Welcome Back
Football for our schoolboy / schoolgirl players (U18 and under) returned on April 26, when we once again re-opened the gates to Derryleigh Park. It’s been a long 4 months since our players & coaches have been in Derryleigh and there was great excitement that football was back (hopefully for good this time). It was great to welcome everyone back home. Our adult junior players will also be back training after May 10.

As was the case prior to this lockdown, the club’s health questionnaire MUST be completed by all players/parents before each training session via the Club App. Players must come togged out as the dressing rooms won't be open. Please bring your own labelled water bottles.

ONLY players & coaches are permitted inside the astro-turf. We would ask ALL parents to please NOT CONGREGATE and to stay in your own car on your own if you must stay during training. This may be very important during any Covid tracing procedure.

Lotto
There was no winner of this week’s club’s lotto and the jackpot is now €1,450 with the next draw taking place on Saturday, May 8. Numbers drawn on Saturday, May 1 were 1,3,5,28. Three x €20 lucky dip winners including one online. Carmel O’Donnell (Online), Majella Coffey & Andy Gleeson. You can enter the club lotto online at the club’s website or buy a ticket at our stand in Centra Newport on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings or from any committee member. Thanks to everyone who bought a ticket.

Newport Online Community Bingo
The final night in the current run of the Newport Online Bingo took place last Saturday night and was another huge success with hundreds of players taking part and over €1,900 in prizes won on the night. The last 10 weeks have seen families from Newport and as far away as Switzerland and lots of places in between take part and have great fun during lockdown. The Bingo was organised by Newport Community Centre in conjunction with Newport Town AFC and Newport GAA Juvenile Club and all three organisations would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part. We look forward to seeing everyone again later in the year when we plan to relaunch the online bingo.

O’Neills Online Club Shop
There are new items added to our O'Neills Club Gear range in time for the return to training. Be sure to check out our online club shop to see the club range that includes NEW training tops, half-zips, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, hoodies, bags, jerseys & ladies gear. Order online and get items delivered directly to your home. FREE delivery on all orders over €50.

Last One Standing
Our Last One Standing competition was a welcome distraction during the lockdown. 191 players entered and after round 7 took place at the weekend just 6 players are still standing and in with a chance of winning the €500 prize.

Clothes Collection Resumes
Now that Derryleigh Park is re-open, our popular ‘Clothes Collection’ resumes. Are you clearing out wardrobes or de-cluttering? We can help. Drop your bags of clothes, shoes, handbags, blankets & bed linen (NO duvets) to Derryleigh Park, Mon-Fri, 6-9pm and Saturday mornings. Just leave them in sealed bags under the clubhouse canopy and we will recycle them for you. If you have any questions or need bags collected, please contact Tim Coffey on 086 3935244. Spread the word.

FAI Summer Camps
FAI Summer Soccer Schools have announced the provisional dates for the 2021 Summer Camps. All going to plan, we hope to have two camps in Derryleigh Park. July 5-9 and August 16-20. Booking isn't open yet, but we will keep you up to date as soon as we hear.

Derryleigh Park Pitches
Great work was recently carried out on the pitches in Derryleigh Park in anticipation of the return to play. Both grass pitches were spiked, sanded, brushed and seeded to ensure that the playing surfaces will be in top class condition when games return. This is very expensive but essential maintenance and until further notice the pitches are completely out of bounds to everyone. We appreciate your co-operation. The wait will be well worth it.

Advertising Opportunities in Derryleigh Park
We are now offering businesses & services the opportunity to advertise on customised signage prominently displayed on the astro-turf fencing in Derryleigh Park. With almost 30 teams in the club and close on 500 players, with training resuming, there will be a high number of visitors to Derryleigh Park every week and this is a great opportunity to promote your business and at the same time, support our club. If you require details of the packages available, please contact any committee member, e-mail secretary@newporttownafc.com or call 087 6504779.