Newry City chairman looking for new boss ready ‘embrace the challenge’

Gary Boyle’s resignation following the midweek derby defeat by Glenavon signalled the end of a connection spanning around seven years in total within the Newry dug-out, the past seven months as manager.

Newry officials have made moves this week to find Boyle’s replacement – advertising for expressions of intent before a January 4 deadline with the ambition to appoint the next manager in time to face Cliftonville at The Showgrounds the following weekend.

Club chairman Martin McLoughlin stands confident Newry have “the right players” for the top-flight’s bottom side to beat the drop and is confident the committee’s interview process can unearth a manager ready to “embrace the challenge”.

McLoughlin was full of praise for both the commitment by the outgoing Boyle and the internal team ready to step up and ensure as smooth a transition as possible for the players.

“Boxing Day was very emotional for a lot of us,” said McLoughlin. “Gary had put a lot of time and energy into his work over seven years at Newry, a lot more than people realise.

"I have nothing but praise for his dedication and although we are all aware this is a results business, we are certainly disappointed for Gary it didn’t work out.

"Michael O’Connor came in as a coach under Gary so felt he had to also step down…but then this week we’ve had people volunteer to step in and put the shoulder to the wheel to help the club.

"Damien Hillen will take on the manager’s role on an interim basis (starting today at Dungannon Swifts) and others have also stepped forward from around the club to show loyalty and offer assistance.

"Such commitment towards the team and preparations for this weekend’s game has allowed us at committee level to focus on the manager search.”

Newry visit Dungannon bruised by the Boxing Day loss to Glenavon on a 4-0 tally four days on from the home loss to Carrick Rangers.

A return of just three wins and 12 points overall from 23 games to date in the Sports Direct Premiership puts Newry as the basement side behind Ballymena.

However, McLoughlin retains his faith in Newry’s fight for safety.