Saturday 5th March
3.00pm Kick Off
On Saturday we welcome Newry City to the Bet McLean Oval in the Quarter Final of the Samuel Gelston's Irish Cup.
While Newry City currently sit atop the NIFL Championship after 28 games, their hopes of claiming the title - and sealing a return to the IPL after a 3-year absence - took a body blow last Friday night, as they slumped to a 0-3 defeat at the Showgrounds to second placed Annagh United: cutting their lead to just a point.
Inconsistency at home may be holding Darren Mullen’s men back this term, but on the road they have few problems. They have won 10 of their 14 away league games to date (losing just 1) and also knocked out IPL local rivals Warrenpoint out of the Irish Cup at Milltown in January.
Manager Mullen has assembled an experienced squad this campaign, including former Northern Ireland International Ryan McGivern, but it is the form of their attacking players that has been key to their season The return of Daniel Hughes to the club, after spells at Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts, has added top level quality to the side and seen him score 9 goals to date. Another player to watch is highly rated 19-year-old midfielder John McGovern; despite having not played above the NIFL Championship, McGovern has received call ups to the NI under 21 squad in recent times and is believed to be on the radar of a number of clubs in GB.
The last time the sides met at this stage of the Competition was in March 2000 at the Newry Showgrounds.
The Glens looked set to cruise into the Semi Finals, with a thumping left foot volley from Scott Young and a Tim McCann strike just before half time putting us in control at the break. The lead was further extended early into the second half when defender Shane Reddish headed past his own ‘keeper to make it 3. Newry (then still known as Town) did pull back a late consolidation via future Glens midfielder Dean Fitzgerald, but Roy Coyle’s side had done enough to ensure a Semi Final meeting with Linfield, where a certain Sean Armstrong would write his name into folk history and later an Ian Gilzean header would seal a Final win over Portadown.
Mick McDermott: “I said before we went to Mourneview last week that it was vital for the players to turn the disappointment we felt at Larne into a determination to put in the right level of performance. That’s exactly what they did. We were slow to start with a heavy wind against us in the first half, but after the break the players showed character in abundance, The sort of character you need if you want to compete at the top of the table. The substitutions also helped our momentum with Rory and Michael both pitting in excellent crosses that led to goals. So, a very pleasing outcome.
I know Irish Cup games are always special to Glentoran supporters and today give us chance to move forward into the semi-final. But as always, nothing good comes without earning it and we are under no illusions that to progress in this tournament requires a massive performance in every round.
Newry are performing well in the Championship and are at the top for a reason. We know that we must respect them as we do with every opponent coming to the Bet McLean Oval. I know Darren Mullan well through coaching courses and I have the highest level of respect for him as a manager who has done a great job for his club over a lengthy period.
Our support has been fantastic home and away in recent months. They played a great part in our comeback and victory at Mourneview, and we hope to give them the performance and result they deserve.”
As always at home matches, we strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
Tomorrow’s match sponsor is Ballymacarrett Glentoran Supporters
The Ballymac is two years away from its 50th anniversary, having been established in 1974. The club runs buses from its Wilgar Street clubrooms to all Glentoran’s away games.
Website: http://www.ballymacgsc.co.uk/
Our match ball sponsor is Mosgrove & Sons.
Mosgrove & Sons Ltd is East Belfast's Leading Tyre and Service Centre, based at 441a Beersbridge Road, with a large stock of Tyres from Budget to Premium for Car, Van, Commercial, Agricultural and Motorcycle.
Mosgrove & Sons offer expert car repair and car servicing across all makes and models, as well as MOT testing, diagnostics and 24-Hour breakdown services.
Roadside recovery, Puncture Repairs and Tyre fitting is also available.
- Telephone: 028 9065 5588
- For After-hours Roadside Puncture Repairs or Tyres: 07834738803
- https://www.facebook.com/MosgroveSonsLtd
