WE CAN BE NEW SENSATIONS

Boss Mullen in Premier vow

DARREN MULLEN is confident newly-promoted Newry City AFC can make a positive impact in the Danske Bank Premiership.

The Showgrounds outfit sealed top flight status on Wednesday thanks to a 3-1 win – and 6-3 aggregate victory – over Carrick Rangers in the relegation, promotion play-off.

It is a phoenix from the ashes tale for the County Down men who were founded in 2013 just months after the former Newry City was forced out of business.

Boss Mullen, who has led the club to four promotions in five years, said: “The journey we have been on is unreal - it’s Roy of the Rovers stuff.

“To have four promotions in five years after the club was on its knees and wiped out is unreal.”

Newry are the first Championship club since Warrenpoint in 2013 and Donegal Celtic in 2010 to secure promotion via the playoff.

Both Warrenpoint and Donegal Celtic survived the drop the following season and Mullen is eager Newry follow suit next season.

He said: “We’ll obviously have to add to the squad and if anyone wants to come to a good club and play good football, they’re more than welcome.

“But we’ll also give the lads who got us there the chance to impress. They’ve been terrific and it’s just reward for knuckling down and working hard.

“We have the opportunity to go and play Premiership football and it’s brilliant. We’ll give it our best shot and we won’t fear it. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

While Newry are Premiership bound, Carrick are preparing for life in the Championship with boss David Mcalinden planning talks on his future.

Mcalinden said: “I’ve always said I’d like to build something here, but when you’re not successful on the pitch, you don’t get that opportunity.

“I’ll have to sit down with the board and see what direction we want to go in.”

IN WITH BIG GUNS Manager Darren Mullen celebrates promotion with his side after playoff glory on Wednesday