Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA, Justin McNulty and Newry Councillor Gary Stokes this week visited Newry City AFC to see how the club is progressing. It's just a short 5 years after the club was wound up and since then they have come back from the brink and are competing to return to the Irish Premiership.
Following the visit Mr McNulty said, ‘It’s a remarkable achievement by a group of determined and resilient volunteers involved within the club to have achieved what they have achieved over the last 5 years. Men like Darren Mullen and Mickey Keenan are the life blood of the club and have exciting ambitions for the Newry City AFC in this the club’s 100th year.’
‘I was really impressed by the culture of positivity, ambition and pride in the club that was evident and shared between the Groundsmen, Board Members and the Management Team. Every one of them believe passionately in the importance of the club and they are determined to positively contribute to Newry and Ireland with their ambitions for the future.’
Councillor Stokes added, “We really enjoyed meeting men like Kevin Lyons the Club Secretary and Sean Gaffney and Dennis Magennis the Groundsmen. Sean has been with the club since the early sixties and was keen to point out to Justin that some GAA greats have graced the Showgrounds. Men like Johny Corvan, Joe Kernan and Joe Cunningham. And who can forget names like World Great Pat Jennings or the great Ollie Ralph. The Club’s story is an amazing turnaround story. Newry City have come back from the dead and I firmly believe Council should step up and do everything they can to help the Club.”
Mr McNulty concluded saying, ‘Newry City AFC has so much to offer the entire region and they have major ambitions to grow competitively as a club and to enhance their facilities to make the Showgrounds more attractive for visiting teams and for Ladies Soccer and Underage and Ladies Soccer International Fixtures and Tournaments. To achieve their ambitions would be a win-win for the club and for the city of Newry. We support Newry City AFC and will help them anyway we can in helping them reach their goals.’
