Darren Mullen has returned to the managerial hotseat at Newry City hours after the departure of Barry Gray
Newry City announced earlier on Sunday afternoon that they had parted ways with manager Gray.
City’s 4-1 defeat to Ards on Friday night was their fifth league defeat of the season and came a matter of days after they lost 5-1 to Dollingstown in the BetMcLean League Cup.
Mullen had called time on a 10-year stint as manager of Newry at the end if the 2022/23 season when they managed to secure their Premiership status having been promoted as champions of the Championship the previous season.
Mullen told the club’s website: “This has all happened very quickly but I had no hesitation in agreeing to help the club. They say you should never go back in football but Raymond Byrne, Jervis McCaul and I all have a huge emotional attachment to this club.
“Results haven’t been good but I believe the squad that’s there is a lot better than the current league position shows. The fans have always been brilliant but we need to start giving them something to sing about.
“As a group we will be working hard to get Newry City back where they belong and that work starts this Tuesday night.
Mullen had guided the club since it reformation in 2013 through regional and amateur divisions back to the top of the football pyramid before stepping down less than 18 month ago.
He had recently been involved in GAA coaching with the Down minor footballers when they won All-Ireland tier three competition, the Seamus Heaney Cup.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, club chairman of Newry City Martin McLoughlin said: After a hectic weekend today became a day of change at NCAFC.
Firstly, let me place on record our thanks to Barry, Mark and Ciaran for all of the hard work they have done during their tenure.
“I am well aware of the time that they have put in, in a bid to make the club a success and the sacrifices that they have made to try and make that possible. I have no doubt that circumstances beyond their control in particular injuries to key players has hindered their efforts.
“As a club our aim is to keep NCAFC in senior football and to challenge for league titles. Therefore, we feel it is crucial to appoint a successor who has knowledge of the league and especially the setup at the club.
“With the excitement of our new 4G training facility nearing completion we are in a great position off the pitch but need the results on the pitch that have so far been avoiding us.
“From previous experience of Darren and his backroom staff I know they will be under no illusion about the task ahead and will be keen to get the job started.
“Hopefully this change will give us the boost we need and we can restart our season from here.”
Former Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town manager Gray took over at the Co Down club on New Year’s Day of this year after Gary Boyle stepped down from the position with the club rooted to the foot of the Premiership.
Gray wasn’t able to save them from relegation but hopes were high that they could mount a serious promotion challenge in the Playr-Fit Championship this season.
However, after winning only two of their opening 10 games, and conceding 23 goals, he has now parted company with the club.