Glentoran began the defence of their ToalsBet.Com County Antrim Shield title with a 3–1 victory over Ards at the BetMcLean Oval on Tuesday evening.

Declan Devine’s side lifted the trophy last season after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Larne in the final and they made a strong start to this year’s campaign thanks to a first-half brace from new signing Pat Hoban and a late strike from Jordan Jenkins.

The Glens controlled the early exchanges with Danny Amos and Ryan Cooney providing quality from wide areas. At the same time, James Singleton, Daniel Larmour and Josh Kelly formed a composed back three behind Cameron Palmer, Charlie Lindsay and Liam Burt.

On seven minutes, the Glens’ early pressure paid off when Pat Hoban climbed above his marker to power in an Amos corner for his first Glentoran goal. The pressure continued as Fisher and Lindsay threatened, with Kelly and Larmour both denied by goal-line clearances from corners.

Hoban deservedly doubled the lead on 33 minutes when he converted another towering header, this time from Cooney’s cross on the right, to send Devine’s side in 2–0 up at the break.

After half time Fisher went close with a near post header from a corner and Lindsay tested the keeper from the edge of the box, while Burt bent a curling effort narrowly wide following a flowing move.

Ards pulled one back on 62 minutes when Zach Barr reacted quickest to slot in after a free kick squeezed through the wall and was parried by the Glens’ goalkeeper Peter Urminsky.

Devine introduced fresh legs on 68 minutes, with Jenkins replacing Fisher, Douglas on for Kelly and Ferris for Hoban. The change paid off almost immediately. With just over a quarter of an hour remaining, Jenkins pressed high just inside the area, charged down a clearance and saw the ball loop over the keeper to restore the two-goal cushion.

Burt, influential throughout, made way for Jude Johnson on 75 minutes, before Casey Smyth replaced Lindsay late on.

Ards struck the crossbar with a long-range attempt in the closing minutes and Cooney fired across goal after being teed up by Ferris, but the Glens saw out the game to book their place in the next round.

Full-Time: Glentoran 3 – 1 Ards
Glentoran: Urminský, Amos, Kelly, Larmour, Cooney, Singleton (c), Burt , Palmer, Lindsay, Hoban, Fisher
Subs: Mills, Douglas, Rogers Duffy, Johnson, Smyth, Ferris and Jenkins.