Juniors
Unfortunately the Junior A side’s Lawson Cup game v Northside Legacy was called off due to a frozen pitch. Next weekend, the A’s side begin the second half of the Premier A league campaign when 4th placed Newport, just 3 points from the top, are away to leaders Moyross on Sunday morning at 11am. In the opening game of the season, Newport took a 3-1 lead against Moyross in Derryleigh Park but the city side ran out 4-3 winners with a strong second-half finish. Newport will be hoping to reverse this result on Sunday but Moyross is never an easy place to get a result. However, Newport are on a good run of league form having won their last 4 Premier A games. A win next Sunday would be a massive boost for Newport’s promotion hopes but a win for Moyross would see them putting a bit of daylight between the sides. There will be a large Moyross crowd at the game so we’re calling on all Newport supporters to make the trip into town to get behind the lads for this important game. Hon’ the Town.

On Sunday afternoon, the B team welcomed league leaders Regional Utd to Derryleigh Park and really put it up to the leaders who were made to work very hard to take all 3 points in their 4-3 win. Newport started very sluggishly and conceded in the very first minute from a well-struck free-kick. The visitors doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Newport conceded a second goal from an O.G. At this stage it looked like it was going to be a long day at the office but Newport began to settle and reduced the Regional lead in the 34th minute after some good work between Colin Coleman & Jack Noble down the left, from a long pass from Pa Murtagh ended with Coleman rifling the ball home with his right foot. Unfortunately, Regional made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time when a corner was powerfully headed to the Newport net from a corner. 

In fairness to Newport, they started the second half strongly and were unlucky not to get a second goal when Colin Coleman’s well-struck volley went just over the bar. Newport were well in the game now but the wind was taken out of their sails when Regional scored their fourth with another O.G. in the 56th minute. Newport were now chasing the game and increased the tempo and began to put Regional under pressure and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Colin Coleman scored his second of the game and tenth of the season. The visitors’ lead was reduced to just one goal when Nathan Hartigan’s corner kick ended up in the back of the net via a glance from a Regional head. This made it 4-3 to Regional with Newport on top. Newport looked to have scored an equaliser late in the game but it was disallowed by the ref. Despite their best efforts the equaliser never materialised and Regional managed to hold on to take all 3 points. A poor start to the game was the downfall but the lads will take confidence into their remaining games with their strong second half-performance against a highly-fancied Regional side. Speedy recovery to team captain, David 'Dobs' O'Brien who suffered an injury late in the game and hopefully he won't be out of action for too long.

The C team played neighbours Lisnagry in a local derby in Derryleigh Park on Sunday afternoon but it was the visitors who earned the bragging rights with a 4-1 win. Jordan Ryan scored the Newport goal.

The draw has been made for the Premier A, O’Halloran Cup. Newport’s Junior A side will enter the comp at the quarter-final stage and will play the winners of Murroe v Cappamore in Jackman Park. The winners will then play the winners of Hill Celtic / Aisling Annacotty B v Holycross / Athlunkard Villa in the semi-final. Newport last won this trophy in May 2014 so fingers crossed we can put a good cup run together.

Next week’s fixture. Sunday, January 26, Junior A, Premier A v Moyross, 11am (Moyross).

Schoolboys
Well done to our U15A side who got life in the Premier League off to a great start with an impressive 3-0 win over a good Mungret Regional side in Derryleigh Park today. Sean Chitedze, Aaron Coleman & Conor Molamphy were on the scoresheet for Newport.

The U15 B team also started their season with an excellent 6-1 at home to Mungret Regional B with the goals coming from Cathal Lenihan 3, Conor Gavan 2 & James Moloney.

Despite a good performance the U13s lost 5-3 away to Aisling Annacotty C with Cian English, Zack Mooney & Cathal McNamara on the mark for Newport.

Next Saturday’s schoolboy fixtures. U14 Div 1, Newport Town AFC v Summerville Rvs, 11am (Derryleigh Park). U16 Div 1, Aisling Annacotty C v Newport Town AFC, 12.45pm (Nth Campus UL).

Schoolgirls
Our U14 girls were the only side in action over the weekend and unfortunately they lost 4-0 at home to a very good Killavilla side.

Next Saturday’s fixtures. U11 Girls, Moneygall v Newport Town AFC, 2pm (Moneygall). U13 Girls Premier, Lough Derg v Newport Town AFC, 11.30am (Clarisford Park). U15 Girls, Newport Town AFC v Lough Derg, 12pm (Derryleigh Park). U18 Girls, Midlands Cairdeas Shield, Ballymackey v Newport Town AFC, 1pm (Ballinree).

Lotto
There was no winner of this week’s club’s lotto and the jackpot is now €1,300 with the next draw taking place on Saturday, January 25 in Ryan’s. The numbers drawn were 8, 13, 21 & 29. 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. 

Website Advertising
If you would like to advertise your business on the homepage of our website www.newporttownafc.com please contact Dave Noble on 086 6002534 or e-mail info@newporttownafc.com for details. We will also regularly feature your business on our popular Facebook page, which currently has over 2,100 followers, making it one of the highest-profile pages in the local area.