champions: mid ulster under...

CHAMPIONS: MID ULSTER UNDER 15s

Copyright Lurgan Town FC 2015

Congratulations to Phil McKinley, Robin Carson and our MU15 side on winning the Mid Ulster U15 League Cup -

their second trophy in 2 years. Victory came in the form of a 4-1 win over rivals Craigavon City; and the goals

from Aaron Winters (2) and Lewis McKinley (2).

Town where placed into group 2 of the League Cup and the competition

has been running since January. They started slowly with a 1-1 draw

against Damolly. Aaron Winters with the goal. In their second game of

the competition they again drew (2-2) this time against Windmill Stars.

Jonny Russell and Aaron Winters picking up the goals. Knowing only a

win would allow them to progress in the last group game, the boys

turned on the style with a comfortable 4-0 win over Armagh City. Aaron

Winters picked up a hat trick for his 5th goal in the competition and

Adam Loughran scored the other. The semi final was another close

encounter but Town managed a 2-1 victory over Valley Rangers. Lewis

McKinley and Jack O’Neill taking the boys to the final against Craigavon

City. A week later Town where defeated on penalties in the Shield Final

“It takes a lot of people to make a winning

team. Everybody's contribution is important”

NEWS IN BRIEF

CONGRATULATIONS GARETH AND CLAUDIA

Congratulations to U13 manager Gareth

Maxwell on his recent marriage to Claudia

McMillan. The two lovebirds tied the knot on

Monday 13th April. We hear he is opening a

Banbridge camp of Lurgan Town FC ??????????

NIBFA FINALS DAY

Congratulations to our Lisburn League U11 and U12 sides on reaching

the NIBFA Finals day. Both finals will be played at the Cookstown

Sports Arena (Mid Ulster Sports Arena) on Monday 4th May.

Under 11 v Portadown Youth - NIBFA Cup Final - KO 1.30pm

Under 12 v St Oliver Plunketts - NIBFA Plate Final - KO 12.00pm

DATES SET FOR AWARDS CEREMONIES

The following dates have been set for the

annual awards days. All will be held in the new

clubhouse at the Lurgan Town Arena.

Junior Awards: Saturday 16th May

U11s & 12s

10am - game time / 11am - awards and BBQ.

U13s & U14s

11.15am - game time / 12.15pm - awards and

BBQ.

U15s, U16s & U17s

12.30pm - game time / 1.30pm - awards and BBQ.

Senior Awards: Saturday 6th June

Academy Awards: Tuesday 16th June

Under 11s

Under 12s

FOOTBALL PSYCHOLOGY

Pictured right is head coach Robert Davidson along-

side Tom Bates, head of football psychology with

West Brom. Robert was in attendance at a recent

workshop led by Tom which will be delivered to all

Lurgan Town coaches in the new season.

DON’S DID YOU KNOW? LURGAN TOWN FACTS

This months did you know should give you an insight to the players and teams that make up our club. There are some interesting facts in here… #1 In total, 9 players have been signed by professional football clubs in the mainland. They are in order Nicky Houston (Peterborough Utd), Scott Gordon (Southampton), Sean Lavery (Leeds Utd), Daryl Smylie (Newcastle Utd), Niall Henderson (Gretna), Sean Mackle (Hearts), Scott Gibb (Falkirk), Trudi Harbinson (Arsenal Ladies), Daniel Wright (Wolves). #2 Phil McKinley is the oldest player to have scored a hat trick for the senior side. It came in 2009 in a 3-1 away win over Ballymacash Rangers. Phil was 38 at the time. #3 There are 2 sports represented in the club badge. Football and greyhound racing. The greyhound in question is Master McGrath, three time winner of the Waterloo Cup and arguably Lurgan’s most famous export.

#4 So far this season, 6 players have stepped up from the junior section to represent the seniors. They are: Feidhlim McDonald (U16s), Matthew Hosty (U17s), Scott Wiltshire (U17s), Dylan Hoy (U17s), Sidney Tavares (U17s), Tiarnan Judge (U17s).

#5 Of the current senior squad, 5 players have played for the club from U10 through the ranks up to the 1st / 2nd Teams. They are: Aaron Parks, Matthew Johnston, Gareth Cousins, Ryan Cousins and Geoff Greenaway. Loyalty at its finest.

#6 Lurgan Town have won 5 trophies this season. (U9's Lurgan Shamrocks Tournament, U10's Michael Heaney Memorial Tournament, U11 NIBFA Northern Ireland Cup, U12 NIBFA Northern Ireland Plate, U12 Castle Juniors Plate, U15 Mid Ulster Youth League Cup).

#7 The top 13 leading goal scorers have amassed 179 goals between them this season… so far. 6 teams are represented in the top 10 (MU13, LL13, MU14, MU15, LL16, Seniors).

#8 Town Seniors have used a total of 52 players this season, for both the 1st Team and 2nd Team. This is the lowest since the 2007/08 season when 49 players where used.

#9 Town’s longest serving player is Geoff Greenaway. He has played at every age group from U10 to Seniors and is also the current U16 coach.

The first evening of the

new batch of soccability

sessions was a raving

success. 12 young men

joined coaches Phil

McKinley and Gareth

Maxwell for some

soccer fundamentals

and game time. The

sessions are held every

Thursday night from

8pm to 9pm on our new

3G pitch. If you would

like to attend please

contact Philip McKinley

on 07753 93507 for

more information.

SOCCABILITY OPENING NIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS

THE LONG WAIT IS OVER

Back in October 2013, it was announced that

Lurgan Town and its Arena pitches would

receive a huge £461,000 financial investment

from the Department for Social

Development. This money was used to lay a

new purpose built 9-a-side 3G pitch, erect a

new clubhouse and improve existing

floodlighting and car parking facilities. 18

months on and that work has finally been

completed, much to the delight of us all here

at Lurgan Town. As you can see from the

picture, our home looks fantastic, and we are

proud to boast some of the best facilities in

the country.

Saturday 4th April - Jackpot £125 - No Jackpot Winners / Two 3 ball Winners

Saturday 11th April - Jackpot £150 - No Jackpot Winners / No 3 ball Winners

Saturday 18th April - Jackpot £175 - No Jackpot Winners / No 3 ball Winners

Saturday 25th April - Jackpot £200 - No Jackpot Winners / Two 3 ball Winners

LARNE YOUTH TOURNAMENT REVIEW

On Easter Monday our U9, U10 and U11 sides travelled to Larne to take participate in their annual

tournament. Although no trophies were won, the boys and coaches had a fantastic day. Check out the

pictures and a few words on how the guys got on.

Under 10

Under 11

Under 9

Lurgan U9s were drew in what was the toughest group of the

day. Game 1 we played Celtic Boy's and after some great foot-

ball found themselves 2 down after hitting the post and cross-

bar. They finally got 1 back but was not enough as Celtic ran out

2-1 winners. Game 2 Town played Larne Youth and were quick

off the mark with Dylan getting 2, Jessie also getting 2 and

Callum getting 1 Lurgan were back on track. In game 3 Lurgan

played Crumlin Utd and blew them away with an 8-0 win. Goals

from Christopher (2), Matthew (2), Dylan (2), Josh (1) and Liam

(1). Game 4 was against Carrick Rangers. They where a lot more

resilient until Aaron broke the deadlock and with some great

saves from Connan Lurgan knew they had to put the game to.

They did that with goals from Jessie (2) and Christopher. Game

5 was the final group game against Bertie Peacock in a game

that both teams needed to win. Lurgan struck first with a crack-

ing strike from Dylan. After some great passing peacock were

level and after throwing everything up for the winner Lurgan

were caught as peacock went 2-1 up but Town were not fin-

ished. Jessie and Dylan making the Bertie Peacock keeper work

very hard but in the end the couldn't get the goal and Bertie

Peacock went through with Celtic Boy's. A big think for the

vocals from the parents as a great day was had by all.

The Lisburn League U11 squad endured a

difficult day at the Larne 7 aside tournament on Easter

Monday. The boys had been playing really well in the

run up to this competition however the format of 7

aside with 10 minute matches, along with smaller nets

and pitches than they are used to, just didn’t work for

them. Through no lack of effort the lads only managed

one win and 2 goals in 4 games (scored by Jake Turner

and Jack Harvey) resulting in a short day out. Team:

Bradley Brown, James Maguire, Jack Harvey, Issiac Baird,

Jake Turner, Tom Leathem, Harry Norton, Dylan Stewart.

U9 Town Team: Connan, Josh, Aaron, Liam, Callum,

Christopher, Matthew, Dylan, Jessie.

The U10s performed very well, finishing 2nd in their group.

They beat Carniny in the 1st game 1-0. Jamie Stringer with

the goal. The 2nd game finished 0-0 with Roe Valley. The

3rd game also finished 0-0 with St Oliver Plunketts. In the

final game in the group we lost to a good Carrick Rangers

team 2-1. Bobby Harvey scored our goal we just missed

out on a quarter final spot as one of the best runner ups.

Team was Dylan Emerson, Brandon Boyce, Krisy Cassells,

Jamie Stringer, Bobby Harvey, Ben Hendron & Patryk

The team is shaping up well. Now is the time for the money makers, the lads who ultimately win the games - Striker Nominations as follows:

Neville Gorman - Nev was a bit of an enigma. I could never work out if he actually liked me or not. He was tall and very strong for his age (around U16-U18) and he started out at centre back in front of me. He was more than competent there but he shined up top. He was as mentioned, strong and great in the air. Hard to knock off the ball and was clinical. Enjoyed the aggressive and physical side of the game. First player I ever observed scoring 5 goals in the one game!!!

Mark Wright - Bagwell was a bit of a lose cannon. On top of that he has a cannon of a left foot. Back in the day he was interested in football, he was like myself a poor loser. He liked the ball ultimately to feet, he moved it out quickly from underfoot and hit it like a bullet. As he got older

he seemed to lose interest in the game.

Colin Gilliland - Gilly, although I don't often see, is a gentleman and a friend of mine. A well mannered and humorous lad off the pitch and a workhorse on it. At the Town it was U18 level. He was quick, agile and versatile. His greatest asset was the same as Greg Stewart, his intelligence. He could read a game well and was a true asset up front. Never quit. Loved to run with the ball and deadly in a 1 on 1 situation. Good in the air for a lad that wasn't that tall. Was gutted when he went to his hometown club. Really believe Lurgan Town lost a quality player…who knows how many he’d have got at the town.

Matt Irvine - Matt had everything you could want in a footballer. Tall, broad, strong. He was quick and agile. His movement was top drawer. Hard to knock off the ball once on it. Held it up quite well too. What Matt lacked was a killer instinct which would come with aggression. He just needed to add that to his game and who knows.

Lee Dickson - Was Dicko a Keeper, a winger or a striker. I’m not sure even he knows / knew. The sort of lad you would want around your club. A real mischievous streak and took an enormous amount of abuse, all good natured. Given he was naturally in my opinion a goalkeeper, he was tall, agile and quick…at least over the first 10 yards lol. Dicko was clinical enough in his finishing and good in the air. Could strike a set piece too. Needed like Matt, to be more aggressive.

Steven Savage - In my opinion, the most clinical finisher I have played along side. Could strike a dead ball as sweet as any and scored some very important goals in the promotion season.

Savo could read a game as good as any. Vocal, always wanted the ball. Reasonable in the air but strength lay in striking the ball. As clean and as sweet as I’ve ever seen. Hated to lose, hated it which for me is always a good sign. Lacked that little bit of pace that may have taken him elsewhere.

MARTIN’S MEMOIRS... MY ALL TIME XI… THE GOAL MACHINES

Steven Savage Matt Irvine

Lee Dickson

Martin Murtagh

Philly Briggs - An Enigma. For me this guy could have been whatever he wanted to be and I really mean that. He had it all. Pace, clinical finisher particularly from distance. Such balance. So hard to knock off the ball. So quick with the ball at his feet and even quicker off it. The ball didn't necessarily have to be to feet because his first touch was exceptional. Had other things he preferred to do in life than play ball which was a real loss.

Phil McKinley - A club stalwart. Phil would still play if his body could handle it. LOVES his football and LOVES his football club. A prolific goalscorer. Always wanted the ball and always wanted to go for goal. Had a single vision which all good strikers have…..he wanted to score goals and he did. Great attitude on and off the pitch. A gentleman and an asset to Lurgan Town Football Club.

Stuart Gordon - Another club stalwart. Born goalscorer and “member of the first family”. I didn't really get to play in the same sides as Stuart until senior level. He has a great scoring record at all age groups. His strengths for me, were in holding up the ball and bringing others into play, and…his left peg. A sweet left foot as you could ask for. Excellent first touch, good range of long and short passing and a clinical finisher. Could make space when there wasn't any. AND the scorer of the greatest hat trick I’ve ever seen at Oxford - the third lobbing the keeper from 40 yards. For me, though, the two centre forwards are: Philly Briggs. One of the best players I have ever seen. Cant ignore that and Steven Savage. Clinical. Simple

MARTIN’S MEMOIRS... MY ALL TIME XI… THE GOAL MACHINES

MARTIN ‘RIGGS’ MURTAGH

ALL TIME LURGAN TOWN XI

GK: DAVID ‘D-BALL’ GRAHAM

RB: GEOFF GREENAWAY

CB: GREIG ‘BAP’ SAVAGE

CB: RYAN ‘CHEESER’ FEE

LB: SCOTT GORDON

RM: CARL ‘MINI’ FOSTER

CM: STEPHEN ‘DIXIE’ HEASLEY

CM: GARETH KING

LM: CRAIG McKEOWN

FWD: PHILIP BRIGGS

FWD: STEVEN SAVAGE

SUBS: MARTIN MURTAGH, JONNY HOEY,

RODERICK McMURRAY, STUART GORDON,

RICHY GARTLAND, GREIG STEWART,

CHRIS KELLY, LEE DICKSON

GAFFER: BRIAN ‘TITCH’ CLARKE

Phil McKinley

Stuart Gordon

APRIL RESULTS

29th April 2015

2nd Team 1-3 Markethill Swifts Res (John Guy)

U16 LL 0-5 Hillsborough Boys

U13 LL 1-2 Hillsborough Boys (Jake Gorman)

U13 MU 1-5 Banbridge Town Juniors (Alex Wheelan)

25th April 2015

U17 LL 0-7 Knockbreda

U16 LL 1-2 Banbridge Town Juniors (Harvey Joyce)

U15 MU 1-1 (Lose 4-2 Pens) (Adam Loughran)

U14 LL 2-3 Lisburn Youth (Nathan Cowan, Declan Lavery)

U14 MU 3-1 Dungannon Youth (Ryan McGuckin)

U13 LL 8-0 North End (Ryan Byrne x4, Eoin Casey x3, Denver Elliott)

22nd April 2015

2nd Team 2-1 Derryhirk Utd Res (John Guy, Kyle Cousins)

U17 LL 0-3 Lower Maze

U15 MU H-W Damolly

21st April 2015

U15 NL 2-4 Linfield Youth (Oran McGuckin, Josiah Burgees)

20th April 2015

U16 LL 0-3 North End

18th April 2015

U16 LL 1-4 Downpatrick (Jake Kerr)

U15 MU 4-1 Craigavon City (Aaron Winters x2, Lewis McKinley)

U14 LL 4-2 Oxford Sunnyside Colts (Nathan Cowan, Alex Woods,

Declan Lavery, Jack Harkness)

U14 MU 1-5 Banbridge Town Juniors (Jack Hogg)

U13 LL 3-0 Lisburn Distillery (Eoin Casey, Jack Doyle, Dee Lavery) U13 MU 3-3 Dromara Village (Matthew Wells, Conor Lavery, Peter Millen)

15th April 2015

2nd Team 2-1 Richhill Res (Kyle Cousins, Adam Beattie)

14th April 2015

1st Team 3-5 Linfield Youth (Darragh Gray x2, Oran McGuckin)

11th April 2015

1st Team 3-2 Broomhedge (David Hamilton x2, Sidney Tavares)

2nd Team 3-2 Laurelvale Res (Scott Gordon x2, Adam Beattie)

U17 LL 1-2 Willowbank (Matthew Hagan)

U15 MU 9-1 Damolly (Aaron Winters x4, Adam Hall x2, James Willis,

Adam Loughran, Jack O'Neill)

U14 MU 2-0 Tandragee Rovers (Josh McClune, Jack Hogg)

U13 MU 1-4 Banbridge Town Panthers (Jack Meginnis)

8th April 2015

U16 LL 1-2 Lisburn Rangers (Jake Kerr)

U13 LL 0-9 Lisburn Youth

4th April 2015

1st Team 1-5 Richhill (Dylan Hoy)

2nd Team 3-0 Lurgan Institute Res (Scott McBride, Scott Gordon,

Adam Beattie)

1st April 2015

U14 LL 0-5 Oxford Sunnyside

As of Wednesday 29th April 2015

Full list of scorers on www.lurgantownfc.com

Aaron Winters (above)

21 goals - Mid Ulster U15s

Croistan McAreavey

18 goals - Lisburn League U16s

Adam Loughran


Jack Hogg


Stevie Turner

15 goals - Senior 2nd Team

Kyle Cousins

15 goals - Senior Teams

Full Name:

Matthew Clarke

Team:

Mid Ulster U12

DOB: 28/05/1988

Lives: Lurgan

Favourite Team:

Liverpool

Favourite Player:

Pepe Reina

Preferred Football Formation: 4-4-2

Previous Clubs As A Player: Lurgan Town, Lurgan BBOB,

Hill St, Dollingstown, Banbridge Town, Cliftonville, and

currently Tandragee Rovers

Previous Club As A Coach: Lurgan BBOB

Proudest Moment In Football: Playing for the Mid Ulster

select squad against Scotland at U18s

Full Name:

Scott McBride

Team:

Lisburn League

U16

DOB:

06/01/1993

Lives: Lurgan

Favourite Team: Man Utd

Favourite Player: Past: Beckham. Current: Pogba

Preferred Football Formation: 4-2-3-1

Previous Clubs As A Player: Lurgan Institute, Tandrage

Rovers, Lurgan Town

Previous Club As A Coach: None

Proudest Moment In Football: Winning player of the year,

players player of the year and top goal scorer (people think

I lie with this) all last season at my previous club.

Full Name: John Annett

Team: National League U15

DOB: 27/11/1968

Lives: Rathfriland

Favourite Team: Spurs

Favourite Player: My son Zach and I

argue about this one. He reckons

Ronaldo is the best in the world,

but my vote goes to Lionel Messi.

Whenever I was growing up my two favourite players where

Glenn Hoddell and Michel Plattini—two brilliant number 10s.

(However I never got to see Robert Davidson play).

Preferred Football Formation: When I played it was simply 4-4-2

or 4-3-3 which suited me. Today I like 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 where the

two wide midfielders are really attacking full backs and it’s an

effective system for switching between attack and defence.

Previous Clubs As A Player: Rathfriland and Dromara

Previous Club As A Coach: Banbridge Town Juniors

Proudest Moment In Football: I have a few: Watching my 3 chil-

dren lift various trophies and awards. Also winning back to back

titles and finishing top scorer both seasons to take Rathfriland to

the Premier Division of the Amateur League. Most recently our

Under 15 team clinching promotion to the National League A sec-

tion and watching them develop and compete against some of

the best teams in the country this season.

Full Name:

Peter Magliocco

Team:

Academy U7

DOB: 03/02/1992

Lives: Craigavon

Favourite Team:

Man City

Favourite Player:

Fabio Cannavaro


Previous Clubs As A Player: AFC Craigavon

Previous Club As A Coach: None

Proudest Moment In Football: Walking onto the pitch at

Maine Road [Man City former ground] and shaking

Malcolm Allison’s hand

MEET THE COACHES

Full Name: Chris Kemp

Team: Academy U9

DOB: 17/09/1979

Lives: Aghagallon

Favourite Team: Spurs

Favourite Player: Pat Jennings


Previous Clubs As A Player: CP Goodyear Youth, Sunnyside,

Crewe United,

Previous Club As A Coach: Lower Maze, Crewe United,

Glenavon

Proudest Moment In Football: I have many with Crewe

including runners up in 2 league cups. With Glenavon U12

we where runners up in the plate, won the National League

and Playing for the Future cup and plate in the first season.

In the second season we where only beaten once and drew

once only to lose the NIBFA B league by a point. I feel the

best is still to come though.

Full Name: Steven Beattie

Team: Lisburn League U16s

and Reserves

DOB: 04/09/1984

Lives: Lurgan

Favourite Team: Rangers

Favourite Player:

Ally McCoist

Preferred Football Formation:

4-3-3

Previous Clubs As A Player: Lurgan Town, Lurgan Institute

Previous Club As A Coach: Lurgan Institute

Proudest Moment In Football: Getting the shield final this

season with the U16s. The result didn't go our way on the

day but hopefully we will rectify that in seasons to come.

Full Name: Paul Cassidy

Team: Mid Ulster U11

DOB: 13/10/1978

Lives: Lurgan

Favourite Team: Soft spot

for Aston Villa as it was my

grandad’s team.

Favourite Player: Paul McGrath - didn't have to train too

hard but still got to play.

Preferred Football Formation: Still exploring options.

Previous Clubs As A Player: Oxford Utd, Derryhirk Utd,

Lurgan Celtic

Previous Club As A Coach: I’ve coached in other sports but

this is my first coaching role in soccer and I’m loving every

moment.

Proudest Moment In Football: Winning NI secondary

schools cup. That was a few years ago.

Full Name: Nigel Johnston

Team: Lisburn League U14

DOB: 1966

Lives: Lurgan

Favourite Team: Leeds Utd

(Yes I am that old)

Favourite Player: Alan Clarke

(Leeds Utd) and Dennis Bergkamp

Preferred Football Formation:

4-4-1-1

Previous Clubs As A Player: Glenavon, New Century,

Lurgan Institute Annagh Utd

Previous Club As A Coach: Lurgan Town for 11 years

Proudest Moment In Football: Winning Mid Ulster

Intermediate league with Annagh Utd and as a coach

winning the Mid Ulster Reserve Division 3 league title with

Lurgan Town.

MEET THE COACHES

Peter is the captain of the Mid Ulster U13 side. He comes from Dollingstown and has been with the club for 7 years.

Best Trainer - Alex Wheelan Worst Trainer - Scott McCullough Quickest Player - Travis Barr Slowest Player - James McCoy Most Skilful Player - Nicholas Hamilton Best Passer - Myself Best In The Air - Zack McAtamney Who Thinks He's Better Than He Actually Is? - Matthew Clarke

Managers Favourite Saying - “Ah come on ref”

Who Takes the Longest To Get Ready Before A Match - Riley Grimason Favourite Game This Season - Portadown. 3-3 draw which we then won on pens. Ambitions For The Season - For the team to win their remaining games and for me to finally get on the score sheet [WIE: Not long after writing this, Peter did manage to get on the score sheet in the 3-3 draw against Dromara Village on Saturday 18th April].

CAPTAINS CORNER - PETER MILLEN

Tiarnan is the captain of the Lisburn League U17 side. He hails from Derrymacash and has been with the club for

Best Trainer - Worst Trainer - Quickest Player - Sidney Tavares Slowest Player - Uel (when he joins in) Most Skilful Player - Jordan Wilson Best Passer - Scott Wiltshire Best In The Air - Matthew Hosty Who Thinks He's Better Than He Actually Is? - Don Hull

Managers Favourite Saying - They’re a beatable side.

Who Takes the Longest To Get Ready Before A Match - Myself Favourite Game This Season - Beating Oxford Sunnyside in the Northern Ireland Cup Ambitions For The Season - Win the league.

CAPTAINS CORNER - TIARNAN JUDGE

A young looking Judgee. He’ll love me for this

champions: mid ulster under...

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