Newtown boss Walsh said players had proved the doubters wrong

NEWTOWNSTEWART United boss Aaron Walsh said his players had proved the doubters wrong by gaining promotion to Division Two of the Fermanagh and Western League.

On Saturday Newtown secured the second promotion spot behind Ballinamallard United Reserves with a resounding 8-1 victory over a poor Dunbreen Rovers side at a sodden Vaughan’s Holm.

An early Turlough McNamee goal from the penalty spot settled any nerves and United never looked back.

McNamee and Michael McKay both netted braces apiece with Conn Tinney, Corey Flanagan and Michael Ward also on target. A forgettable afternoon was complete for Rovers when substitute Robert McFarland diverted the ball into his own net.

It was cold, wet and thoroughly miserable day in Newtown but at the final whistle Walsh was feeling the warm gloss of success and a certain satisfaction.

“Nobody gave us a chance at the start of the year,” said the Newtown player-manager.

“People were happy for us just to compete but we did more than compete and we showed our value.

“When I came in at the end of last year I knew we needed three or four players. We got them in and we went from strength to strength.

“The boys got what they deserved, it was hard to get over the line at times, but I don’t think we had any worries today.

“It means the world to everyone. There are good people at the club and good things happen to good people and I’m over the moon for them. I never done anything, it was down to the players.

“When we go into the second division the players will have to build on this. We’ll need to add a few players but there aren’t that many about locally. so we’ll have to get down to the drawing board.

“But look, that’s not for us to worry about now, that’s further down the line. The main thing was getting over the line, and, as you can see, this means a lot to the players.”