Newry Seconds Hold Out for the Win
CIYMS traveled to Telford Park on Saturday, following a run of heavy defeats away from home in the league Newry 2nd XV wanted to prove their worth at home against the Belfast side. With the conditions heavy on foot, the Belfast side started the brighter, pinning Newry in their own twenty two for the majority of the first half, with stern tackling from Denis Doyle and Declan Reilly, CIYMS were held to a single penalty making it 3-0 at half time. The game was worryingly looking at continuing the trend of the 2nd XV were Newry would allow the visiting team attack for seventy minutes of the game before putting their pieces together, so with Captain Paul Haughey handing out words of encouragement every player knew the game was there for the taking if they wanted it.
The second half Newry improved immediately, with an enforced penalty for holding on brought the play into the CIYMS twenty-two. A quick line out ball by Connor Cole and Declan Tolan, set up Fearghal Lewis at out half to attack the defensive line, despite being tackled to the ground he was able to pick out first-centre Marty McCabe who dashed through to score Newry’s first try of the day. Newry didn’t wait much longer for the second try, a break by Marty McCabe put CIYMS on the back foot and similar to the first try only this time it was Marty who set up Fearghal Lewis, to run in under the posts for the second try, with both tries converted Newry had a 14-3 lead with 30 minutes remaining.
Newry continued to search for their third try, but it was CIYMS who were next on the score sheet, as Newry went down to 14 men with Donal Farrell Sr having to go of the field with a calf injury, CIYMS were able to add a penalty and an eventual try despite the last ditch tackling from John Matthews, they eventually crossed the line with 5 minutes to go making it 14-13. Some ill discipline by the Belfast side offered Newry a chance to increase the lead in the dying moments of the game, which was converted by Fearghal Lewis, the game ended with Newry victors 17-13.
Newry 2nd XV: J Collins, C Cole, D Farrell, C O’Neill, D Tolan, P Smith, R Gordon, P Haughey, D Reilly, F Lewis, M McCabe, D Doyle, P Nolan, J Matthews, D Armstrong.
Boxing Match Bellinis – Buy Your Tickets Online
Buy your tickets online to the “Fight of the Year” between Newry Rugby and Warrenpoint Hurling. Watch some of Newry’s front pack “heavys” slug it out in the ring, or the whippet backs dance round the ropes!! A great night of fighting and drinking
The event takes place in Bellinis Newry on Sat 14th April and commences at 8pm, tickets are in limited supply and cost only £10
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NEWRY GIRLS EDGED OUT
Newry Ladies team travelled to Ards for their first match in the Ladies Ulster Development Cup tournament last Sunday. The match was played in atrocious conditions but this did prevent not a sizeable contingent of supporters turning up to cheer on both teams. Newry started the match with the wind at their backs and Newry out-half Penny McGovern used the breeze to good effect pinning Ards in their own half in the opening quarter. It was not a day for the backs and in a forwards dominated game, Newry girls, Ashley Gilmore and Lauren Campbell were in tremendous form both in attack and defence. Disaster struck Newry on the stroke of half-time when following a speculative kick by the Ards out-half a cruel bounce evaded the Newry defender and the Ards player, to her credit, quickly followed up and fly-hacked the ball on and managed to get a touch down under the Newry posts. A conversion left the half time score 7-0 to the home team. Newry spent most of the second half on the back foot as Ards used the wind advantage to best effect. However great defensive work by the Newry girls kept them in the match until with several minutes to go they lost winger Annette McCullough to injury and in the closing stages the gaps appeared and Ards ran in two tries to close out the win with a 17-0 scoreline.
This was a great performance by a new team and there is no doubt that the wins will follow in due course. Congratulations must go to team coach Mickey Fegan and captain Maria Hankin for their sterling efforts in moulding a group of individuals into a serious team in such a short period of time. Newry ladies’ next match is on Sunday 12th February. Training is every Tuesday and Thursday 7pm at Telford Park. Come out and give it a go!
Newry XV: A Quinn, M Hankin, N Curran, L Campbell, D Gilmore, R Quinn, P McGuinness, A Gilmore, J Brady, P McGovern, U Mullan, A Crozier, C Magee, A McCullough, K McGovern
