However, the Irish Football Association blocked the move as the owners of The Showgrounds objected.

[10] Newry City AFC also gave reasons for objecting the potential groundshare, citing the poor quality of the playing surface, the lack of a licence for The Showgrounds to host NIFL Premiership matches and a large increase in insurance and running costs for Newry City if the groundshare went ahead.

[11] The Showgrounds are also used to host the Bessbrook Cup Final, which is traditionally played on St. Stephen's Day.

In 2013, the Bessbrook Cup final was postponed after one of The Showgrounds' floodlight pylons had been damaged in bad weather, which led to Health and Safety officials deeming that The Showgrounds were unsafe to be used for the match.

[13] In 2009, it was used to host some of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification matches for Group 9.