Ollie Ralph scores 100th goal for Newry

March 1988

OLLIE Ralph registers his 100th goal for Newry Town.

The milestone arrives in just five seasons with the Irish League club.

The striker has to endure a nervous wait before reaching the century in a Mid-Ulster Cup tie against Glenavon, which ends in a 2-1 defeat for Newry.

‘I was sitting on 99 for a month,’ says 30-year-old Ralph, a member of the last title-winning Dundalk team in 1982.

That season, a multiple fracture of the jaw, which occurs during an epic cup semi-final against Bohemians, prevents him playing in the crucial 2-1 victory over Athlone Town which clinches the league.

The injury results in a loss of form, and he Dundalk.

Nevertheless, Ralph proves a great signing for Newry, and is their top scorer each season since joining.

The current campaign is Newry’s best, with a first trophy in senior football, and a first win against Linfield in 50 years.

The 100th goal comes when Willie Crawley, another of the Dundalk contingent in Newry colours, pressurises the Glenavon defence into a mistake, leaving Ollie score from 10 yards. is released by