Warrenpoint Town are still reeling from manager Barry Gray's departure, admits Fra McCaffrey

Fra McCaffrey (right) says he was stunned by Barry Gray’s departure

Barry Gray this week quit Warrenpoint Town for derby rivals Newry City

Warrenpoint Town skipper Fra McCaffrey says the players are still coming to terms with the extraordinary events of this week while they prepare for the huge test of taking on Linfield at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The fourth placed Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League side saw their manager Barry Gray jump ship for Premiership bottom club Newry City.

Gary Boyle resigned as Newry boss after a 4-0 defeat by Glenavon on Boxing Day and City chiefs quickly moved to snap up former Cliftonville boss Gray, who returns to Newry after previously working with the club’s youth teams.

The county Down outfit lie six points adrift at the bottom of the top flight table with 14 games of their campaign still to play.

John Gill has been placed in charge of Warrenpoint until the end of the season, however coach Dermot McVeigh has also stepped away from his role at Milltown.

It’s not the preparation Town hoped for in the run up to their Irish Cup challenge at the home of the Blues.

Point skipper McCaffrey says news of Gray’s exit, first reported by the Belfast Telegraph on Sunday, came as a surprise.

“We’ve been in shock since the news broke on New Year’s Eve,” he stated.

“It was the first we heard about it and then we had a big game on New Year’s Day which unfortunately we didn’t win.

“We played quite well but these things are never good timing.

“I knew nothing about it but it’s happened now.

“I’ve been working with Barry for a long time and have a lot of time for him.

“It’s his decision and these things happen in football all the time.

“People move on in football and Point will keep fighting.

“The main