The Showgrounds

The Showgrounds is a football stadium in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It stands in the Greenbank Industrial Estate on the Warrenpoint Road, close to the Down GAA home stadium of Páirc Esler. The ground was once home to Newry City F.C. and now serves Newry City A.F.C. after the original club was liquidated in 2012. It has also hosted youth international matches for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2005 and 2009. The stadium has played a key role in local football history. In 2009, two new stands were built to improve facilities. The Olympic torch passed the ground during the 2012 Summer Olympics relay on its way to Páirc Esler. After Newry City’s financial collapse, supporters saved the stadium from sale, allowing the phoenix club to continue using it. Visitors find a compact football ground with modern stands and floodlighting. It hosts league matches, training sessions, and the annual Bessbrook Cup Final on Saint Stephen’s Day. The pitch has hosted international youth qualifiers, though safety concerns once forced a postponement of the Bessbrook final. Nearby Páirc Esler offers a contrasting sporting venue just a short distance away.