Juniors
The Junior A side were the only junior side in action over the weekend and they got 2020 off to a flying start as they eased into the second round of the Lawson Cup with an emphatic 13-0 win over Abbey Rovers of Div 2B. Realistically, the game was over after 30 minutes as Newport scored 5 times in the opening half hour and led 8-0 at half-time. Credit is due to Abbey Rovers for keeping plugging away but the gulf in class was obvious and Newport another 5 goals in the second half to end up as 13-0 winners. Brian ‘Clemy’ O’Sullivan was the scorer-in-chief with 5 goals, to take his personal tally for the season to 20 and he’s also now scored in the last 6 games. The other scorers were Mattie Connolly (2), Elliott Slattery, Ryan Mawdsley, James Lynch, Kev Connolly, Darragh Carroll & Paul Ryan. Newport will now be at home to Northside in round 2 after they beat Cappamore 3-2. The winners of this game will be at home to Premier side, Regional Utd, in round 3.

Well done to Jake Dillon who was part of the Limerick League Youth squad that beat the Kerry League 8-0 in their first pool game of the FAI Interleague Youth Cup in Jackman Park on Sunday.

Next week’s fixtures. Junior A, Premier A v Moyross, 11am (Moyross). Junior C, Div 3 v Caledonians, 2pm (Rathuard). U17B, Div 2 v Knockainey, 2pm (Derryleigh Park).

Schoolgirls
Our U14 side were the only schoolgirl side in action and well done to the girls on a very impressive and emphatic home victory over Lough Derg on Saturday morning. Scorer in chief was Lauren Bailey with Aoife Mellerick, Orla Rochford, Sinéad O’Riordan & Abagail Hickey also on the scoresheet.

Next weekend’s fixtures. U11 Girls v BT Harps, 11am (Roscrea Road). U13 Girls v Ballymackey, 1.10pm (Ballinree). U15 Girls v Knigh Utd, 1.15pm (Knigh). U18 Girls v BT Harps, 2pm (Roscrea Road).

Schoolboys
The new Limerick Schoolboy season kicks-off next Saturday, January 11. The LDSL have finalised the league groupings for the upcoming 2020 short-season (January to June). The various Newport sides will line up in their respective divisions as follows. The year of birth for the respective age grades are also shown. U16 (2004) – Div. 1. U15 A (2005) – Premier. U15 B (2005) – Div. 2. U14 (2006) – Div. 1. U13 (2007) – Div. 2. U12 A (2008) – Div. 1. U12 B (2008) – Div. 3. U11 (2009) 2 sides – Red & White Groups. U10 (2010) 2 sides – Red & Brown Groups. The younger age groups from U7 to U9 will be allocated their groupings later.

The opening schoolboy league fixtures next Saturday, January 11 are U14, Div 1 v Aisling Annacotty B, 11am (Killonan). U16, Div 1 v Parkville, 2pm (Derryleigh Park).

Best of luck to our U15 keeper, Mark Forde, who’s in the U15 Limerick League squad for their Munster Plate quarter-final versus the Waterford League this coming Sunday at 2pm in UL.

Lotto
There was no winner of this week’s club’s lotto and the jackpot is now €1,200 with the next draw taking place on Saturday, January 11 in McGrath’s. The numbers drawn were 8, 10, 24 & 28. 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. They can also be bought online via the club website. Thanks, as always, to everyone who supports the club’s main fund raiser. 

Table Quiz
The club’s annual table quiz will take place in Lee’s Bar on Friday, January 31 at 9.30pm. Entry will be €40 for a table of four. Please support this important club fundraiser, which is always great craic. There will also be a raffle on the night for lots of prizes including small hampers, O’Neill’s club merchandise, FIFA 2020 Playstation game and lots more. Be sure to pencil the date in your diaries.