Sat 3 Oct 2026, 20:00
Paddy McCourt believes Glentoran’s willingness to defend and fight for each other was key to their 2-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at The BetMcLean Oval.
James Singleton headed the Glens ahead five minutes before the break, before Jack Malone’s stoppage-time finish secured a third successive Premiership win and lifted the side to fourth in the table.
McCourt was particularly pleased with how his players responded during spells of Dungannon pressure, securing back-to-back clean sheets.
“It was a tough game,” he said. “There were periods in the game where we had to really defend and fight for each other. But the pleasing thing is we did that when we had to, like we have done in the previous couple of games.
“Last week against Carrick, we had periods in the game where we really had to defend for each other.
“I always believe this team will get chances and score goals. If we can keep the ball out of one end, I think we’ll win a lot of games in this league. That proved the point today.”
Andrew Mills made an important contribution to the clean sheet, with McCourt highlighting a second-half save that protected Glentoran’s lead.
“The save he makes was right out of the top drawer,” he said. “He doesn’t get much time to see it, and he managed to get his hand up and tip it over.”
There was also praise for Jarlath O’Rourke, who returned to first-team action following five months out through injury.
The defender was introduced at left-back after Singleton, already booked, received a warning from the referee.
Having played 45 minutes against Bangor during the week, O’Rourke impressed McCourt with how comfortably he stepped back into the side.
“The conditioning he has himself in is incredible. He’s just a top professional,” he said. “To be honest, he played the other night as if he was never away.
“He sort of epitomised what we were about today. We didn’t want to make the change, but we had to. Jarlath coming on was absolutely brilliant.”
For McCourt, the recent run has provided an important lift for everyone at the club, although he remains focused on winning matches rather than the early-season standings.
“It’s the first week of October, so league tables aren’t that important. But winning matches is really important, especially at this football club,” he said.
“Everyone needed a lift. We needed a lift after Declan leaving. The players needed a lift and the supporters needed a lift.
“Hopefully we’ve been able to provide that for them the last few weeks.”
Glentoran travel to Shamrock Park on Friday night to face Portadown, with McCourt keen to build on both the results and the defensive improvement.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he added. “But we’re going there in good form, off the back of three good wins.
“We’re going there as a team that are hopefully turning a corner in terms of giving away soft goals.
“We’re going to try and win the game, but we know it’s not going to be easy.”
