Trip to Glenavon up first in the split for Newry City

It has been a long and hard season to this point for Newry City, but with five games to go, the end-of-season split may provide them with some light at the end of the tunnel.

Starting with the negatives: Newry City haven’t won a home league game since November 2022, have shipped 83 goals in 33 games this season, and went on a spell of 19 games without a win.

The huge positive however, is that despite all of those stats, Newry only trail eleventh-placed Ballymena United by two points with five games to go, and meet them on April 20.

Before that game though, Newry will be hopeful of getting some points on the board, and Saturday’s trip to Mourneview Park may provide an opportunity to do just that.

Although Glenavon eased to 3-0 and 4-0 victories at The Showgrounds earlier this season, Newry’s record away to the Lurgan Blues has been stellar in recent years.

Since retuning to the top flight in 2022, Newry have played Glenavon three times at Mourneview Park in the league, and won all three games on score-lines of 5-1, 2-0 and 3-1.

If Newry can pull off a similar result this weekend, they may jump above Ballymena and off of the foot of the table.

However, the club were hit with sad news on Tuesday afternoon, with the announcement that first team manager Barry Gray has had to take a step back from his role due to his ongoing battle with cancer.

In the interim, his assistant Dermot McVeigh will lead the team.

All at the Newry Reporter wish the Barry the very best of luck with his recovery.

Newry City Split Fixtures:

Saturday April 6 (3pm)

Glenavon v Newry City

Saturday April 13 (3pm)Newry City v Dungannon Swifts

Tuesday April 16 (7.45pm)

Newry City v Carrick Rangers

Saturday April 20 (3pm)

Ballymena United v Newry City

Saturday April 27 (5.30pm)

Newry City v Loughgall