few seasons ago and also to keep Newry in the Premiership. I think both of those things can go hand in hand and with the resources that we have here at the club that we can do that.

“I was at the match last week with Cliftonville and was able to watch the Newry performance and hear the backing that they got from the fans, I am sure we can put on more performances like that only with a better result and the fans will continue to be behind us. I am just looking forward to get going now.”

 

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

New Signing Conor Mitchell - Brendan Monaghan Photography

MITCHELL SIGNS AT THE SHOWGROUNDS

Newry City AFC are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Conor Mitchell from Dungannon Swifts on a long-term permanent deal.

 

The 27-year-old moves to The Showgrounds having worked under new Manager Barry Gray at Warrenpoint Town for the last two seasons before moving to Stangmore Park last Summer.

The former Northern Ireland Under-21 international began his career at Premier League side Burnley, a part of the Turf Moor club until 2019, when he returned home to sign for Linfield.

He then joined Larne, helping them secure European football and playing in the Irish Cup Final defeat to Linfield in 2021, before moving to Warrenpoint.

 

Speaking to the club’s media team, Mitchell said: “I’m delighted to be on board and really looking forward to getting started. My aim is to come in and add something to the group, both on and off the pitch, and I believe I can do that.

“I’m excited to work with Barry again. We both know what to expect from each other and the standards that are required so hopefully I can come in and deliver some strong performances and collectively we can start putting points on the board.”

 

Manager Barry Gray says he’s delighted to be working with Mitchell once again.

“It’s great to get Conor done and over the line, again another player I have worked with in the past and a player that has much experience in the Premiership.

“The goalkeeping department has been an area that we needed to strengthen, as we only have one senior keeper, so Conor will be a great addition and will provide us with much need depth and experience in that position. I’m really looking forward to working with Conor again.”

 

Mitchell will go straight into the first team squad for tomorrow’s Sports Direct Premiership match at home to Cliftonville (3pm).

 

Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.