Portadown are back in Danske Bank Premiership action on Saturday evening (Sat 15 October) when we take on Newry City AFC at Shamrock Park, kick off 5:30pm.

Both teams come into the games off the back of victories in the Mid Ulster Cup in midweek, the Ports defeating Warrenpoint Town 4-3 on penalties while Newry City AFC beat Armagh City 3-1 after extra time. In Premiership matters however both teams tasted defeat last time out with Portadown being beaten 2-0 by Ballymena United at the Showgrounds and Newry City AFC going down 2-0 to Larne at the Showgrounds.

The last time the two teams met was back in November 2019 in the Championship, Portadown would run out 2-1 winners at the Showgrounds that evening thanks to a brace from Adam Salley. The last time the two sides met at Shamrock Park was in October 2019 in a 0-0 stalemate – the last time the two sides met in the top tier of Irish League football was back in January 2011 with the Ports running out 2-1 winners at Shamrock Park thanks to two goals from Sean Mackle.

Newry City AFC have found life back in the Premiership difficult but have six points under their belt thanks to victories over Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon and sit 5 points ahead of the Ports in 10th place.

During the summer Newry City AFC manager Darren Mullan has added Ebuka Kwelele, Jamie Clarke, Andy Martin, Manny Omrore, Ethan Sousa and Mohamed Boudiaf to his ranks as well as completing loan deals for Ciaran O’Connor & Donal Rocks.

Portadown are unbeaten in their last five against Newry City AFC and have only one defeat in their last eight, Newry City AFC’s last victory over Portadown came back in October 2017 in a 4-1 victory at Shamrock Park

Portadown captain Paddy McNally gives his thoughts on the match below

It goes without saying that we need a win and that’s exactly what we’re focusing on achieving it. A positive result can do so much for both morale and momentum.

We appreciate it can be frustrating for supporters who pay hard earned money following and supporting us but it doesn’t go unnoticed, we can’t appreciate that level of support enough yous have supported us through thick and thin and we’re very lucky to have such a brilliant support and fanbase.

 

The officials are – Referee – Tim Marshall / Assistant 1 – Paul Robinson / Assistant 2 – Adam Jeffrey/ 4th official – Barry Monaghan

 

  • Match sponsor – Van Spares
  • PSS Man of the Match Sponsor – PFC Travel Club
  • Bucket Collection – Causeplay on behalf of CashForKids NI

 

Last Five Head to Head (All competitions)

  • Friday 8 November 2019 – Newry City AFC 1 (M.Hughes (pen)) Portadown 2 (Salley 2)
  • Friday 4 October 2019 – Portadown 0 Newry City AFC 0
  • Tuesday 30 October 2018 – Newry City AFC 1 (King) Portadown 1 (McCallum) *Portadown won 4-1 on pens
  • Friday 20 April 2018 – Newry City AFC 0 Portadown 0
  • Friday 23 March 2018 – Portadown 2 (Boyle OG, Douglas) Newry City AFC 1 (Mackin)

 

Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park (All competitions)

  • Friday 4 October 2019 – Portadown 0 Newry City AFC 0
  • Friday 23 March 2018 – Portadown 2 (Boyle OG, Douglas) Newry City AFC 1 (Mackin)
  • Friday 27 October 2017 – Portadown 1 (Lavery) Newry City 4 (D Carville, J Walker, M McCabe, o.g)
  • Saturday 29 January 2011 – Portadown 2 (Mackle x2) Newry City 1 (Murray)
  • Tuesday 21 September 2010 – Portadown 4 Newry City 2

 

  • We Are Ports TV LIVE will have live coverage of the game against Newry City AFC, the live stream is available at a cost of £10 and can be purchased and viewed via the link below https://portstv.com/

 

Online tickets for the game are available via https://tickets.portadownfc.co.uk/fixtures

While online tickets for matches still remain, a cash gate is now also available at each game at Shamrock Park for HOME SUPPORTERS ONLY (except in the event where a game has sold      out      online in advance of the game). We would add however that purchasing your ticket online remains the best way to guarantee your seat for games and would still actively encourage supporters to avail of the facility.

 

  • Matchday Live returns with Jonny Dunlop on the official Portadown YouTube & Facebook pages were he’ll be previewing the game as well as chatting to players and management to get their views.

 

  • A reminder about the Ports Hub facility at games at Shamrock Park which give you match info, player stats and exclusive interviews. To access the Ports Hub simply scan the QR code placed on every other seat’s backrest at Shamrock Park (as well as in the clubrooms) and you will give brought to a host of great content, think of it as your digital matchday programme!

 

  • With more families and community / youth groups visiting Shamrock Park on match days, the club has decided to re-launch our FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AREA.
  • BLOCK B in the home stand has been designated as this area, a traditionally slightly quieter block and further away from opposition supporters.
  • We recognise that football matches are noisy and passionate experiences for players and fans alike but we would also like children, families and community visitors of mixed abilities and needs to feel comfortable when they visit a match, for some, their very first football match.
  • Guidelines for supporters sitting in Block B will be clearly displayed at the front of that area and we encourage all patrons in the block to follow them:

 

  • PLEASE BE AWARE OF THOSE AROUND YOU.
  • PLEASE USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE.
  • BE POSITIVE TOWARDS PEOPLE ON THE PITCH.