Glentoran’s hopes of an automatic European spot were dealt a blow today as they went down 3-2 in a five-goal thriller against Dungannon Swifts in the Sports Direct Premiership at Stangmore Park.
The result keeps Declan Devine’s men in third, two points behind Larne, with the two teams set to meet in a high-stakes showdown next Saturday on the final day of the season.
John McGovern opened the scoring for Dungannon early on, before Jordan Jenkins levelled for the Glens. Leo Alves then restored the hosts’ lead before the break. Jenkins struck again in the second half to make it 2-2, but Tomas Galvin netted an 85th-minute winner for the Swifts.
It was the home side who settled quickest and took the lead after just eight minutes. The Glens defence hesitated when Gael Bigirimana played a through ball into the path of McGovern, who capitalised by rounding Daniel Gyollai and slotting into the empty net.
However, Glentoran hit back just five minutes later through in-form striker Jordan Jenkins. The forward met Danny Amos’ corner with a firm header. Goalkeeper Declan Dunne got fingertips to it, but couldn’t keep it out as the Glens drew level.
While the East Belfast side pushed for a second, they nearly went behind again on 25 minutes. Steven Scott picked out Andy Mitchell in the box, but the forward couldn’t keep his header on target.
Glentoran then appeared to retreat slightly and after a warning shot from Adam Glenny that whistled just wide, Dungannon found the net again seven minutes before the break.
Kealan Dillon’s cross picked out Alves, who fired low through Gyollai’s legs to restore the home side’s lead – and it stayed 2-1 at the interval.
Half-Time: Dungannon Swifts 2 – 1 Glentoran

Dungannon threatened again early in the second half, with Mitchell once more getting on the end of a Glenny delivery, but failing to hit the target.
Just when Glentoran needed inspiration, Jenkins delivered again on 62 minutes.
Following a smart block by Fuad Sule in defence, Jenkins latched onto the loose ball, surged forward and coolly finished past Dunne to make it 2-2, much to the delight of the travelling support.
The Glens nearly turned the game on its head moments later, with Jenkins lurking for his hat-trick. Dylan Connolly burst down the right and fired in a low cross, but Dunne reacted sharply to smother the ball before it could reach the striker.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Dungannon struck late. Galvin picked up possession just outside the box, shifted the ball onto his left foot and rifled it into the bottom corner to seal all three points and leave Glentoran dejected.
Full-Time: Dungannon Swifts 3 – 2 Glentoran