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The Modern Tyres Ulster Rally at the weekend produced not one but two important champagne moments for the thousands of fans who attended the two-day event and witnessed the action unfold.
Competing in a Volkswagen Polo R5, the Welsh pairing of Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson conquered wet roads, greasy country lanes and bone-dry asphalt to end the nine stages with a lead of over two minutes to clinch their first-ever win in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The rally victors inherited top spot early in the second day after Desi Henry and co-driver Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) bowed out with steering damage. That put Evans and Jackson in the lead by 23 seconds which they would go on to extend over the remainder of the event. With the endline in sight, though, they decided to dial their speed back so as not to get caught out by the changeable conditions evident in the Newry and Banbridge areas.
“I was driving the last few stages really slow – it felt horrible if I’m being honest,” said Evans. “I found myself listening out for noises and thinking the worst. Fair play to Josh, though. He was doing that all weekend; having to avoid everything is no fun. It is so good to finally get the win. There are a lot of good names on this trophy, so to be a part of that wow, yeah, awesome!”
There were also celebrations taking place in the Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes camp. They did what was asked of them at the Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece by completing both the Friday and Saturday legs well inside the points scoring places to be crowned Irish Tarmac Rally champions for a second time. Their first title was secured as a partnership back in 2018.
“I’m over the moon with the result,” said Moffett, who resisted the temptation to push for a podium on the Ulster – something that has been a regular occurrence for the Hyundai i20 R5 driver across this season. “I had to knock it back a few gears this weekend given what was at stake – I had to keep that in mind. Getting to the finish is such a relief. It was harder to drive this way this weekend but we weren’t prepared to take any chances,” he added.
Reigning Northern Ireland Rally champion Jonathan Greer had been expected to challenge for the win but an overshoot early on Saturday effectively killed off any prospect of that happening and so holding on to second place became the priority for the Carryduff man. Rally newcomer Jason Mitchell did not make life easy for him, however, as he steadily grew in confidence with every passing mile sitting alongside Paddy McCrudden.
A slow puncture three stages from the end – which Greer and Niall Burns elected to continue driving on rather than stop and change – briefly elevated Mitchell into the runner-up spot only for Greer’s experience of competing at the sport’s sharp end helping him to wrestle it back.
Stuart Biggerstaff – the son of Denis and himself a former Northern Ireland Rally Championship title holder – bagged fifth from the fresher Ford Fiesta R5 entered by Niall Henry. Another surname well-known in local motorsport circles graced the top 10 as Michael McGarrity safely brought his father Derek’s Skoda Fabia R5 home in seventh from Marty Toner (BMW 1 Series) in eighth and the two Ford Escort Mk2s of John Devlin and Camillus Bradley in ninth and tenth.
In addition to Desi Henry, Alan Carmichael (Hyundai i20 R5) and modified driver Damian Toner (Ford Escort Mk2) were among the big-names who failed in their efforts to make it to the finish ramp at Modern Tyres’ state-of-the-art facilities at Carnbane Industrial Estate. Toner had been on course for a top five result but a crash on the very last stage put paid to that.
Speaking after the event, Event Director Philip Murray said: “Once again, the team at Northern Ireland Motor Club have pulled off another fantastic Ulster Rally. My congratulations go to them and also rally winners Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson, and new Irish Tarmac champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes.
“I must also say a special thanks to our sponsors – Modern Tyres – and the tireless band of volunteers and marshals, without whom running the Ulster Rally would not be possible,” added Murray. “It was great to see so many fans out on the stages, in and around the service park, and at town centre regroups across both days. We look forward to seeing them again in 2023.”
Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Top 10 results
1 Meirion Evans / Jonathan Jackson (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) 1h 30m 17.5s;
2 Jonathan Greer / Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2) + 2m 5.3s;
3 Jason Mitchell / Paddy McCrudden (Ford Fiesta Rally2);
4 Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5);
5 Stuart Biggerstaff / Anthony Nestor (Ford Fiesta R5);
6 Niall Henry / Barney Mitchell (Ford Fiesta R5);
7 Michael McGarrity / Damian Garvey (Skoda Fabia R5);
8 Marty Toner / Ben Teggart (BMW 1 Series);
9 John Devlin / John McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2);
10 Camillus Bradley / Crawford Henderson (Ford Escort Mk2).
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He Could see the rider up the road ahead.
A few months ago he’d been cruising past men like him and so Marty Lynch got his head over the handlebars, switched down a couple of gears and ordered his legs to get to work.
But they didn’t.
The power wasn’t there like it had been before and, as the man up ahead disappeared out of sight, Marty searched his troubled mind for the reason.
Maybe he had trained too hard? Maybe he hadn’t trained hard enough? Maybe he needed a new bike? Masters (over-50s) cycling was his latest sporting vice.
He’d always been gifted. In his early days, Marty was an All-Ireland champion runner and as he grew to six feet tall his muscular frame filled out and he maintained that athleticism.
He came through the ranks at Newry Mitchel’s, played for Down minors, captained the U21s to the Ulster title and became a fixture in the senior side, he played at Croke Park, he played in the League of Ireland, he was a star for Newry Bosco, a Newry Celtic legend, a national cycling champion…
But out on the road that day he felt like something had changed and that scared him. It was April of last year when he first felt the pains at the top of his legs.
In the first two races of the season he’d done well but by the end of the month the king of the roads was struggling to keep up. “I was getting dropped out of races, I wasn’t even competing,” Marty explains.
“The bunch was getting away from me. I thought it was the bike and I actually went and bought a new bike for five and-a-half grand. I thought that would sort it out but boys that I had been beating going up hills were leaving me for dead… I was saying to myself: ‘There’s something not right here…’”
The pain didn’t leave him and the nagging feeling that something was amiss, that he had lost control of his body, began to grow. One of his evergreen cycling club team-mates celebrated their 60th birthday with a trip to the Let’s Go Hydro waterpark.
Marty joined in the craic as always but as he pulled himself out of the water he felt something go ‘click’ in his right hip and when the boys went out in Belfast that night the 58-year-old was struggling with an “awful limp”.
A couple of weeks went by and his son, a physiotherapist, suggested that arthritis might be setting in and so Marty went to see his doctor who sent him to another physio but, after an x-ray, no arthritis was detected. Marty knew in his gut what the problem was.
“I knew it when I started limping,” he says. “When I was growing up I loved [Celtic winger] Jimmy Johnstone and he died of ‘motor neurones’ so the name always stuck in my head.
“Then, two or three years ago, I saw [England Rugby League international] Rob Burrow on breakfast TV. He has ‘motor neurones’ and I noticed the way he was walking.
The limp he had… It was the exact same as mine. “I told them (his family) from the word go that I had motor neurone disease and they thought I was cracking up.”
But the doctors couldn’t confirm his fears and the not knowing took a toll on his mental health. A painter all his life, he had started a new job as a driver with Translink and to his horror he struggled to move his foot between the pedals. “I had to lift my leg up off the accelerator and onto the brake – it wasn’t smooth at all.
I didn’t have control of my movement and my leg would be shaking,” he explains, then adds with a sigh: “I was getting scared and I wasn’t sleeping at night – I had a wee breakdown.” He had an MRI scan but nothing sinister showed up.
He says he could “feel it spreading” and began to lose power in his right arm. “It was crazy, I was sitting, staring up at the ceiling worrying and worrying,” he says.
When he was told he might have to wait 12 months to see a neurologist he told his doctor he feared would be dead by then. Thankfully, things moved quickly and he did see a neurologist at Daisy Hill Hospital four days later.
He had a lumbar puncture and then an electromyography test to detect the electric potential generated by his muscle cells. It suggested what he’d suspected all along and in April – a year after he’d first shown symptoms - a consultant in Dublin confirmed his worst fears. He had motor neurone disease.
He'd like to be able to say that things have improved since the diagnosis but sadly that hasn’t been the case. “I have rocketed downhill since April,” he says.
“And I mean, I’ve been flying downhill.” He could walk in January, in February he began to lose his balance but right up until June he could stand up and use his walker.
On June 18 he walked across the pitch to the cheers of the crowd at a charity match that was held for him. Now, with the power in his legs gone, he is confined to a wheelchair. “It’s getting scary,” he says. “I can feel it coming into my voice now too.
If I was lying in bed on my back I’d be choking, the muscles are weakening round my neck and I’d be gasping for air and I’d have to turn over on my side so I can breathe better. It’s not simple as turning on my side because my legs don’t move. It’s a horrible, horrible disease, it’s terrible.”
His wife Rosaleen has joined us.
On the wall across from where she sits is a picture of her husband winning a race on his bike. He’s way out in front with a group chasing after him. “From the person he was to now…” she says sadly but, like Marty, she’s strong and up for the fight.
The day after they got married in 1984, Marty led the Down U21s out for the All-Ireland semi-final against Cork and Rosaleen has been with him every step of the way since.
Marty’s GAA career began with Newry Mitchel’s at the age of nine and he had to prove his worth against the blue-eyed boys from the grammar schools to force his way into the Down minor team.
After the U21s he was called into the Down senior side and established himself at corner-back until he stepped away in 1988. “Jackie McManus took over as manager and I just didn’t think I would fit into his plans,” he says.
“The boys called for me one Sunday morning to go to training and I told them: ‘Go on ahead’.” If he’d got into that car he might have an All-Ireland medal now. Pete McGrath took over from McManus and Down went on to beat Meath in the Sam Maguire decider in 1991. Marty bumped into the team before they left for that game.
“It was Rosaleen’s birthday and we went out and the whole Down panel was in McLogan’s having their meal before they headed to Dublin the next day for the All-Ireland final,” he recalls.
“I knew everybody in the room. Mickey Linden was stealing chips off Rosaleen’s plate! At that moment I just felt part of it, I knew them all, I had played with them all so it sank in then: ‘God I would love to be walking down the stairs with them boys and getting on the bus to Dublin…’
“But here, such is life…” The love for the GAA came from his mother’s side. His uncle Damien Callan was the first winner of the All-Ireland Poc Fada and he hurled for Louth alongside his brothers Jimmy, Paul and Eamon. But his father was a highly-regarded soccer player and Marty inherited his ability.
He played a dozen seasons for Newry Celtic and won practically everything there was to win with the club: league titles, the Mid-Ulster Shield, the Bessbrook Cup, the Fr Davis Cup, the Gerard Kennedy Cup… He had a season for Monaghan United in the League of Ireland too. The highlight was drawing Derry City in the FAI Cup at the Brandywell. “We scored first,” Marty recalls with a smile.
“There was 10,000 in the ground – maybe only 200 Monaghan United fans – but such a roar went up when Brendan O’Callaghan scored. We lost 4-1 but the Derry fans cheered us for scoring first, it was brilliant.”
After a spell away from Gaelic football he returned with the St John Bosco club in Newry and won the Down intermediate championship and when the time came for him to hang up boots that had covered countless acres, he wasn’t short of invitations to go into management.
His first club was across the county line in nearby Camlough with Shane O’Neill’s who were then an unknown Division Four outfit in Armagh.
Marty, a strict disciplinarian, guided them to promotion but the following year he quit unceremoniously over some of the team playing soccer the day before an important relegation match. He returned to Newry Mitchel’s for two seasons and then Shane’s came back and asked if he would be interested in returning.
“They told me: ‘We’ve a train full of good passengers and we need a good driver’,” he says. “There would have been a few boys saying: ‘This fella walked out on us the last time’ but I had learned my lesson and it was the best time of my life.
“The soccer thing was knocked on the head, the boys all knew where they stood and we went from the fourth division right up to Division One and stayed there.
“People would have been saying: ‘Who’s these wee boys from Camlough?’ But we were standing up and beating the likes of Cullyhanna and Armagh Harps. It was a fantastic season.” He left the club in a good place and they’ve never looked back.
Marty Lynch is still revered in Camlough and last weekend when the players celebrated promotion they asked him along to enjoy the moment with them.
He took his former club Corrinshego to promotion after leaving Shane O’Neill’s and then fell in love with cycling and mountainbiking. Along with Des Woods and Henry O’Neill, he won an Ulster team medal and went on to the national championships where the trio won an Irish Masters title as well. “To get a national title so late in life was brilliant,” he says and then reality comes crashing home:
“But then the disease kicked in and this is where we are now.”
SPORT – watching or talking about those glory days – is a welcome release, a distraction from the medication, the wheelchair and what the future may hold. He has had to learn to take each day as it comes.
“It was very hard to get your head around it,” he says. “Your mind still thinks you can jump out of bed. When you wake up in the morning you think you’re still what you were a couple of years ago.
“Then you realise you can’t. Getting assistance, carers coming in to help you… It’s hard, it really is hard but friends call and take me for a spin or out in the wheelchair and you start talking and all the things that I can’t do go into the background.
“Everything everyone has done for me has been brilliant – it just gives me a massive, massive lift to think that there’s people out there who are so good. The support I’ve got is fantastic, it really is.”
Former team-mates and friends have rallied round to do whatever they can. There have been fundraisers for Marty held in New York and Australia and Newry Bosco, Newry Celtic and Shane O’Neill’s have held events him for him recently.
Next weekend he’ll manage the Celtic Legends team against Warrenpoint Town. Marty’s grandson Lorcan will be among the Celtic greats like John Collins, Danny McGrain, Joe Miller and Brian McClair playing that day.
He has been overwhelmed by the goodwill and kindness shown to him. His former employer Joe Fox gave him a specially-adapted van to use and his friends have installed ramps, changed the house around and are raising funds for an extension of his home in Newry.
“It gives you a reason to live,” he says.
“There’s so much good out there. “It’s the finger of fate. I’m not going to complain about it. I have no regrets, I’ve had a great life – how many people have played at Croke Park or played at the Brandywell? I’ve played League of Ireland football, county football, I’ve got national medals in cycling, when I was a kid I won All-Ireland medals as a runner... Not too many people had all that and I’m very grateful that I did.
“I’ve got a brilliant family. My sons Kenneth and Ryan are reared and they never brought trouble to the door. I have grandchildren now and I’m spending time with them making different memories. I go with them round to the park – I can’t kick the ball back to them but I have great fun with them and it gives me a quare lift to see them getting on with life.
“Lorcan is coming 15 and I go to every match he plays. He’s in the Down U15 team and he plays with the Bosco and Warrenpoint Town.
“If I had been at myself I probably would have missed a lot of it because I’d have been saying: ‘I’ve a race today’ but now I build my day around them.” WHAT does the future hold? He’s on the list for a treatment which, while it won’t reverse the damage MND has done to his nervous system, could slow it down.
“They say what’s lost is lost, the nerves won’t regenerate,” he says. “But if it slowed things down and that helped somebody else to get a cure down the line, I’m more than happy to do it.
"If there is a breakthrough it would be good to know that you have contributed in some way. I know I’m not going to get better, I know I’m never going to get on the bike again but I would love to be able to walk the dog around the block again. That’s my ambition.”
We’d all love nothing more than to see that happen and while he waits to find out whether he’ll be suitable for the treatment he reminds himself of the life he’s led up to now and the things that make him happy.
He looks at that photograph on the wall – the cyclists chasing him as he breaks for the finishing line – and smiles.
“One thing I would tell anybody now,” he says: “If you have a chance to compete and be the best, you should go for it – grab it, seize the moment.”
Because none of us know what’s up the road ahead.
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FOOTBALL NEWS
U7 Football:
Our U7 boys and girls travelled to Killeavy this morning. As always, some fantastic skills on show and all the hard work by the kids at training is really paying off.
Thanks to all the parents and coaches for their continued support!
U9 Football:
U9 boys fielded three teams on Sunday against Burren in st marks. The opposition were strong but the boys tried their best and played very well
LADIES FOOTBALL NEWS
Junior A Championship final
Saul 1-8
Cumann Pheadair Naofa 1-5
On Saturday 10th Cumann Pheadair Naofa face Saul in the championship final, held at St. John’s Drumnaquoile. These two teams have faced each a number of times this year in what have always been closely contested matches. In a very cagey opening, the first score of the match didn’t arrive until the 14th minute, a point from Saul. Things remained very tight for the remainder of the first half, with teams unable really make the most of the scoring opportunities that did come their way. Half-time score was Saul 0-3, Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-1.
Things started to open up a bit in the second half, with both teams seeming to get into their stride. Saul managed to open a bit of a gap, with the first goal of the game & looked as if they were in control, however the Blues were not about to lie down. The Warrenpoint ladies’ pressure paid off, when they were award a penalty, which was very coolly slotted home, to reduce the gap between the two teams. Although the gap was reduced, Cumann Pheadair Naofa couldn’t close it completely & any score by the Warrenpoint ladies, was matched in kind by Saul. Saul eventually taking the honours by 3 points.
U14s Ladies
Warrenpoint u14 ladies brought their summer league to a close at Milltown this afternoon. Hosting near neighbours Burren in wet and slippery conditions, the girls got off to a fine start taking some nice scores as Burren probed at the other end grabbing a few scores of their own. The Blues hit the net 5 times in the 1st half with a number of well taken points to go into a decent lead at half time.
The second half saw a few changes from the bench and the Blues were able to maintain the lead.
In the end all our substitutes got some game time without affecting the outcome of the game and securing the points. 6 wins from 7 games is an excellent return from the summer league and a credit to the girls for their hard work.
Well done girls
Support The Lotto
Our lotto sales are something which has been supported by loyal members for years and it continues to help fund club activities and help towards the running of our ever growing club. Now it is easier than ever before to buy a ticket, simply log ontowww.klubfunder.com and search for Warrenpointgaa. £1 a week makes a massive difference to us, please support the lotto and even try and sell some. Current jackpot is £600
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Final preview
All roads lead to Newry this Friday night as the hurlers bid to start a unique double for the parish and annex the Fr Mooney Cup ahead of our footballing brothers bid for the Frank O’Hare cup a week later.
It hasn’t been as smooth a journey to the final as most would’ve expected. Being most people’s favourites to reach the final, both Castlewellan & Kilclief have had victories over the blues throughout the summer months as the blues spluttered and stammered to get their game plan up & running. But under the guidance of Sylvestor & Marty, aided with some top-quality guest coach’s, competition for places has been the highest it has ever been with team spirit and self-belief becoming extremely infectious within the camp. And like the footballers, everyone in Warrenpoint anxiously await the end to a thirteen-year Hurling drought and a sixty-nine-year Football famine.
Gabriel Bradley of Pizza-Point congratulates Mark Rafferty, senior Hurling captain, chairman Larry Byrne and senior committee members Colette Lock & Gerry O’Neill on reaching the county Final and would like to wish all involved the best of luck on Friday when they take on Castlewellan for the Fr Mooney cup.
Many thanks to all those who supported the coffee morning in the club. It was great to see so many faces enjoying the craic & banter.
U7
Well done to the U7s who were at the all county blitz in Downpatrick on Saturday. They played brilliantly & had a great time, lots of happy faces.
Football
*U9 Football*
A great turnout Sunday morning for the U9 matches vs Rostrevor in Rostrevor. Some great displays of teamwork, tackling, passing and scoring.
Ladies Football
U12 Champions
What a way for our U12 ladies to end their season….by bringing home silverware to Warrenpoint from the Clonduff U12 LGFA tournament.
After four difficult games our girls played Tullylish in the shield final. Stand out moments from a tight game include Leah Campbell scoring the winning point and our keeper Ellen McCormick making a match winning save at the end.
All our girls were fantastic on the day and have been throughout the season. The coaches are delighted with the work put in by the girls and their development over the season
It was fantastic to see Cora O’Hare lift the shield for her teammates at the end, a big thank you to our hosts Clonduff for a great day. #SuperBlueLadies
G4MO
The ladies' latest excursion took them to near neighbours Mayobridge, yesterday morning. The good weather conditions gave the ladies a great opportunity to really showcase their ever burgeoning skillsets. Over the course of matches against Rostrevor, Mayobridge, Longstone & Glenn, the ladies displayed excellent teamwork with everyone putting in a good shift, leaving nothing behind!
Many thanks to hosts Mayobridge GAC for a well organised event & a great spread afterwards, to help top up the energy levels.
Christmas Orders
Order forms available now from The Kabin, Lindas, Tuck Shop & Duke off sales, also available on club website- Downloads
Order Days & Times, all in Clubrooms - no orders after Sunday 9th October
Monday 3rd - 7.45pm to 9.00pm
Tuesday 4th- 7.15pm to 9.00pm
Wednesday 5th- 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Thursday 6th- 7.00pm to 9.00pm- upstairs
Friday 7th- 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Sunday 9th- 7.00pm to 9.00pm
New items this year include - Aussie vests, hurling jersey, new ladies home jersey, backpack, new style - polo, T- shirt, half zip and hoodie, ladies jacket and sliders.
Support The Lotto
Our lotto sales are something which has been supported by loyal members for years and it continues to help fund club activities and help towards the running of our ever growing club. Now it is easier than ever before to buy a ticket, simply log onto www.klubfunder.com and search for Warrenpointgaa. £1 a week makes a massive difference to us, please support the lotto and even try and sell some. Current jackpot is £6400
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Bradley NI is a community focused, estate agency providing superior property solutions across Down and Armagh through its network of offices in Rostrevor, Warrenpoint, Newry and Belfast.
Bradley NI Managing Director Garrett O’Hare said “We’re delighted to launch this new Club sponsorship which will deliver a new training top for Men’s Senior and Ladies Senior teams and will also be available for purchase in time for Christmas from the Club Shop.
“The Club is a Centre for Gaelic games in the village and surrounding areas but it is also the hub of the local community, delivering a wide range of social and wellness activities for all members. We’re delighted to be able to support the work of Club over the next three years of this sponsorship deal and beyond,” Garrett added.
Club Chairperson Martin Daly added: “Local business support is critical to funding and growing the activities St Bronagh’s GAC can offer and we’d like to thank Garrett and Bradley NI for their commitment to the Club through this new sponsor partnership.”
The new Bradley NI training jersey design will be launched on social channels this weekend ahead of Christmas Order Night (10th October).
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Are the stars aligning for Lissummon in their 50th anniversary year?
On Sunday, the Lissummon men’s senior team meet Derrynoose in the Armagh Junior Football final and, although the Derrynoose players and supporters will say otherwise, you could be forgiven for thinking that Lissummon’s name is already on the cup.
Small but rock solid, the rural mid-Armagh club is celebrating the golden anniversary of its most recent incarnation. The Lissummon ladies have already captured the Division Two League Shield this season and what better way to celebrate half-a-century than by bringing some more silverware back to Leish Road, the club’s home since 1992.
The name Lissummon comes from the Irish Lios Iomana – Fort of the hurling – and the GAA first established roots in the area in 1908 when the Clann Quinn camogie team was formed. The Ruairi Ogs hurling team followed in 1909 and the first football side – Ireland’s Own - took the field in 1925 after Tommy McGailey came to the fore as a driving force in the community.
In 1934, the club had six players lining out for Armagh but hard times followed and, without the numbers to field a team, Lissummon went out of business, was reformed for a few years but then faded away once again.
The arrival of Fr Pat Cassidy as Parish Priest was the catalyst for the formation of the current club. Fr Cassidy was community-driven and, with input from local men including Phelim Quinn and Peter O’Hagan, the decision was taken to make a fresh start.
News of the atrocity in Derry on ‘Bloody Sunday’ dominated the airwaves on Sunday, January 30, 1972 when Peter Makem (a future Armagh manager) and Paddy Murtagh hand-delivered the application to restart the club to the country board and the club has become the heartbeat and epicentre of the community since then.
With just 156 registered members, Lissummon natives will argue convincingly that theirs is the smallest club in Ireland. Apart from the club grounds and the chapel a mile or so up the road you could drive through the area without ever knowing you were there.
The primary school closed in 1995 but the Lissummon people have an infectious passion and pride for their club and community that enables them to punch way above their weight.
“The club really is the focal point of our community because we have nothing else,” clubman Niall Murtagh explained.
“We’re convinced we’re the smallest club in Ireland, we have to be. There are no pubs or shops or anything like that, we have the chapel and the football pitch and the club. When the primary school closed in 1995, local children were scattered to schools all over the place from Poyntzpass to Glenn to Cloughreagh to Camlough…
“So the club is vital, the only reason children know their neighbours down the road is through the football and the community association which runs the youth club over at the football club. Other than that, we’d have nothing.”
Community ties are unbreakable. You can take men and women out of Lissummon, but you will NEVER take Lissummon out of them so invariably their children return to their roots to wear the club’s green and gold jersey when they come of age.
“You can see that in our line-out now,” says Niall.
“People whose parents are from Lissummon have come back and played for us so they can hang about with the natives and they’re considered to be Lissummon people. Our star player now would be a prime example and there’s plenty of others. He lived outside Lissummon all his life but his da’s from Lissummon and you couldn’t call him anything but a Lissummon man. It’s a family thing.
“And our lady-folk have brought back some good footballers too. In fact, we’re thinking of bringing in a rule that you’re not allowed to get involved with anybody unless they can play football!”
The ladies are doing it for themselves too of course. Lissummon were one of the pioneers of the ladies’ game in the mid-1980s and teams have flourished in the club since. Lissummon won their most recent title (the intermediate championship) in 2020 with four county regulars in their line-up and this year captured the Division Two shield.
IT hasn’t all been plain-sailing since 1972. There were hard times when Lissummon vied with their neighbours Mullabrack and O’Hanlon’s Poyntzpass among others for Armagh’s wooden spoon.
But, driven on by the pride of their parish, Lissummon reached their first junior final in 1987 and there were unforgettable scenes of celebration when they captured the championship for the first in 2004.
Niall played in midfield that day and Paul McCaffrey, club chairman in the golden jubilee year, lined out at right half-back.
“What a year this has been,” says Paul.
“It’s the people, it’s the community, that’s what makes the club what it is.
“We have had good and bad times, ups and downs, and this year is a very good one. We have had dark hours before this year and at one stage we thought we were heading for an amalgamation. But there’s no talk of that now!”
Off the pitch, regular events have punctuated this anniversary year beginning in January with a 24-hour charity spinathon and continuing with a commemorative Mass in February. During the summer the club was overwhelmed by the interest in the Lissummon tour.
“The community spirit is even more noticeable this year,” says Niall.
“You’d see people turning up at matches you wouldn’t have seen for a few years and people are far more vocal at the games. Events have been far better attended than they have been for a number of years.
“The anniversary seems to have struck a chord with people. The exhibition we had was a great success and so was the tour of all the old pitches – there’s a rake of them around this area and most of them don’t look anything like a pitch!”
Club chairman Paul says he’s privileged to be at the helm this year and is proud of how the committee, members and the entire community have overwhelmingly supported the club.
“I’m very grateful to everyone,” he says.
“A special word of thanks to all our sponsors, especially our main sponsors Thomas and Paul O’Hagan. There has been a tremendous buzz around the club seeing families, local and from afar, players, coaches and associates past and present coming together.”
Niall Murtagh’s excellent book ‘Once Upon a Time in Lissummon’ (based to an extent on the painstaking record-keeping of his dad Oliver, also a former Lissummon player) was officially launched this weekend. The imaginative, fact-filled and brilliantly illustrated book tells the Lissummon story from its origins to the present day.
Current and former players and supporters will gather at the club for the launch and to look ahead to Sunday’s final and the 50th anniversary celebrations will reach their climax on November 12 with a Gala Ball.
So are the stars aligned? No favours are given on the football field but win, lose or draw on at the Athletic Grounds Lissummon has so much to celebrate and be proud of.
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Newry Ladies 2-1 Parkview Ladies
A well-deserved home win for the Newry Ladies Hockey 1XI who took on Parkview Ladies at the weekend while the men took home a win from their Mossley outing .
This was the ladies first match in their new Puma kits sponsored by SMET Building Products.
Parkview won pass back but it wasn’t long before Newry intercepted and won procession, creating numerous chances but were unable to score. With only minutes to go until the end of the first quarter, Parkview entered the Newry circle and made a pass to their left winger who put them one nil up.
In the second quarter, Newry remained strong and gave Parkview no chances. Eager to equalise, Newry made some fantastic play and worked well to keep posession but were unfortunate not to score.
Going into the second half with Parkview down to 10 players, the Newry ladies kept pushing forward with centre back Rebecca Murdock passing the ball to mid fielder Carolyn Ferris who took the ball around multiple Parkview players before making a lovely pass to right winger Yasmin Muldrew who put the ball in the back of the net. Parkview had little chance of getting another goal due to the strong defence from Lisa Murdock and Abbey Haire. It wasn’t long before Newry secured their second goal when Yasmin Muldrew took a shot on goal but was deflected onto Carolyn Ferris’s stick who put Newry 2-1 up. With minutes until the final whistle, Newry missed out on a last goal when right midfielder Kathryn Baird passed a beautiful ball up to left winger Rose Clarke who got a deflection but the ball rebounded off the keeper.
Newry dominated from start to finish and showed great determination throughout, resulting in what was a great win for the ladies.
Team: Kathryn Baird (Captain), Laverne Inns, Katie McCullough, Chrissie McCauley, Abbey Haire, Zara Moffett, Emma-Jayne Moffett, Lisa Murdock, Suzanne Gilmore, Carolyn Ferris, Rose Clarke, Sara Adams, Rhianna Hale, Stacey Kidd, Rebecca Murdock, Yasmin Muldrew
Mossley 1’s 0-1 Newry 1’s
Newry travelled to Mossley on Saturday in their opening game of the new Premier League season. It is always a tough fixture but Newry managed to come away with all three points after a narrow 1-0 win.
With players still to come back into the squad Newry had to execute the game plan well to get anything from the game, and they did just that. They forced a number of short corners early in the first quarter but with little success coming from them. Mossley started to come into the game more but a tight defensive unit saw them come up short in front of goal. Josh Porter worked tirelessly up front and it was his unselfish running which won Newry another short corner, John Taylor firing it home low into the bottom corner to give Newry a 1-0 lead at the half way mark.
The home side came out strong in the second half and were camped in the Newry half for long periods. However they still could not break through the Newry defence who kept the chances to a minimum and any which did get through, Richard McGivern in nets was able to keep out. With time running out and Mossley getting more desperate Newry were able to hit on the counter but could not find a second goal. The final whistle did eventually come for Newry who recorded their first win of the season at their first attempt.
Team|:
R. McGivern, D. Barlow, D. England, C. Henning, A. Baird, N. Lutton, J. Taylor, J. Greer, J. Porter, C. Large, A. Irwin, G. Moffett
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Newry Olympic Hockey Club launched their new kit for 2022-23 at the weekend at their clubhouse on the Belfast Road.
At the launch, Chairperson Brian Lockhart said “The club is delighted to partner once again with SMET Building Products and with new team sponsor, Advance Fasteners from Hillsborough. Their support for the senior teams in the club for the next two years will make a huge difference in helping the teams prepare for the new season and will allow the coaches to focus on playing matters on the pitch. It’s great to have the support from these two successful companies who are leaders in their particular fields and who have a long association with the club.”
Brian continued, ”the club has also signed with Teamwear Ireland as our official playing kit and leisurewear supplier for the next three years. This shows the determination and ambition within the club committee to continue to develop the club at all levels. Teamwear Ireland are the number one teamwear suppliers in Ireland and we’re looking forward to offering the latest and best equipment to our senior and junior members which I’ve no doubt will help performances on the pitch.”
Brian’s words proved to be spot-on as both the Ladies 1s and the Mens 1s had terrific wins in their first outings in the new kit! Hopefully the start of great things to come for the season.
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Last month the Judo Northern Ireland Pathway Squad training rolled into Warrenpoint.
The Pathway programme is the developmental programme to help the clubs youth develop into the high performance athletes of the future.
The program is spearheaded by Judo NI enhancement officer Jim Toland and Stephen McCluskey, both are very accomplished competitors and highly respected coaches.
Aoífe Reavey was awarded an official Pathway member patch for her Gi (Training Jacket). Aoífe has been a recent addition to the Pathway training. Aoífe regularly trains at Shinken Shobu Ryu club in Warrenpoint and our sister club Hashi Judo Kai in Mayobridge. This is the next step in Aoífe's Judo Journey.
Check out their Judo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SSRJudo/
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