Juniors
The B team were the only junior side in action at the weekend as the Junior A Lawson Cup game away to Northside was postponed due to an unplayable pitch and the C team’s game away to Mungret was abandoned after 20 minutes as the pitch became unplayable. The score was 2-2 at the time.

The B’s were unlucky not to get a share of the points when they lost 3-2 at home to Mungret Regional despite a decent performance. The lads just aren’t getting the rub of the green at the moment as a lot of their defeats this season have been by just one goal and this was the case again on Sunday, when they twice came from behind only to concede late in the game and it was Mungret that took home the vital 3 points on offer. This young side are now in a relegation battle to retain their Div 1B status with 7 games remaining.

Mungret almost took the lead in the very first minute but were denied by a great point-blank save from Brendan Coffey in the Newport goal. The visitors did open the scoring in 13th minute with a well struck long-range shot. This seemed to galvanise Newport and they deservedly got back on level terms in the 27th minute after Odhrán Brett got on the end of a pinpoint corner from Colin Coleman to fire home from close range. Newport ended the first half strongly but neither side scored, leaving the sides 1-1 at halftime.

Mungret took the lead again in the 70th minute when Newport failed to clear their lines and their player fired home from inside the box through a pile of bodies. Newport dug deep again and were back on level terms a couple of minutes later when Stephen ‘Speedy’ Carroll got his head to a free-kick from Nathan Hartigan to glance the header past the Mungret keeper.

Newport now pushed on and were unlucky not to score again when Jack Noble raced onto a through ball and his little dink cross to Colin Coleman went inches above Colin’s head in front of goal. Also, Darren Collin's was denied when his goal-bound shot was cleared off the line. Unfortunately, Mungret struck a late sucker-punch when a low long-range shot just went inside the Newport post to make it 3-2 to Newport and this was to be the last score of the game. Another tough defeat for the lads in what’s been a challenging & frustrating season so far.

Next week’s fixtures. Junior A, Premier A, Newport Town AFC v Corbally Utd, 11am (Derryleigh Park). Junior C, Div 3, Dromore Celtic v Newport Town AFC, 11.00am (Rathuard). U17 B, Div 2, Herbertstown v Newport Town AFC, 2pm (Herbertstown).

Schoolboys
Despite a very good performance, the U15A side were unlucky to lose 2-1 away to a very good Regional Utd side in the Premier League on Saturday. Nathan Bridgeman scored the Newport goal.

However the U15B side enjoyed a great 3-0 win away to Aisling Annacotty C to make it two wins from their first two games in Div 2. The Newport scorers were Danny O’Keeffe, Cathal Lenihan & Adam Power.

None of our schoolboy sides have games next weekend.

Schoolgirls
The U16 girls recorded an excellent 5-0 win when they travelled to Knigh to play their first game in almost 2 months. The wind was very strong but the girls controlled the game from start to finish. Emma Kett scored first after Aoife Kennedy put her through. Midway through the first half, Sarah Kelly struck from 20 yds. for the second. Emma Kett then put Chelsea King in to score the third.

In the 2nd half with just the bare 11 players, Caragh Flynn continued to play despite an ankle injury. Our defence shut out Knigh and our midfield moved up which meant Chelsea did not have the room but she still scored a marvellous solo goal. She then turned provider by putting Emma Kett through to score her second of the game. All 11 girls put in a tremendous effort and we're so proud of them.

Well done to team captain, Abbie Lenihan on her call up to training with the Ireland U16 squad. A great achievement for her and recognition of Abbie’s ability & talent. All in the club are very proud of her.

The U14 girls enjoyed a comfortable 8-1 win away to Lough Derg in an excellent display of football. Scorers for Newport on the day were Lauren Bailey 3, Aoife Mellerick 3, Lucy Bailey, Abagail Hickey & Sinéad O’Riordan.

Next Saturday’s fixtures. U11 Girls, Ballymackey v Newport Town AFC, 11am (Ballinree). U15 Girls, Holycross v Newport Town AFC, 10.30am (Glenbane). U18 Girls, Birdhill v Newport Town AFC, 11.30am (Dublin Road).

Lotto
There was no winner of this week’s club’s lotto and the jackpot is now €1,400 with the next draw taking place on Saturday, February 8 in Gleeson’s. The numbers drawn were 8, 11, 17 & 30. 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
Thanks to the big crowd who turned up to support the club’s Table Quiz that took place in Lee’s Bar on Friday night. 19 teams took part in a very enjoyable quiz that went on late into the night, that was expertly compered by quiz-master, Micheál Lenihan. In the end it was the team of Richard Lyons, Ronan Grimes, Aidan King & Frank Ryan who narrowly beat the lads from Bridgetown in a very tight finish.

Thanks to Gaye & James Lee for sponsoring the first prizes and their hospitality throughout the evening. A raffle also took place with a large selection of prizes very kindly donated by the soccer club, its members and local businesses including Ryan’s Centra & O’Sullivan’s Bar. Prizes included a hamper, FIFA PS4 game, vouchers, bottles, sweets & more. Congrats to the winners. Well done to the club’s main Committee who did another excellent job in organising the evening. Thanks also to Ailbe Coffey, Tim Coffey, Tom O’Malley, Mattie Lenihan, Dave Noble & Jenny Noble who worked very hard in the background collecting answer sheets and doing the marking. Special mention for John Ryan who managed to get into more photos than anyone else. We hope everyone enjoyed the night and hopefully we will see ye again next year.

Last One Standing
Last One Standing starts again on Sat, February 22. You can now enter & pay online from anywhere in the world at https://newporttownafc.clubifyapp.com/produ…/…/purchases/new or via the club shop on the Club's phone app. €10 to enter with a chance to win €500. It's easy to play. Before each round, you pick a Premier League team you think will WIN their game. If your team wins, you are through to the next round, if your team draws or loses, you are eliminated. Last One Standing wins.

You can also play by texting or Whatsapp your name & mobile number to 089-4052382 or give your name, mobile number & payment to any committee member, team manager or player by 9pm on Friday, February 21. You can also enter at O’Sullivan’s Bar, English’s Butchers, Kennedy’s Discount Store or at Centra on Sunday mornings. Payment must be paid before Round 1 begins.

Clothes Collection
If you are in the mood to start spring-cleaning, we can help. Our ‘Clothing 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. Thanks for your support. If you have any questions or need bags collected, please contact Sarah 087 2826155.

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.