Tuesday 5th March
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow evening we travel to Lurgan for the game postponed on January 19th, our third Danske Bank Premiership meeting of the season with Glenavon.
Having looked set to push for a place in the top 6 after a strong run of results during November and December, Glenavon’s recent form has been less impressive and they will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of exiting both Cup competitions and falling back to 10th position in the league table since the onset of 2024. Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Crusaders was a 6th game in all competitions without a win, but manager Stephen McDonnell will draw confidence from their recent home 2-2 draw with second placed Linfield that his side can push the top 6 sides all the way in a one-off matchup.
The previous fixture at Mourneview Park on the opening day of the season saw late drama as Glentoran grabbed all 3 points deep into stoppage time, Jay Donnelly tapping home a low cross from Shay McCartan from close range. With 9 players brought in and 10 departures during the January transfer window, it is likely to be a Glenavon side with a much-changed team on display from the 2 games earlier in the campaign. The return at the Bet McLean Oval in October was a more comfortable affair as 2 goals from Junior and one from Paddy McClean gave the Glens a 3-0 half time lead which an injury time free kick goal from Jack Malone could do nothing to offset.
Goalkeeper Mark Byrne will be hoping to retain his place in the side after taking over from fellow January signing Gareth Deane at Seaview. Experienced defender Mark Haughey missed the defeat to the Crues after being substituted during the previous game at Cliftonville along with midfielders Isaac Baird and Darren Clarke and forward Lido Lotefa. Former Glentoran defender Calum Birney has been a longer-term injury absentee.
Warren Feeney: “It was very pleasing to get the win on Saturday and get through to the Irish Cup semi-final. We had to work hard for it but we played confidently and with 2 very good goals from David and Charlie it was a good, solid performance and victory. Being drawn against Linfield in the semi adds a bit more spice to the tie and our immediate priority is to make sure the venue is decided fairly.
But now the focus switches straight back to the league with tomorrow’s game at Mourneview. Glenavon have had a tough month or so, but since Stephen came in as Manager a few months ago he’s made a lot of changes, brought a number of his own men in and they[re capable of getting a result against most teams. It’ll be a tough game as it’s never easy at Mourneview, but we’ll approach it the right way. It’s a challenge for some of our recovering players with such a quick turnaround after Saturday, but we’ll make our judgements at training and definitely put out a team we feel are capable of getting the three points. From now until the end of the season we need to have our supporters firmly and loudly behind the team and who knows what we’ll achieve together.”
Tickets for this game can be purchased HERE from the Glenavon website.
