Sat 19 Sep 2026, 20:00
Paddy McCourt praised Glentoran’s players for digging deep after a late Jordan Jenkins goal secured a vital 2-1 victory over Cliftonville at Solitude.
Jack Malone headed the Glens in front after 15 minutes before Dean McMaster brought Cliftonville level with an excellent free-kick in the 33rd minute.
Both sides created opportunities during an open second half, but the decisive moment arrived with seven minutes remaining. Cliftonville failed to clear a Glentoran corner and Jenkins fired home from close range to restore the visitors’ lead.
The Glens were reduced to 10 men when Malone received a second yellow card in the 87th minute, but held firm during the closing stages to secure all three points.
“I’m really proud,” said McCourt. “Both teams had chances in the game.
“I thought we defended really well, which is something we probably haven’t been doing.
“The goal Cliftonville scored was a real top-quality strike from a free-kick, but I’m absolutely delighted for everybody involved, the players, the staff and the supporters , because it has been a tough week.
“Tuesday night was a hard one to take, with the goal coming with the last kick of the game. To come here, to a difficult place, and get three points is really pleasing.”
Glentoran were without Conor McMenamin and James Singleton after both players picked up knocks against Coleraine and failed to recover in time for the trip to Solitude.
Their absence added to an already lengthy injury list, but McCourt was delighted with how those available responded.
“We probably knew yesterday that we weren’t going to have them,” he explained. “The two of them took knocks against Coleraine and hadn’t recovered in time.
“That was another two players out of an already long list, so I have to give huge credit to the players who came here today.
“We were down bodies, but we absolutely dug in for each other.
“I’m delighted to get the winner. We had good chances in the second half, as did Cliftonville, in fairness, but I’m really delighted to get the three points.”
McCourt hopes the victory can provide Glentoran with confidence and momentum ahead of next weekend’s meeting with Carrick Rangers at The BetMcLean Oval.
“You have to start somewhere,” he added. “We have come to a really difficult venue and got three points.
“We now have Carrick next week, who are also a good side, but we need to go into that game aiming for three points, as we should in every game.
“Today is a start. We have a week now to prepare for Carrick and the aim will be three points.”
