Cleary Celtic Set Early Pace as Newry Celtic Hit Four

By Kevin McAteer

Defending champions Cleary Celtic are already setting the early pace at the top of the Carnbane Premier Division after making it two wins from two, while Newry Celtic remain unbeaten following an impressive 4-0 victory.

Cleary travelled to Millburn United on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their emphatic opening-day victory over Ballyholland.

The champions did exactly that, recording a 3-0 victory to maintain their perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign.

It follows last weekend’s 6-1 win over Ballyholland, meaning Cleary have scored nine goals and conceded just once in their opening two league matches.

That leaves them sitting top of the Premier Division with six points and a goal difference of +8.

Newry Celtic up to second

Newry Celtic also enjoyed an impressive Saturday as they recorded their first victory of the new season.

After beginning their campaign with a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Mayobridge, Newry responded with a convincing 4-0 victory over Rossowen.

The result takes Newry onto four points from two matches, placing them second in the early standings with a +4 goal difference.

With Cleary and Newry finishing first and second respectively last season, the two Newry sides have once again occupied the top two positions during the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Early days in the Premier Division

The table remains very much an early-season picture, with clubs having played different numbers of matches.

Mayobridge sit third with one point from their opening fixture, while Villa Rovers have yet to begin their league campaign.

Millburn United, Rossowen and Ballyholland are still searching for their first points.

Premier Division – Saturday 22 August

Millburn United 0-3 Cleary Celtic

Newry Celtic 4-0 Rossowen

Early standings

1. Cleary Celtic – 6 pts (+8)
2. Newry Celtic – 4 pts (+4)
3. Mayobridge – 1 pt (0)
4. Villa Rovers – 0 pts (0)
5. Millburn United – 0 pts (-3)
6. Rossowen – 0 pts (-4)
7. Ballyholland – 0 pts (-5)

Cleary’s start will be particularly encouraging for the defending champions. They won all 14 league matches last season on their way to the title and have now immediately followed that dominant campaign with another two victories.

Attention now turns to next weekend, when Newry Celtic host Ballyholland, Rossowen face Millburn United and Villa Rovers begin their league campaign against Mayobridge.

Before then, Cleary Celtic turn their attention to cup action as they face Coagh United Reserves in the Gerald Kennedy Cup Final on Friday 28 August.

Clanrye News and Sport