YOUNG IS QUEENS’ TOP GUN

Newry’s Mullen rules out energy-sapping midweek tie as reason for loss to United

NEWRY boss Darren Mullen is refusing to use tiredness as an excuse for Saturday’s league defeat at home to Ballinamallard United. Mullen’s men went into Saturday’s game on the back of a hard-earned 3-2 Betmclean League Cup victory at Glenavon on Wednesday evening, earning them a crack at Institute in tonight’s quarter-final tie at the Showgrounds, in what will be a testing third game in seven days. “I don’t like using excuses of any nature for a defeat and the truth about Saturday is that we failed to defend two early setpieces from Ballinamallard and that gave us a mountain to climb,” said Mullen. “The frustrating thing is that we had warned the players about this threat as we knew it was a particularly effective part of their armoury.

“That said when Mark Mccabe got us back into the game after about 20 minutes we dominated the rest of the half and should have scored again.

“For me though our second half performance was just not good enough as we didn’t turn up.

“Yes, maybe there was an element of tiredness involved from our midweek game at Mourneview.

“We played really well against Glenavon, it was no backs-to-thewall performance.

“Although the game was 0-0 at half-time we’d had our chances but thankfully we took them when they came our way in the second half.”

Having been starved of goals in the opening half supporters of both teams couldn’t complain about the fare that was on offer after the break with Newry’s rising star John Mcgovern crashing home a late winner to settle what turned out to be a five-goal thriller. Mcgovern has been particularly impressive for City since coming into the side, but unfortunately he’ll play no part in tonight’s Institute tie after being withdrawn injured on Saturday.

“John has been really bright for us but he picked up an ankle injury in the second half and it looks like he could be out for up to three weeks,’ explained Mullen.

“When he went off on Saturday we lost what spark we had, but hey, that’s football, we’ve a decent panel of players and someone else will now get an opportunity to impress.”

Mullen will also have to shuffle the pack some more as Mark Hughes and

Steven Mullen will also miss tonight’s tie because of suspension.

“As I said, we’ve a good squad, I think Saturday’s defeat was our first in about nine games, so we’re not going to hit any panic buttons,” said Mullen.

“I’ll do my homework on Institute and then we’ll field a team that hopefully will do the job.

“We’re at home and we’ve been getting good support and despite Institute being a Premiership team, and having picked up a bit of form under their new manager, we’ll not be overawed by the challenge.

“Our fans will get behind us for sure, they know we’ve a longterm plan in place for what we’re trying to achieve at the club and they’re fully supportive of us.”

Tonight’s tie at the Showgrounds kicks off at 7.45pm.

IT was another exhilarating weekend in the Championship with 26 goals flying in across the six fixtures. The game of the weekend occurred at The Dub where Portadown climbed back to the top of the league but could only draw against QUB after throwing away a three-goal lead. The Ports had looked to be on course for a comfortable three points with Callum Ferris, Adam Salley and Stephen Teggart all finding the target with just half an hour remaining. But an own goal from the visitors was followed up by a Jonah Mitchell strike within a minute and a delightful curling free-kick from Ronan Young ensured the spoils were shared. Loughgall saw their four-game winning streak come to an end as they slumped to a 4-1 home defeat against a resurgent Ballyclare, who are now unbeaten in four. Joe Tully, Fra Nolan, Thomas Robinson and Jake Mcneill were all on target for the Comrades, with Peter Campbell on the scoresheet for Loughgall, who slip to second behind Portadown on goal difference. Ballinamallard strengthened their grip on a top three spot and moved to within just two points of the top with an impressive 3-1 victory at Newry. Early goals from Matthew Smyth and Ross Taheny put the Mallards in control and whilst Mark Mccabe pulled one back for Newry, the ever reliable Ryan Campbell made sure of the points with a third in the second half. Dundela recorded their first league victory in six attempts with a convincing 5-0 home victory over basement side Knockbreda at Wilgar Park. David Mcmaster netted a quickfire hat-trick for the Duns before Carl Mccomb and Tiarnan Mcnicholl added further goals. Ards are back into the top five with just their second win in six matches – a 3-0 win over PSNI seeing the visitors slip to secondfrom-bottom in the standings. Ben Cushnie opened the scoring for Ards before Michael Mclellan doubled the lead and a Scott Mcmillan (right) header wrapped up the points for Warren Feeney’s side, while PSNI are now without a league win in six. H&W Welders made it two wins from three with an impressive 3-0 victory at Dergview – whom they leapfrog in the standings. Matthew Ferguson, Lukas Gwiazda and Alan Mcmurty were all on target for Colin Mcilwaine’s side, who were drawn against Ballymena United in the County Antrim Shield semi-finals. MULLEN IT OVER The Newry boss will have to make changes for tonight’s cup clash with Institute