Glentoran’s season boils down to tonight’s crucial European play-off final clash against Cliftonville at Solitude.
While a spot in Europe is up for grabs, the guaranteed 200,000 euro jackpot at stake will be a vital cash injection for either club.
The Glens booked their place in the final after edging Coleraine at The Showgrounds last Friday night. Minutes after Neil McCafferty had an effort ruled out for offside for the hosts Calum Birney’s volley gave the East Belfast side the lead.
Curtis Allen netted his 22nd goal of the season with a second half header to double the advantage before Jamie McGonigle reduced the deficit to set up a nervous finish at Ballycastle Road.
The Glens were able to hold out to clinch their place in the final against Cliftonville in a game that will define their season.
After Dungannon Swifts finished seventh in the league, Gerard Lyttle’s men were given a free pass into tonight’s final. The Reds also have home advantage after four consecutive defeats at the end of the domestic campaign saw them slip to 4th in the table.
Alan Kernaghan’s side also suffered from a similar run, but were able to win once in the last four games of the season, and that was against tonight’s opponents at Solitude.
Two second half goals from Marcus Kane and Curtis Allen helped seal a convincing win for the Glens and their first league win at the North Belfast venue since 2011. Kernaghan will be hoping last month’s victory will be a good omen for his team tonight, with sights set on repeating success.
Little splits the sides looking back on recent league fixtures as both teams have secured two wins apiece in their four meetings. However, Cliftonville narrowly beat the Glens 3-2 at home in a League Cup encounter in November last year.
Not only will the East Belfast side have to beat The Reds in their own backyard, they will have to do light of four key players. Jonathan Smith, Chris Morrow, Marcus Kane and Friday’s goal hero Calum Birney will be ruled out through suspension.
Nathan Webb