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Newry have made it two from two with a win at home against Belfast High School.
The Blue and Whites established dominance early on with strong carries from Captain Lorcan McComiskey, Joseph McConville and Owen McWall.
Newry looked dangerous with ball in hand, and it didn’t take long for Joseph McConville to score the first try of the game, after a couple of good carries by the forwards near Belfast High School line.
More tries followed with scores coming from Jacob Keenan, Bell and Lorcan McComiskey before the Belfast team replied with two of their own before half time.
The second half fell into a familiar pattern with Ciaran Mathers from none and Conleith King from ten controlling the pace and territory of the game.
Newry's forwards showed great physicality, punching holes that created space for the backs to use their pace and footwork to finish off moves well.
A strong performance from Newry Under 18s to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Final score: Newry 57 - Belfast HS 12
Try scorers: Joseph McConville x 3, Jacob Keenan x 2, Lorcan McComiskey x 2, James Bell, Owen McWall.
Conversions: Ciaran Mathers x 6
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Newry continued their winning streak with a trip to Shaws Bridge, for a replay of what was the Ulster plate final from last season against a talented Instonians side.
With both teams retaining most of their squads from their last meeting, which ended in both teams sharing the title, this was going to be a tough test away from home for Newry.
This was evident in the opening ten minutes, with both teams defences on top, making any sort of possession or territory difficult.
Instonians took the lead after a good kick chase which led to them regathring, then eventually scoring in the corner to lead 7-0.
The Blue and Whites responded almost immediately with captain Lorcan Comiskey, cleverly chipping the ball behind the Instonian defence from a scrum and dotting it down over the line to level the game.
Instonians continued to put Newry under pressure in their 22 and scored another try after good some good ball retention to lead 14-7. Despite the scoreline, Newry started to dominate possession and territory and as the hosts began to tire, Newry’s vice captain Joseph Mc Conville made a brilliant break from the halfway line, to pull Newry level 14-14.
Newry took the lead for the first time just before the break, after retaining the ball in the opposition half and earning a penalty. Ciaran Mather’s slotted the penalty to edge the Blue and whites ahead 14-17.
The second half was characterised with fantastic Newry defence and clinical attack. Conleith King marshalled the Newry attack well leading to Owen McWall deservedly scoring in the corner, after a number of good phases from the forwards to put Newry 17-24 up. With the game in the balance, Joseph McConville’s sealed the win with another great solo effort 17-31. A fine performance from Newry who have made a great start to the season.
Final score: Instonians 14- 31 Newry
Try scorers:
Lorcan Comiskey, Owen McWall, Joseph McConville x 2
Penalties/ Conversions:
Ciaran Mathers x 5
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Newry RFC U12"s travelled to Lurgan for a friendly to accompany the U14s for their league game.
The Blue and Whites fielded 14 players all keen as mustard to get another game under them.
The first quarter started with a frenzy and Newry fronted up in spectacular fashion, all players got their tackles in and got involved. Newry ran out 7 tries to 1 up.
The 2nd quarter Lurgan began to hit their stride and offered stronger resistance but this sparked Newry to play their best rugby of the season.
Newry communication and pace out wide was too much for Lurgan, with Newry running out winners with 4 tries to 1.
Special mention to Ryan McLoughlin who scored his first try with a bullish run carrying 3 players over the line with him.
The 3rd quarter started with Newry going down by 2 tries very quickly, they had to dig deep and tackle hard to prevent further tries. The boys showed guts and determination to not go down further and managed to pull back a try, but ended up on the wrong side 2 tries to 1 down.
After some words of encouragement and a new game plan to combat Lurgan's power at the rucks, the Blue and Whites opted for quick ball and it paid dividends. Newry stuck to the game plan and moved the ball quickly. This was too much for Lurgan with Newry running out 4 tries to 1.
The Newry coaches were really proud of the boys and the way they handled the pressure and came back stronger.
Newry Under 14s narrowly lose out to strong Instonians
In another game of the weekend Newry RFC Under 14s came up against a strong instonians team but none the less Newry showed they were ready for the challenge despite missing a few key players.
The Blue and Whites started the game on the back foot as Instonians passed wide to beat the pressing defence.
Danny O'Hare and Liam Maginess showed their defending capabilities by knocking any player that came within touching distance.
Instonians scored 3 more tries before the break leaving Newry with and uphill task.
After halftime and a quick team talk captain Dara Laverty lead the Newry men out with his restart kicks proving too much trouble for Instonians as Harry Kelly and Carville stopped Instonians from building momentum.
Newry started winning more ball at the the breakdown resulting in more strong Newry attacks that were too strong for the defence allowing Liam Woods who can’t seem to stop scoring over in the corner for Newry first try.
Newry kept the pressure on scoring another 2 tries before to make a real contest of it.
Instonians rallied late on and scored the decisive and final try of the game to give the home side victory. Newry can hold their heads high after this gutsy performance and they can look to build on this for the rest of the season.
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Newry seniors played host to Larne in the their second home game of the new season.
Despite the visitors proving too strong for the home side, there were positives to take from game with the welcome return of Cathal McNally, Sean McCaul and Cathal O’Neill. With a few more experienced campaigners looking set to make a return, in the next couple of weeks, Newry will look to build on the progress made over the last few games.
This was always going to be a season of rebuilding for the Blue and Whites with young players getting a chance to experience Seniors action until the return of seasoned campaigners in the coming weeks.
The season is now up and running and better days lie ahead.
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On Sunday 20 October the Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo junior squad stepped up for the Shinsei champions in the south Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon. For many of their young Judoka this was their first opportunity to test their skills.
In the Mini mons which is the younger section Ziggy Magee and Amber Melling were on their competitive debut and showed their grit with Ziggy winning gold and Amber winning Bronze.
Stepping up to the Kyu grades the club had a team of 6 with a mixture of first and second time competitors.
Charlie Rafferty, Ellen Keenan, Kalal Magee, and Maria Burns-Kimberly received silver medals and to complete the team Carl Keenan, and Karl Law both lifted bronze.
Not to be outdone members of othe club's Masters team Paul McConville, Martin Fearon and Paddy McCambridge entered the prestigious Irish Masters on 26 October. Paul and Paddy both showed the determination and skills to fight their way through to secure gold. Martin returning after a hiatus returned with a very well earned silver medal.
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Newry played host to an experienced Donaghadee side in the hope that they could build on their good form of recent weeks.
The Blue and Whites looked in control with ball in hand, but with a few mistakes saw Donaghadee get easy access into the Newry half.
A turnover gave Donaghadee the first try of the game which let the visitors' winger in to score under the posts. Donaghadee then capitalised again through good defence, forcing another turnover which led to a try.
After a slow start, Newry began to find their attacking threat with good runs coming in the midfield from Nathan Hong and Captain Lorcan Comiskey. Ethan McFerran looked dangerous on the left wing every time he got the ball and after patient attack, Newry’s first score came from close range, courtesy of vice captain Joseph McConville to leave the score at 5-14 at the break.
After the interval Donaghadee crucially scored the next try, giving them a three score lead, which they never surrendered.
Despite the deficit, Newry continued to show spells of great attacking play, with Dillon Crawford making metres from full back and powerful work from the centre.
This was finally rewarded with Callum Butler scoring Newry’s second try of the day.
Donaghadee would see out the game remaining in control to run out eventual winners.
Newry try scorers Joseph McConville and Callum Butler.
Final score Newry U18’s 10 - Donaghadee U18’s 36
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne, alongside Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Sarah Duffy, recently hosted a Civic Reception in honour of Armagh Gaelic Athletic Association All Ireland Champions 2024in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. Local Councillors from both Councils, MLAs and MP attended the reception to mark the historic victory with the players and management along with representatives from Armagh GAA and Ulster GAA.
Speaking at the event Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “It is an absolute pleasure to host this joint reception alongside the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Sarah Duffy, in honour of the remarkable All Ireland Champions. We honour the dedication, teamwork and community spirit this evening that this victory represents. This team has given the fans the most incredible experience this year and memories that will live with us all forever.
Councillor Byrne continued, “The Armagh GAA management team’s strategic vision, unwavering support and commitment to the players has no doubt guided their team’s incredible success. The Council will continue to support the efforts of Armagh GAA and ensure through Council’s Be Active Programme and Financial Assistance Schemes that the sporting talent of the future will be given every opportunity to grow and develop.”
Speaking at the event the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Sarah Duffy, paid tribute to the fantastic achievements of the 42-panel of players on winning the All-Ireland title, saying, “You have given us so much joy this year, achieving the ultimate prize and bringing Sam back where it belongs after 22 years. Congratulations once again to our All Ireland Champions, we are incredibly proud of each and every one for you.”
Each team member was presented with a specially commissioned photograph of the winning team.
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A rugby blitz in Armagh at the weekend saw the Newry RFC Under 12's shine with wins over Portadown, Banbridge and Ballynahinch.
First up in the five game challenge the young Blue and Whites faced Portadown and right from the first kick off Newry meant business.
The first two tackles knocked Portadown backwards and Newry were on the front foot to get the ball and score.
Portadown struggled to match the speed of Newry ball with Newry running out winners by 4 tries to 1.
The second game against a fancied Armagh team was very physical with the Newry boys not giving an inch with players hitting the contact and offloading to support players. Armagh were stunned and were being knocked backwards in the tackles. A few Newry injuries sucked momentum away from the Blue and Whites but the boys faught all the way to end up on the loosing by the narrowest of margins 2 tries to 1.
The third game was against Dungannon, Newry started slowly and took a bit of time to get going. and slipped too many tackles, letting their opponents let dictate the game. Newry rallied from their early setbacks but went down 3 tries to 1 against a robust Dungannon outfit.
With Banbridge taking the field straight after, the Newry lads received some words of encouragement and direction and started at pace against their neighbours. The young Blue and Whites seemed to change gears and let the ball do the talking, spreading the ball wide and sniping from the base of the rucks.
Victory was well earned with Newry running out winners 5 tries to 2 against their more fancied opposition.
The third game in a row saw the Newry lads have to go to the well for energy but they saved the best to last against a decent Ballynahinch side that won the previous meeting between the teams. Newry's never say die attitude really shone through as they gained more and more momentum with each phase.
This was the Blue and Whites' performance of the night with Newry's passing, communication and teamwork steamrolling Ballynahinch to run out well deserved winners 6 tries to 1.
The Newry Under 12 Coaching Team couldn't be happier with the performance of all the boys at the Armagh Blitz and based on this showing the Blue and Whites have a bright future!
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The fulfilment of a dream since he was a child, is moving that little bit closer for Newry boxer Conor Wallace, who has just been signed by Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with Goldstar Promotions and Tasman Fighters.
Based in Brisbane, Australia since he turned professional in 2018, Wallace has an impressive 14-1 record with ten of his wins coming from knockouts. Ranked No.2 by the IBF many consider him to be one of the most exciting Light-Heavyweights on the planet.
Speaking of the signing Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “This is a fantastic signing for us – and one we are thrilled to be working alongside Mick Francis at Tasman Fighters and Spencer Brown at Goldstar.
“There is no denying Conor’s ability and certainly it is going to be hard to stop him. I can see an incredibly bright future for him in the ring and there are many big fights ahead in a division that promises to deliver more fireworks in 2025.”
The 28-year-old Newry-born southpaw is favourably placed across the 175lbs weight class with the WBO placing him at No.5 and the WBC listing Wallace at No.6.
Wallace – who fights next on December 11, live on DAZN – is determined to close in on a World Title shot in a division that is almost certain to open up in 2025.
"I'm very excited,” said Wallace. "I've dreamt about being a World Champion since I was a young boy. That is my ultimate goal.
"I'm looking forward to some huge nights ahead with Matchroom, Tasman Fighters and Goldstar – and I'm fully focused on the job at hand on December 11."
Billed as a “Christmas Cracker” Down Under, Wallace will be hoping to spread some early festive cheer when he faces South Africa’s Asemahle 'The Predator' Wellem, headlining at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia – a hometown venue where Wallace has won on all five previous visits via stoppages.
Tasman Fighters promoter Mick Francis said: "I can’t think of a better partnership in boxing and gives Conor the opportunity to fight here in Australia and around the world as the home side. We are all looking forward to the future.”
Joining Wallace on the December 11 bill is unbeaten Heavyweight Justis Hunni (10-0, 5 KOs), who takes on Argentina southpaw Leandro ‘La Bestia’ Robutti (11-6, 8 KOs) over eight rounds.
Spencer Brown, Founder of Goldstar Promotions added “He is an incredibly skilled and talented fighter – and one I am genuinely excited to be sharing this journey with.
“His stock is already very high Down Under and on December 11, I believe the entire boxing world will put be on notice. Conor is coming for it all.”
You can follow Wallace's journey on Instagram: cpw96
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