Juniors
The A team bounced back from last week’s Munster Junior Cup defeat with an excellent 5-2 win away to Athlunkard Villa on Sunday morning. This win pushes Newport up to 4th place in Premier A, just 1 point off third and 2 points off second. Moyross still lead the way and we are 9 points behind them. Lee Estate is never an easy place to get a result and despite the scoreline, this was a hard-earned win. The score was at 2-2 at half-time but Newport went up the gears after the break and put in a much improved performance to secure the 3 points on offer. Brian O'Sullivan, Jake Dillon, Seán Ryan, Davy Ryan & Mattie Connolly were on the score-sheet for Newport. Next up for the A team is the trip to Cals Park next Sunday afternoon to take on Premier side, Prospect Priory, in round 3 of the FAI Junior Cup. The out of town stage of the competition awaits the winners. Prospect are currently bottom of the Premier League and Newport won’t be daunted at the challenge that lies ahead but will know that they will have to put in a 100% performance to have any chance of taking a big scalp.
The B team were unlucky to lose 1-0 away from home to an experienced Pallasgreen side, whose goal in the 40th minute proved to be the difference between the sides. It was a disappointing result as the lads worked their socks off and it was a soft goal that was conceded. Again Newport fielded a very young side with 9 of the 13 players involved, aged 19 or younger.
Next Sunday’s fixtures. Junior A, FAI Junior Cup, Round 3 v Prospect Priory, 2pm (Cals Park). Junior B, Div 1B v Charleville B, 11am (Derryleigh Park). Junior C, Div 3 v Athlunkard Villa, 11am (Derryleigh Park). U17A, FAI Cup v Shelbourne, 2pm (Derryleigh Park) with the winners away to Merville Utd (Sligo).
Schoolboys
Our U14A, U14B & U16A schoolboy sides were in action last Saturday. The U14A side recorded an impressive 6-0 win at home against Regional B. Alex O’Toole 2, Nathan Bridgeman 2, Callum O’Connell & Conor Brett were the Newport scorers. Newport have now finished up their league campaign and currently are joint top with Regional A. However if Regional don’t lose their last game next weekend, they will win the league title and Newport will be runners-up.
Meanwhile the U14B side ended their season with a 2-5 loss in the quarter-final of the Div 2 cup at home to Fairview Rangers B. Conor Gavan & Daithí Whelton found the back of the net for Newport. Unfortunately, a depleted U16A side, in their last ever game in the schoolboy ranks, lost 6-0 away to Aisling Annacotty, who were also crowned league champions after the game. However, Newport finished 4th in the Limerick Premier League, which is a fairly decent campaign.
There is only one schoolboy game next weekend, when our U12 (2008) side travel to play Granagh in round 4 of the Skechers National Cup at 12 noon. Newport have done brilliantly to make it to this stage of the competition having beaten Killavilla, Castleisland & Shelbourne in the previous rounds. Newport don’t know what to expect from Granagh but one thing can be assured and that is that our lads will give it a right rattle and hopefully can get the win to make it to round 5.
Schoolgirls
Our U13 & U18 sides were in competitive league action last Saturday. The U13s beat Holycross 3-2 in a very tight & exciting game. Rebecca Moylan (2) and Emma Sweeney were the Newport scorers. Unfortunately the U18s lost 2-3 to BT Harps in another very tight game, with Leah Moran & Ava Shinners on the mark for Newport.
Next weekend’s fixtures. U14 Girls v Killavilla, 11am, (Derryleigh Park). U16 Girls v BT Harps, 12.30pm (Derryleigh Park).
Bagpacking Volunteers Needed
Our annual bag backing fundraiser takes place on Saturday 16th November from 10am till 6pm in Dunnes Stores, Childers Road. This is a great opportunity for our club to raise vital funds. Ideally we would like volunteers to fill two hour slots but even one hour would be greatly appreciated. Please text or call Michelle (086 8330812) Aine (087 6579128) or Jenny (086 8390949) with your availability. Thanks as always for your continued support.
FAI National Draw
We are participating in the FAI National Draw. This is a great opportunity to raise funds for our club with some excellent prizes on offer. Tickets are €10 each and can be purchased online securely via our club app at https://newporttownafc.clubifyapp.com/products/918/purchases/new and are also available from Committee members, team managers, at the Derryleigh Dugout Club shop on Saturdays, Sunday morning lotto stand at Centra, Nicky English Butchers or in O’Sullivan’s Bar. All money raised goes directly to our club. One ticket gets you entry into three separate raffles – a club only draw, a regional draw and a national draw with brilliant prizes. Prizes include; 4 x Ford Fiesta Cars, Trip to the Champions League Final, Premier League game, Away Ireland International, a Weekend in Copenhagen, 1 year’s electricity, Home Entertainment System, FAI Season tickets, Ireland jerseys, various vouchers and lots more. So make sure to buy your ticket soon, as entry closes in early November. Thanks for your support.
Last One Standing
Congrats to Brian Lenihan, winner of our Last One Standing competition, following Man Utd's 3-1 over Brighton on Sunday. Hard luck to Micheál Lenihan & Kathleen O'Sullivan who pushed ‘Chinky’ all the way. The Club's Treasurer, Micheál Lenihan, will personally deliver the €500 first prize to his brother in the UK next weekend. Thanks to everyone who entered the competition and supported the club's fundraiser. We hope to run another Last One Standing competition in the near future, if there's enough interest.
O'Neills Club Gear Online Shop
We’re delighted to announce that our dedicated O’Neills club shop is up & running and you can now order official club merchandise from the comfort of your own home. O’Neills Sportswear is the club’s official and exclusive gear & sportswear partner. The range of top-quality and competitively priced merchandise includes tracksuits, half-zip tops, t-shirts, sweat-shirts, hoodies, polo-shirts, jackets, replica jerseys, windcheaters, shorts, socks, hats and bags for children, youths & adults. All gear displays the official club crest and comes in sizes from children 5/6 years to adults XXL and everything in between. There are also items especially designed for ladies. Click the link to take a look at our online club shop.
Lotto
There was no winner of this week’s club’s lotto and the jackpot is now €800 with the next draw taking place on Saturday, November 16 in Ryan’s. The numbers drawn were 1, 2, 6 & 12. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member, in the local pubs, Nicky English Butchers, the Derryleigh Dugout and at our lotto stand at Ryan’s Centra on Sunday mornings. Thanks, as always, to everyone who supports the club’s main fund raiser.
Clothes Collection
Our ‘Clothes Collection’ continues, so drop your bags of clothes, shoes, handbags, blankets & bed linen to the clubhouse anytime. Just leave them under the canopy and we will recycle them for you. This fundraiser is in partnership with the NCBI – Working for People with Sight Loss. If you need bags collected or have any questions, please contact Sarah on 087 2826155.
