Saturday 22nd October 2022
Kick Off 3.00pm
On Saturday afternoon we begin the second phase of Danske Bank Premiership matches when we travel to Newry for the first time in three years.
With Newry having spent the previous three seasons in the Championship, this will be the first meeting of the sides at the Showgrounds since April 2019. In that game, a first half Curtis Allen brace helped to seal a comfortable 2-0 win for the recently appointed Mick McDermott and his team, while Newry would go on to finish bottom of the table and make an instant return to the second tier.
City have experienced a mixed run of form since the sides last met at the Oval at the start of September, progressing to the Quarter Finals of the League Cup and registering league wins over Dungannon and Portadown but also going down to defeats against Larne, Cliftonville and Coleraine. Although finding themselves in 10th place at present, manager Darren Mullen and the clubs supporters will be encouraged by the six point lead they have already established over the bottom two.
Newry will have to do without on loan midfielder Ciaran O’Connor - scorer of their decisive third goal at Shamrock Park last weekend - as he is ineligible to face his parent club. Midfield protégé John McGovern has been missing from the side through injury since early September and Philip Donnelly and Dale Montgomery also missed out against the Ports. Early in the game, experienced defender Stephen Moan was forced to withdraw with injury, so his replacement Darren King may be in line to start.
Mick McDermott: “Darren Mullen has put together a quality Newry team and no doubt they will be prepared for our visit. Last time at the Oval they made life difficult for us with their pace and energy - they caused us a few problems. We are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and look forward to a competitive game.
We will travel to Newry with a full squad and a large travelling support; no doubt it will be a full house with a great atmosphere. As always, our players will give their all for the fans.”
