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Glentoran Seconds 2021/22 Season

Glentoran Seconds 4-0 Dungannon Swifts Reserves

Saturday 28th August 2021

Glentoran Seconds made a great start to their league season at the Oval today, with a convincing win over the Swifts.

Following last week’s success in the Steel & Sons Cup, the Wee Glens were bursting to go again and get their league campaign off to a winning start. To play at the Oval, with the sun shining, just added to the occasion and the excitement.

The starting 11 had a mix of real experience, blended with some eager young talent - Willie Garret, Joe Crowe and Gael Bigirimana alongside Seamus Duffy, Aaron Wightman, Ben Cushnie, Corai Quinn, Jonny Russell and the youngest of the wee Glens, Mitchel Watterson, at just 16, on the bench.

The Glens got off to a flier with a well worked 4th minute short corner. Seamus Duffy played a one-two with Aaron Wightman before swinging the ball deep into the box. The Dungannon defence struggled to clear their lines and could only find Shay Burns who duly played the ball back into the box where Jordan Jenkins pounced and rifled the ball into the net. 1-0 Glentoran.

Unfortunately, the goal didn’t settle the early match jitters and, truth be told, both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Perhaps the heat and first game rustiness were having an impact with both sides guilty of giving away possession while trying to force the pace of play. If anything, the young Dungannon side seemed driven to make their mark and their determination was causing the Glens some concern. That said, young Kai Beck, in the Glens’ goal, was never truly bothered, dealing confidently with anything that came his way, even rushing off his line for one through ball playing the keeper / sweeper role and heading the ball clear.

Half - Time Glentoran 2nds 1 - 0 Dungannon Swifts 2nds 

 

Goalscorers Jordan Jenkins and Ben Cushnie

Whatever Norman Kelly’s team talk was at half time it definitely did the trick as the Glens came out and played some fantastic intricate football with neat, crisp, zipped passing opening up the Dungannon defence on several occasions. Some great passages of play ensued with Bigi pulling the strings, finding Wightman, Duffy, Cushnie, Quinn and Jenkins driving into space and causing havoc amongst the Dungannon defence.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw the Glens create 5 clear cut chances, however, it wasn’t until the 61st minute whenever Bigi found Jordan Jenkins that the score was doubled. Once again young Jenkins was clinical with his finish. Similarly, in the 77th minute, some fantastic work from Seamus Duffy again found Jenkins who once again displayed predatory instinct and duly completed his hat-trick.

The Glens continued to dominate the game and in the 86th minute Ben Cushnie was rewarded for his hard graft, chasing down a lost ball, winning it back, showing some individual brilliance before calmly slotting the ball into the net.

If it wasn’t for Jordan Jenkins’ hat-trick, the man of the match award could have been given to several of the Wee Glens in a great opening game. A fantastic result and the first 3 points on the board.

Full - Time   Glentoran 2nds 4 - 0 Dungannon Swifts 2nds

Glentoran Seconds: Kai Beck, Corai Quinn (captain), Shay Burns, Willie Garrett, Jonathan Russell, Gael Bigirimana, Joe Crowe, Aaron Wightman, Seamus Duffy, Ben Cushnie, Jordan Jenkins, Subs: Ben McCaul, Diarmud O'Hanlon, Rory McLaughlan, Michael Watterson, Ben Logan

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Ards Rangers 1-3 Glentoran Seconds

Saturday 21st August 2021

Glentoran 2nds travelled to Ards Rangers for the second round of the Steel & Sons Cup today, and their first competitive match since before the lockdown in March 2020.

The young squad had been training hard during pre-season, under the coaching of their Manager Norman Kelly, and were buzzing to get playing again. The boys were boosted by Willie Garrett's experience as just skipper Corai Quinn, Aaron Wightman and Seamus Duffy were there when the Seconds played their last competitive game in March 2020.

The first 20 minutes were scrappy with both teams playing at a frantic pace, struggling to adjust to the blustery conditions. First blood went to the home side through a well worked corner with a strong header from James Patterson finding the back of the Glentoran net.

The Glens Seconds responded by putting together some crisp, fast paced, quality patterns of play with Jonny Russell and Corai Quinn, the two fullbacks, pushing forward interlinking with the midfield and wingers. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Seamus Duffy and Jordan Jenkins got behind the Ards defence with the covering tackle resulting in a corner for the young Glens.

Seamus Duffy drove the ball deep, Willie Garret and Shay Burns charged into the box, occupying the Ards Rangers Centre Backs while young Ben McCaul peeled off round the back and met the ball full on with a perfectly timed header powering past the Ards Rangers keeper…….1-1 going into the break.

The second half saw the young Glens come out and play at a much higher tempo that stretched, challenged and moved the home side around the pitch. The Glens really started to get a hold of the game, although, it was a long clearance down the left flank that would ultimately unlock the Ards Rangers defence and lead to Jordan Jenkins first goal for Glentoran. Appeals for off side were waved away by the referee. 2-1 Glens.

Ards Rangers tried to chase the game with their full backs pushing further up the pitch looking for an equaliser. The Glens responded with some high quality counter attacks……. Aaron Wightman, Tomas Mathews, Seamus Duffy and Jordan Jenkins were all finding more and more opportunities to run at the Ards Rangers defence.

A moment of brilliance saw young Seamus Duffy dance past the Ards defenders into the box where he opened up his body and stroked the ball with the outside of his left foot bending it past the stranded Ards Rangers keeper. 3-1 Glentoran.

The Glens took control and saw out the remaining 10 minutes of the game.

Final score 3-1 Glentoran 2nds.

Glentoran Seconds: Kai Beck, Corai Quinn (Captain), Willie Garrett, Shay Burns, Jonathan Russell, Ben McCaul, Aaron Wightman, Diarmud O'Hanlon. Rory McLaughlan, Seamus Duffy, Jordan Jenkins Subs: Tomas Matthews, Mitchel Watterson, Ben Logan, Bailey Ruberry

 

 

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Glentoran Under 20s 2019/20 Season

 

 

Larne U20s  1-4 Glentoran U20s

Wednesday 29 January 2020

   

Goalscorers Sean Wallace, Lewis McGarvey and Matthew Lusty

Glentoran travelled to Inver Park on Wednesday evening for another clash with the East Antrim side.

The two sides played out two very close encounters this season already including a friendly in pre-season and this was no different despite the scoreline.

Glentoran played some lovely football on the night and dominated long spells of possession but Larne were always willing to get the ball down and play too and were dangerous on the break.

A fine flowing move starting from Goalkeeper McLaughlin through Centre half White and left  back Carson into midfield to Lindsay then wide to Duffy was finished off with a sweeping finish from Lusty getting on the end of Duffy's inviting cross. This after the Glens had survived an early scare when Larne headed off the post.

Larne levelled before half time from the penalty spot. The Glens missed several chances and the score therefore remained at 1-1 at half time

Half time: Larne U20 1-1 Glentoran U20

Larne struck the wood work early in the second half just as they had in the first when a superb diving save from McLaughlin was enough enough to finger tip a long range drive onto the post.

The Glens went back in front again soon after, A wonderful turn by Duffy left his marker for dust and his pass was met by Lusty who was impeded for a free kick. Duffy's resulting free kick was tipped over the bar and Lewis McGarvey was on hand to nod home at the back post.

The returning Sean Wallace was the most composed man in Larne when he took a cool touch inside a crowded 6 yard box before finishing for 3-1 and he showed that composure in equal measure moments later when he latched on to a superb pass from McBride to lob the ball over the on rushing keeper for 4.

The end of the game was marred by a nasty looking  injury to new signing Liam Carr who was stretchered off but thankfully he was able to put weight on the injury and walked out of the dressing rooms and it didn't seem to be as bad as first feared. We thank Larne staff and physio for their help in treating Liam.

Final score:  Larne U20 1-4 Glentoran U20
 

Man of the Match Seamus Duffy

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Matthew Carson 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Jake White 6. Jamie McDonnell 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Charlie Lindsay 9. Sean Wallace 10. Caolan McBride 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Fearghal McGarrity (for Mcdonnell 60) 13. Elliott Wood (for Lusty 65) 14. Liam Carr (for Wallace 70) m15. Scott Rolleston (debut) ( for Jake White 75) 16. Aaron Wightman (for McBride 75)

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Glentoran U20s 3-0 Institute U20s

Saturday 18th January 2020

MOTM Caolan McBride

Glentoran 20s romped to a 3-0 win over Institute at the Cliff Complex in Larne today to extend their current unbeaten run in the u20 league.

Caolan McBride turned in a fine performance in the middle of the park and pulled the strings as the Glens dominated the opening exchanges. McBride went close with a 20 yard curler before he crashed an 18 yard pile driver off the under side of the bar.

Seamus Duffy also went close from a couple long range efforts before Matthew Lusty opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort.

Lusty picked the ball up inside the opposition half and strode forwards passed three challenges before firing into the bottom corner from 18 yards with a sweet left foot shot.

The Glens remained in control throughout the second half and it was no surprise when Sean Wallace doubled the Glens advantage as he finished off some industrious work from Brown and Falls.

Falls himself sealed the points with the third as he raced clear to bend a shot round the advancing Stute keeper for three.

Congratulations to Sean Wallace making his second Glentoran debut today after re-signing from Belfast Celtic and also to Fearghal McGarrity, James Morgan and Conor Falls making their competitive u20 debuts.

Man of the Match: Caolan McBride

Glens U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn (c) 3. Matthew Carson 4. Jake Wallace 5. Jake White 6. Mal Smith 7. Charlie Lindsay 8. Caolan McBride 9. Matthew Lusty 10. Sean Wallace 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Fearghal McGarrity (for Lindsay 65) 13. Harry Wilson (for Wallace 65) 14. Eoin Brown (for Caolan McBride 70) 15. James Morgan (for Duffy 75) 16. Conor Falls (for Lusty 75)

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Glentoran U20 player of the Month for December is Matthew Carson.

Matthew has been a regular and dependable servant to the 20s since the tail end of last season when making his debut aged 14 in a friendly against Harland and Wolf Welders and man marking Davy Rainey.

This season Matthew has shown his class consistently and he has enjoyed a very good December with an accomplished performance against Steven Garrett against Cliftonville at Dundela. Matthew then showed his character after having a tough first half against Cliftonville at Solitude in the Intermediate Cup he responded well an had a superb second half.

He earned his team three points at Seaview with a world class stoppage time goal saving tackle before scoring Glentorans third equaliser on the way to a 4-3 at Ballymena at the end of the month.

During December Matthew also received an offer of a scholarship starting next season at Southampton.

Well done Matthew.

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Ballymena United U20 3-4 Glentoran U20

Saturday 28th December 2019

   

Benji Magee, Matty Carson and Jake Wallace

Glentoran and Ballymena played out a festive cracker at the Showgrounds on Saturday with the Glens coming out on top of a 7 goal thriller.

The Glens were never in front in the game until the 94th minute when Benji Magee clinched the points with a swivel and shot between the keepers legs.

Glentoran  fielded an even younger team again than the previous match against Crusaders with Captain Sean Gallagher not available the average age of the starting 11 was just 16.01 years - surely one of the the youngest reserve teams the Glens have ever fielded?

That inexperience caught the Glens out as Ballymena broke from a Glentoran attack and sprung the offside trap to score.

The Glens worked hard to get back into the game and equalised in the 35th minute when Benji Magee tapped in the rebound from a Charlie Lindsay free kick.

Ballymena regained the lead early in the second half when McBrides pass back was intercepted and Ballymena ran through to score.

Glentoran equalised again, this time from a corner - Bailey Hoy headed back across goal and Jake Wallace, making his first appearance in 9 weeks due to injury rammed home the Glens second.

Ballymena again capitalised on some naive Glentoran defending to make it 3-2.

Glentoran displayed a great never say die attitude and the impact of subs Wightman and Wood was telling as their high energy approach lead to Wightman crossing for wood whose shot fell to Carson to finish with his right foot for 3-3.

Just when it looked to be heading for a draw with 4 of the additional 5 minutes played, Magee struck the winner.

Man of the Match - Jake Wallace

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn (c) 3. Matthew Carson 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Jake White 6. Harry Wilson 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Charlie Lindsay 9. Benji Magee 10. Caolan McBride 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Aaron Wightman (for Lusty 70) 13. Elliott Wood (for Duffy 70) 14. Eoin Brown (for McBride 65) 15. Jake Wallace (for Wilson 60)

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Crusaders U20  1-2 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 18th December 2019

Goalscorer Matthew Lusty

Glentoran sent out one of the youngest teams ever fielded by a Glentoran Seconds team away to table topping Crusaders.

The weather  conditions were atrocious at Seaview and the Glens were playing into a gale in the first half.

Despite this the Glens hurt the Crues consistently on the counter attack with a Quinn cross being put through his own goal by a Crusaders defender for 1-0. Midway through the half it was 1-1 however when a second O.G. was scored after Bailey Boy's clearance crashed off Charlie Lindsay and into the Glentoran goal.

Matthew Lusty restored the Glens lead before the break when he rounded the keeper to finish off another incisive counter attack.

Both teams battled gamely in the terrible conditions in the second half but there was no further score thanks chiefly to a superb last ditch tackle  by Matthew Carson as the Crues almost equalised with the last kick of the game

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. Matthew Carson 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Jake White 6. Harry Wilson 7.  Matthew Lusty 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Benji Magee 10. Charlie Lindsay 11. Eoin Brown

Subs: 12. Aaron Wightman 13. Jonny Russell 14. Elliott Wood

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Glentoran Seconds 0-2 CliftonvilleOlympic

Saturday 14th December 2019

Intermediate Cup

Glens crashed out of the Intermediate Cup conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes against league favourites in the u20 league. The Glens never recovered from being 2 goals down and despite enjoying some second half possession and territory never really threatened the Reds keeper

Glentoran 2nds: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Matthew Carson 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Jake White 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Salou Shallow 8. Mal Smith 9. Benji Magee 10. Charlie Lindsay 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Matthew Lusty 13. Harry Wilson 14. Jamie McDonnell

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Glentoran U20 player of the month for November is Charlie Lindsay

 

In a month of only two games it was hard for anyone to stand out too much  but one person that did was Charlie Lindsay with a goal and two assists against Institute in a five nil win followed up by a battling display away to Dungannon with an International call up in between. Well done Charlie.

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Glentoran U20 1-4 Cliftonville U20

Wednesday 4 December 2019

Man of the Match Seamus Duffy

Glentoran faced the league leaders on Wednesday evening at Dundela missing several regular u20 players.

The oldest player in the match day squad this evening was goalkeeper Paul McLaughlin at 19 and Paul was taken off with a head injury on 25 minutes with Eoin Brown having to step into goals for the remainder of the game. Prior to that Paul had made two superb saves from Stephen Garrett.

Eoin to his credit done a very commendable job between the posts.

Cliftonville took the lead on ten minutes and had the lions share of possession though without troubling Eoin. Seamus Duffy had a great effort come back off the bar and Elliott Wood was inches away from getting on the end of a tantalising Duffy cross but the half ended 1-0.

Glentoran  stuck rigidly to the game plan with the young side showing great maturity in keeping the reds at bay and looking  dangerous on the break.

From one such break Caolan Mcbride was up ended by the keeper and the ref pointed to the penalty spot.  Caolan dispatched the spot kick for 1-1.

The tie wasn't level for long however as the Reds got in behind the Glens back line to shoot into a 2-1 lead.

Soon after it was 3 and the game was done and dusted though the Blend continued to battle andi push to Get back into the game with McBride a real driving force and Duffy looking very lively. Duffy went on a trademark mazy run through four tackles in the box and fired  into the side netting before the Reds grabbed a fourth to seal the win and perhaps put a harsh reflection on the scoreline for the Glens, although the Reds did merit the three points the fourth goal was cruel on the young Glentoran team with an average age of 15.8 on the night.

Man of the Match Seamus Duffy

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Harry Wilson 3. James Clarke 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Jake White 6. Matthew Carson 7. Eoin Brown 8. Caolan McBride 9. Elliott Wood 10. Charlie Lindsay (c) 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Matthew Willis (for McLaughlin 25) 13. Lewis Davidson (for Clarke 65) 14. Kody Teeny-McClintock (for Wood 75)

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Dungannon Swifts U20 2-1 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 27 Noveember 2019

Man of the Match Paul McLaughlin

Glentoran played for the first time in three weeks this evening following the Glenavon and Institute games being postponed.

Dungannon are flying high near the top of the reserve league this season and progressed to the final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup at the weekend so they are in a rich vein of form but the first half was fairly even with the Glens looking dangerous on the break and restricting Dungannon to efforts from distance.

Darren Murray fired Glentoran into the lead in the 50th minute, getting on the end of a flowing move which he started close to the half way line.

Dungannon weren't behind for long tho as the equalised on 65. A cross from the right broke to their striker whose snap shot was brilliantly saved by Paul McLaughlin but their tricky winger was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Antonio Duric fired o er the bar when we'll placed on two occasions before the ref waved away penalty appeals when McCarthy was shoved to the ground and Duric was  on the end of a high tackle.

Jallow and Magee both came close as it looked like the Glens would find a winner but Dungannon hit a sucker punch at the far end on the 88th minute with a bullet like header from a right wing cross for 2-1.

Man of the match - Paul McLaughlin

Glentoran U20:1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Lewis McGarvey 3. Matthew Carson 4. James McCarthy 5. Calum Birney 6. Jamie McDonnell 7. Charlie Lindsay 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Darren Murray 10. Antonio Duric 11. Salou Jallow

Subs:  12. Harry Wilson (for McDonnell 65) 13. Matthew Lusty (for Carson 65) 14. Benji Magee (for Murray 60) 15. Jake White (for Birney 60)

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Glentoran U20 5-0 Warrenpoint Town U20

Saturday 2 November 2019

14-year old debut goalscorer, Cormac McNally

 

Glentoran bounced back from midweek disappointment in Ballymena to record a comfortable 5-0 win at home to Warrenpoint.

Point defended resolutely and it was 0-0 at the break despite dominance from Glentoran. The closest the Glens came to scoring was a Matty Lusty strike off the crossbar before Seamus Duffy struck the post

5 minutes into the second half Benji Magee broke the deadlock with a neat strikers finish and Charlie Lindsay settled any remaining doubt when he broke the off side trap to grab a classy second.

Lindsay then turned provider for James McCarthy to make it 3.

It was then McCarthy's turn to grab am assist as he slipped a perfect ball into the path of young debut boy Cormac McNally who colly slotted under the keeper for four.

To continue the trend of scorers turning provider McNally found Corai Quinn who hammered home the fifth in stoppage time to seal a good afternoons work for the Glens

Man of the Match - impossible to split the impact of the returning duo of Charlie Lindsay and Jamie McDonnell in midfield

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. James McCarthy 4. Lewis McGarvey (C) 5. Bailey Hoy 6. Jamie McDonnell 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Charlie Lindsay 9. Benji Magee 10. Salou Jallow 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Jonny Russell (for Duffy 65) 13. Jake White (for Lindsay 70) 14. Cormac McNally (for Lusty 75)

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Corai Quinn wins U20s October Award

Glentoran Under 20 Player of the Month for October is Corai Quinn.

Corai is a versatile player who mostly plays at right back and has stepped into the position vacated by Mal Smith's promotion to the first team and has become an established player in his own right.

U20S Manager David Lowry said of the award: “Corai has a great engine and works tirelessly up and down the right flank - he can also play on the left with as much composure and effect.

In October Corai contributed well to a clean sheet and 3-0 win away to Carrick before grabbing a great last minute equaliser against Larne in our recent 2-2 draw and showed his burgeoning experience with a commanding display in a very young team this week away to Ballymena as he stepped up into more of a leadership role on the pitch”.

Well done Corai.

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Ballymena United U20 2-1 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 20 October 2019

Glentoran lost away to Ballymena this evening having lost an early lead provided by a neat finish from Benji Magee after good work down the right by Eoin Brown.

A defensive mix up lead to an equaliser for Ballymena just before half time and that seemed to take the wind out of Glentoran's sails as Ballymena looked the more likely winners in the second period.

Mid-way through the half United grabbed the winner with a neat near post finish from a low cross and despite the Glens enjoying some spells of possession late on they didn't really force a save from the United keeper

A learning curve for a very inexperienced Glentoran side missing 8 Internationals and with an average age of just 16.02 years there are sure to be better days ahead for this group.

Man of the Match - Jonny Russell

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ben Fry 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jonny Russell 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Jake White 6. Sean Gallagher (C) 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Eoin Brown 9. Benji Magee 10. Dylan Sloan 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Matthew Willis (for Sloan 60) 13. Kody Teeny-McLintock (for Lusty 65) 14. Shay Burns (for White 70) 15. Scott Rolleston (for Hoy 75)

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Valley Rangers 1-2 Glentoran U20s

Saturday 19 October 2019

 

Glentoran travelled to Kilkeel today for a very tough opening tie in this season's Intermediate Cup.

Valley Rangers are a highly rated side currently sitting on top of the Mid Ulster Intermediate League without defeat so it was always going to be a tough ask for the Glens.

Glentoran were boosted today by having almost a full panel of our highly rated young stars available - those who have been around the fringes of the first team squad in recent times.

Paul McLaughlin was solid between the sticks and was only really troubled once by Valley - when they took the lead after ten minutes.

For the rest of the half the Glens probed for an equaliser with Caolan McBride, Mal Smith and Salou Jallow all going close.

Corai Quinn got in behind the Valley defence and fired wide when we'll placed to equalise before Benji Magee rattled a post.

Early in the second half Magee did equalise as he acrobatically met a teasing cross to fire the ball in off the left hand post.

The Glens played some super football in the second period and really should have been out of sight long before Salou Jallow cashed in on brave play by Corai Quinn to steer home the winner.

Man of the Match (as awarded by the Intermediate Cup Committee) Benji Magee (top photo)

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. James McCarthy 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Jake White 6. Mal Smith 7. Caolan McBride 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Benji Magee 10. Salou Jallow 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Eoin Brown (for McBride 50) 13. Matthew Carson (for McCarthy 60) 14. Bailey Hoy (for Duffy 70) Ryan Dalzell (Unused)

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Carrick Rangers U20 0-3 Glentoran U20

 Wednesday 16 October 2019

Man of the Match Sean Gallagher

 

Glentoran U20 took to the field at Taylor's Avenue on Wednesday evening missing no fewer than 9 regular squad members through a mixture of illness, injury and International duty with 7 boys involved for Northern Ireland under 16s against Poland.

That gave an opportunity to others to show what they can do and they didn't waste the opportunity as they turned in a very solid display against a dogged Carrick side.

Salou Jallow - making his first appearance for the 20s since returning to the club opened the scoring with a superb curling shot from 20 yards on ten minutes as the Glens dominated the opening stages.

On 30 minutes it was 2-0 as Sean Gallagher bettered Salou's effort with a goal of the season contender from 25 yards into the top corner.

Dan Smith added a classy third in the second half with a goal to rival the quality of Gallagher's as he beat two men and lobbed the ball over the keeper from 20 yards and scored in off the post with his left peg.

Glentoran threatened to score more but settled in the end for a comfortable 3-0 win.

Man of the match Sean Gallagher

Team; 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. James Clarke 4. Jake White 5. James Mccarthy 6. Bailey Hoy 7. Caolan McBride 8. Dan Smith 9. Salou Jallow 10. Benji Magee 11. Sean Gallagher (c)

Subs: 12. James Morgan (for Clarke 60) 13. Matthew Willis (for Hoy 65) 14. Elliott Wood (for Magee 65) 15. Rory McLaughlin (for Jallow 75) 16. Seamus Duffy (for Smith 75)

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Cliftonville U20 5-0 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 9 October 2019

Man of the Match Lewis McGarvey

Glentoran came up against a previously undefeated Cliftonville side this evening who have stolen a march at the top of the u20 League and in doing so came up against the best side faced so far this season.

The scoreline was perhaps a little harsh on Glentoran though there is no doubt Cliftonville deserved their victory, physically stronger and sharper all over the pitch and playing good football into the bargain.

However it took them to punish Glentoran for silly mistakes to get on the score sheet with a mix up between centre back and goalkeeper leading to the latter fouling the Reds striker for a penalty for one nil and then a failure to track runners left a Reds player free in the box to finish for 2-0.

Matty Lusty came closest for the Glens in the first half with his shot being cleared off the line after some great footwork fashioned an opening.

Cliftonville scores within 5 minutes of the re-start, this time a free header from a corner as the inexperienced Glens back line ball watched.

Another penalty made it 4 on the hour mark before Cliftonville sealed the scoring with a 5th a minute from the end. In between those goals the Glens played some decent football but failed to really create many clear cut chances. Seamus Duffy hit the angle of post and bar in the second half and other than that the Reds keeper was rarely troubled.

A harsh learning curve for Glentoran this evening against an older, more physically stronger and quicker Reds outfit who will go close to the u20 title this season.

Glentoran man of the match - Lewis McGarvey

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. Matthew Carson 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Daniel Smith 7. Sean Gallagher 8. Caolan McBride 9. Benji Magee 10. Matthew Lusty 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Jamie McDonnell (for Magee 50) 13. Harry Wilson (for Hoy 55) 14. Jake White (for McBride 60) 15. Matthew Willis (for Lusty 65)

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Glentoran U20 2-7 Crusaders U20

Wednesday 2 October 2019

Man of thye Match Charlie Lindsay

 

A second half collapse at Wilgar Park saw Glentoran slump to a heavy defeat against Crusaders in this u20 League game.

Crusaders took the lead on ten minutes through on loan Oldham player Harry Robinson as he fired in from 20 yards. Darren Murray equalised with a great header for Glentoran before Willie Garrett poked home from 12 yards after a set piece.

The lead didn't last long for Glentoran as Crusaders levelled the scoring through Paul McElroy.

Glentoran lost James McCarthy to illness and within 30 seconds of the change right winger Robinson doubled his haul for the evening when cutting inside and shooting from 20 yards into the bottom corner.
Tom Byrne had a great chance to level the game at 3-3 early in the second half but his tame effort came back off the post and was scrambled clear by Colin Coates and that was to be as close as Glentoran would come in the second period.

A defensive mix up lead to an easy fourth for the Crues from Robinson again for his hat-trick and this signalled a collapse by the Glens as the Crues ran in two more quick goals from McElroy for 6-2 and to put the game beyond the Glens.

There was time still for a seventh as Robinson grabbed his fourth of the evening direct from a free kick after Garrett had been sent off for a last man challenge.

Man of the match : Charlie Lindsay

Team: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Lewis McGarvey 3. James McCarthy 4. William Garrett 5. Cameron Stewart 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Charlie Lindsay 8. Mal Smith 9. Darren Murray 10. Antonio Duric 11. Thomas Byrne

Subs: 12. Dan Smith (for Duric 75) 13. Corai Quinn (for McCarthy 25) 14. Matthew Lusty (for Lindsay 75) 15. Caolan McBride (for Byrne 65) 16. Eoin Brown (for Gallagher 85)

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Warrenpoint Town U20 1-5 Glentoran U20

Saturday 21 September 2019

Man of the Match Bailey Hoy

Glentoran produced a stunning second half display at Milltown today that blew Warrenpoint away in what was a very accomplished display from the very young Glens team. containing only two players with any first team experience.

16 year old Matty Lusty opened the scoring as he fired into the roof of the net after Seamus Duffy bravely challenged the keeper. That goal came ten minutes into the game after a superb start from the visitors but the Glens took the foot off the pedal and Warrenpoint grew into the game, eventually equalising ten minutes from the break. This woke Glentoran back up again and Matty Lusty almost doubled his tally as he forced a good save from the Point keeper. Just a minute later our returning Captain Sean Gallagher headed home Glentoran's second in his first competitive game of the season.

Half time Warrenpoint Town U20 1-2 Glentoran U20

The second half was a joy to watch as Glentoran really clicked and ran in three great goals. Duffy set up Beni Magee for 3-1 before Gallagher found Lusty on the right whose cross was turned in by Eoin Brown for 4-1. Benji Magee grabbed his second and Glentoran's fifth from another Duffy pass to finish the scoring for the afternoon. Caolan McBride went close to adding to Glentoran's tally on a couple of occasions but his best efforts were well blocked by Point defenders and so it finished 5-1. Bailey Hoy proved to be a rock at the back on the day for Glentoran earning him the man of the match award for the game. Warrenpoint 1-5 Glentoran

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Dan Smith 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Bailey Hoy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Benji Magee 8. Caolan McBride 9. Matthew Lusty 10. Eoin Brown 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Matthew Carson (for Smith 50) 13. Bailey Locke (for Duffy 68)

 

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Larne U20 3-2 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 11 September 2019

Two goal Matthew Lusty

Glentoran u20's rollercoaster start to the season took a dip on Wednesday night with a 3-2 defeat at Larne.

Before kick off both teams stood for a minute silence in respect of the passing of Billy Cummings, grandfather of Glentoran u20 staff member Jason Cummings.

Glentoran flew out of the blocks and Seamus Duffy smashed a volley off the bar after 30 seconds and the Glens continued to boss the opening exchanges before Larne grew into the game tha is mainly to their pace on the counter attack.

Despite Glentoran's  strong start to the game it was Larne who broke the deadlock with a speculative cross come shot from the right that dipped over the helpless Paul McLaughlin in goals.

Matty Lusty had the ball in the net at the other end soon after but was adjudged to be offside and the goal was chalked off.

Glentoran remained patient and asked questions of Larne without really forcing their goalkeeper into action.

Half time 1-0 Larne

Glentoran started the second half as they did the first, on the front foot, but it was Larne again who got on the score sheet as great persistence from their striker saw him force a shot home through a crowd of legs for 2-0 against the run of play.

A change of shape for the Glens allowed Larne native Matty Carson to play higher up on the left hand side and it was on one of his raids into the box that brought about the opportunity for the Glens to halve the deficit. Carson drew a foul from the Larne full back and the ref pointed to the spot.

Matthew Lusty converted clinically for 1-2.

Five minutes later it was 2-2 as Carson was again felled in the box and again Lusty drilled the ball home to equalise.

Glentoran went in search of a winner and came agonisingly close when a Quinn cross was just inches too high for Lusty who had the goal at his mercy.

Larne were still looking dangerous with their pace on the break and had chances themselves to win it and just as it looked as though there would be a share of the spoils Carson got himself involved in a third penalty incident on the night, unfortunately this time in our own box, as he brought down Larne's winger for a 93rd minute spot kick - when the ref had already indicated there would be three minutes of added on time.

A harsh way to lose a match but more good experience for the young Glentoran players.

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin (c) 2. Corai Quinn 3. Matty Carson 4. Jake White 5. Dan Smith 6. Jake Wallace 7. Matty Lusty 8. Charlie Lindsay 9. Benji Magee 10. Caolan McBride 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Jamie McDonnell (for McBride 55)13. Eoin Brown (for Lindsay 50)14. Sam Morrow (for Benji Magee 60)15. Bailey Hoy (for White 72) 16. Harry Wilson (for Wallace 65)

Man of the Match: Matthew Lusty

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Institute U20 0-5 Glentoran U20

Saturday 31 August 2019

   

Antonio Djuric, Matty Lusty and Sam Morrow

Glentoran 20s followed up Wednesday nights solid 2-0 win at home to Ballymena with a superb display at the Brandywell and a convincing 5-0 win over the side that they pipped by a point to second place last season in Institute.

Glentoran controlled the tempo and pattern of the whole game with classy displays in the middle from Cushnie, McBride and Wallace.

Wightman was causing havoc down the right and almost opened the scoring himself before minutes later finding a sweet cross to Croatian debutant Antonio Djuric who volleyed home his first goal in Glentoran colours.

On the stroke of half time the Glens established the lead their dominance deserved with a cool second from Djuric as he latched onto a Magee through pass.

In the second half Glentoran weathered an early Institute storm before sub Matty Lusty was left with the freedom of the Brandywell for a composed finish for 3-0.

Lusty then turned provider for Djuric's hat-trick goal - a low finish past the keeper from 15 yards to seal a very impressive debut.

There was still time for Sam Morrow to slam home a fifth and put the gloss on a great afternoons work for Glentoran.

Goalscorers Antonio Djuric (3), Matty Lusty, Sam Morrow

Man of the Match:  Antonio DJuric

1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Aaron Wightman 3. Matthew Carson 4. Bailey Hoy 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jake White 7. Caolan McBride 8. Jake Wallace 9. Antonio Djuric 10. Ben Cushnie 11. Benji Magee

Subs: 12. Matthew Lusty (for Magee 50) 13. Sam Morrow (for Wightman 55) 14. James Clarke (for McBride 65) 15. Seamus Duffy (for Djuric 75) 16. Shay Burns (for Hoy 75)

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Glentoran U20 2-0 Ballymena United U20

Wednesday 28 August 2019

 

Benji Magee and Charlie Lindsay

The Wee Glens  turned in a vastly improved performance this evening as they controlled this game virtually all night and racked up a total of 28 goal attempts as they looked to get back on track after two dissapointing performances.

The game was notable for Glentoran Academy starlet Ethan Warnock making his debut for Ballymena United and we wish him well in his career there.

On the other hand there were a couple of competitive u20 debuts for Glentoran with Jonny Russell, Elliott Wood, Shay Burns and Aaron Boyd making their competitive bows for the Glens off the bench.

Despite a couple of near misses and three good claims for a penalty in the first half the game was scoreless at the break with Duffy and Cushnie causing Ballymena lots of problems in the opening period.

Benji Magee caused Ballymena a headache all night with his running and dribbling and his man of the match performance really deserved a goal but it was Matty Lusty with a cool finish who broke the deadlock in the game on 60 minutes before Charlie Lindsays wicked corner kick was deflected into the goal five minutes later for 2-0.

Glentoran, marshalled by Lewis McGarvey and the impressive Jake White kept things tight at the back for a first clean sheet of the season and will look to build on this performance over the coming weeks.

Goalscorers Benji Magee and Charlie Lindsay

Man of the Match: Benji Magee

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Bailie Hoy 3. Matthew Carson 4. Jake White 5. Lewis McGarvey (c) 6. Charlie Lindsay 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Eoin Brown 9. Benji Magee 10. Ben Cushnie 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Shay Burns (for Hoy 82) 13. Aaron Boyd (for Carson 80) 14. Jonny Russell (for Duffy 75) 15. Sam Morrow (for Lusty 65) 16. Elliott Wood (for Brown 85)

 

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Glentoran U20 2-7 Immaculata

Saturday 24 August 2019

A very young Glentoran U20 side (including five 15 year olds) crashed out of the Steel and Sons Cup on Saturday in the second round to an impressive Immaculata side for whom Pearse McVarnock - former Glens u20 player - put in a barn storming performance.

The Glens showed their inexperience in an opening 20 minute period  where they stood off the Mac and let them play and paid the penalty as Immaculata punished every mistake scoring four excellent goals in the opening 20 minutes - it seemed everything they hit in that period flew into the net.

A change of shape seemed to settle Glentoran down a bit and they grew into the game a little but were then caught out with a free header from a corner on the half hour to make it 5.

Half time substitute Benji Magee offered Glentoran the faintest glimmer of hope when he struck to pull one back but a minute later, a deflected shot made it 6-1 at the other end as McVarnock sealed his hat-trick.

Another free header from another corner made it 7-1 before Lewis McGarvey pulled one back from the penalty spot for 7-2.

A harsh learning curve for the young players who need to take the lessons from the game as they continue their step up to u20 level.

Man of the Match - Charlie Lindsay

Glens U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Lewis McGarvey 3. Matthew Carson 4. Cameron Stewart 5. James McCarthy 6. Caolan McBride 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Charlie Lindsay 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Eoin Brown 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Benji Magee (for Duffy 45) 13. Jake White (for Stewart 60) 14. Matthew Willis (for McBride 70) 15. Ben Fry (not used)

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Glentoran U20  0-1 Dungannon U20

Wednesday 21 August 2019

Glentoran U20 turned in a below par performance at Wilgar Park and came away with a second home defeat in as many games at the start of this season to lose 1-0 to Dungannon.

Glentoran U20 are a much changed and much younger outfit than last season and evenings like this one are an important step in the development of the next crop of young players. Tonight we were without our injured captain (Sean Og Gallagher) and vice captain (Lewis McGarvey), both very important and highly influential players in this young squad. Also injured awas regular starter Dan Smith while Charlie Lindsay, Jamie McDonnell, Harry Wilson and Jake Wallavce were playing for Nortern Ireland along with young players Elliott Wood and Calum Marshall. Jamie captained his country and Charlie scored twice against Estonia. So the young squad was shorn of some very important players.

We failed to impose ourselves on the game in the first period, standing off and allowing Dungannon to dictate proceedings. The Glens did fashion some good openings in the first period and none moreso than when Benji Magee found Matty Lusty I side the six yard box and as Matty Steadied himself to slot the ball home he was brought crashing to the ground by Dungannons CB for a penalty.

Seamus Duffy saw his penalty well saved however and the rebound was fired over and that was to be the closest the Glens came in the match. Dungannon made the breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining on the clock and despite Glentoran having a lot of the ball they never really threatened Dungannons keeper as the game fizzled out to a 1-0 defeat.

Man of the Match: James McCarthy

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. Ross Redman 4. Cameron Stewart 5. James McCarthy 6. Eoin Brown 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Caolan McBride 9. Benji Magee 10. Ben Cushnie 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. James Clarke (for Redman 30) 13. Jake White (for Stewart 45) 14. Matthew Willis (for McCarthy 70) 15. Dylan Sloan (for Brown 75)

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Coleraine U20 2-5 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 14 August 2019


Glentoran 20s got theirfirst win of the season this evening with three well earned points in Coleraine.

Cricky Gallagher opened the scoring with a sweet curling finish from 20 yards before James McCarthy powered in a header from a pin point Charlie Lindsay free kick.

Coleraine pulled the game back to 2-1 from the penalty spot but minutes later McCarthy was on the mark again, this time from a corner with a back post header for 3-1

On the stroke of half time Coleraine put the game back in the melting pot with a fine finish from a sweeping move for 3-2.

Coleraine started strongly in the second half but against the run of play Matty Lusty cut in from the right and fired in a super finish for 4-2.

That turned the game back in Glentoran's favour again and James McCarthy added his third and Glentoran's fifth with a scrambled finish for his first hat-trick at any level in a Glentoran shirt.

Scorers: James McCarthy (3), Cricky Gallagher, Matthew Lusty

Man of the Match: James McCarthy

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Jake Wallace 3. Corai Quinn 4. Jake White 5. James McCarthy 6. Cricky Gallagher 7. Matthew Lusty 8. Caolan McBride 9. Benji Magee 10. Charlie Lindsay 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs:  12. Jamie McDonnell (for McBride 55) 13. Matthew Willis (for Lusty 60) 14. Bailie Hoy (for Wallace 60)

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Glentoran U20 3-5 Glenavon U20

10 August 2019

Glentoran 20s started their season with a goal fest at Breda Park. Unfortunately for the Glens we came away with nothing in a 5-3 home defeat.

Glentoran stormed into an early lead with Van Overbeek crossing for O'Neill whose shot was blocked but Eoin Brown was on hand to squad the ball back to O'Neill for 1-0. Glentoran controlled the opening stages despite the obvious threat of Andrew Mitchell in the Glenavon attack. Young centre backs Bailie Hoy and Jake White on their first competitive starts for the 20s had their hands full but coped well for half an hour.

That was before Mitchell turned the game on its head with two goals in a minute. The first from a direct free kick that was drilled low into the bottom corner. The second just seconds later was a low drilled shot across the keeper from a wide angle that Dalzell would have hoped to have stopped.

Glentoran rallied and got back on level terms just before half time when Eoin Brown ran on to a Jake Wallace pass to slot home below the out rushing keeper for 2-2.

Within eight minutes of the re-start it was 4-2 to Glenavon.

The third came after a clash of heads and as the Glens waited for Glenavon to pass the ball back to the keeper, they instead played on slottinf a ball to Mitchell who squared for Matthew Ferguson for 3-2 as the Glens players stood watching in amazement. A few moments later Bailie Hoy stretched to make a tackle on Mitchell and put the ball behind for a corner but much to everyone's surprise the ref instead pointed to the penalty spot, indicating that Hoy had taken the player down after the ball had gone. Mitchell duly dispatched the spot kick for 4-2.

The Glens struggled to find a rythmn in the second half and despite having a lot of possession never really hurt Glenavon until Jake Wallace fired in from 25 yards for 4-3 and bring the Glens back into contention again.

As the Glens were pushing for an equaliser they were caught with a sucker punch as the ref waved play on for what looked a blatant foul on the half way line Glenavon took full advantage and ran through to score and kill off the game.

Scorers: Paul O'Neill, Eoin Brown, Jake Wallace

Man of the Match: Jake Wallace

Team: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. James McCarthy 4. Bailie Hoy 5. Jake White 6. Jake Wallace 7. Elvio van Overbeek 8. Dylan Sloan 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Eoin Brown 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Matthew Willis (for van Overbeek 60) 13. Benji Magee (for O'Neill 60) 14. Aaron Wightman (for Smith 60) 15. Lewis Davidson (for Sloan 75)

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Glentoran Under 20s 2018/19 Season

Glentoran Under 20s 2018/19 Season

Glentoran U20 4-0 Ballymena United U20

Saturday 13 April 2019

George Wilson Cup Round One

Glentoran U20 faced Ballymena for the second time in the space of four days, this time in the George Wilson Cup First Round, looking to make amends for a disappointing performance in midweek when the two sides played out a 3-3 draw.

Glentoran started the game full of purpose and intend and never really looked in trouble in the game with a dominant display, led by the returning Sean Gallagher and Jack Henderson in midfield.

It was Sean Gallagher who opened the scoring with a powerful header from a McVarnock corner on 20 minutes.

Within a minute it was 2 nil as a flowing move down the left saw Matthew Carson ride a challenge and sweep the ball home into the bottom corner of the net.

Just before half time Sean Wallace made it 3-0 as he fired into the roof of the net from 6 yards.

Glentoran continued to control the game in the second period, this time playing against the strong wind at The Oval, but had to wait until the 70th minute to stretch the lead further when Nathan Best ran on to a wonderful through ball from Wallace to brilliantly lob the keeper and seal the win that puts Glentoran into a second round tie away to Cliftonville

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. Matthew Carson 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Pearse McVarnock 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Sean Wallace 10. Jake Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Nathan Best (for McVarnock 60) 13. Seamus Duffy (for J. Wallace 60) 14. Liam Flack (for D. Smith 70) 15. Bailey Locke (for Cushnie 80) 16. McKenzie Pauley (not used)

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Glentoran U20 3-3 Ballymena United U20

Wednesday 10 April 2019

Glentoran gave themselves a mountain to climb in their final league game of the season with a first half horror show against Ballymena.

The Wee Glens were without Paul O'Neill, Sean Og Gallagher, Paul McLaughlin, Jamie Glover  and Jack Henderson (first team duty) and the suspended James McCarthy so went in with a very young team and bench.

Ballymena went in front after five minutes when their striker was left totally unmarked inside the six yard box for an easy finish.

Five minutes later the lead was doubled when Ballymena were queuing up on the edge of the box to rifle home - three unmarked players were left pressure free and one of them duly stepped up to hammer the ball into the bottom corner.

On the half hour mark it was 3-0 through a free header from a corner.

Glentoran were left shell shocked as they hadn't been over run or out played but had simply failed to perform going forward and had left themselves wide open to three Ballymena attacks.

Glentoran rallied and pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time as Lewis McGarvey gave the Glens a foothold in the game.

Glentoran made a double change at half time and Matthew Carson and Jake Wallace both impacted the game brilliantly in a much improved second half that seen Glentoran dominate possession and pull two goals back through Pearse McVarnock and Sean Wallace to leave the game level at 3-3.

We remain in second place, 14 points ahead of Institute, who have 5 games left

Glentoran U20: 1. McKenzie Pauley 2. Mal Smith 3. Corai Quinn 4. Liam Flack 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Dan Smith 7. Nathan Best 8. Bailey Locke  9. Pearse McVarnock 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Matthew Carson (for Flack 45) 13. Jake Wallace (for Locke 45) 14. Seamus Duffy (for Best 65) 15. Benji Magee (for Quinn 88) 16. Bailie Hoy (not used)

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Glentoran U20  4-1 Ards U20

Wednesday 3 April 2019

Glentoran played their penultimate league game of the season last night under the watchful gaze of new Head Coach Mick McDermott and first team Coach Paul Millar.

The U20 players met the new boss pre-game and certainly went about showing what they can do early in the game with a dominant first 30 minutes against Ards.

Lewis McGarvey opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Nathan Best corner before Best himself doubled the advantage getting on the end of a Corai Quinn cross at the back stick.

Ards struck back almost straight away to halve the deficit leading into the half time break.

In the second period Glentoran strolled a little, allowing Ards a foothold in the game but the introduction of the magical feet of Seamus Duffy sparked the Glens back into life as Mal Smith made it 3 from a Duffy cross and the Duffy played in Corai Quinn to make it four.

Duffy almost put the gloss on a great impact performance but unfortunately took a heavy touch after some superb work by Sean Wallace to set him in one on one with the keeper.

All in all a very satisfactory night with a notable debut for 14 year old Dylan Sloan. Congratulations Dylan!

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. Corai Quinn 4. Liam Flack 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Dan Smith 9. Sam Morrow 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Bailie Hoy (for McGarvey 30) 13. Matthew Carson (for Gallagher 55) 14. Seamus Duffy (for Morrow 65) 15. Dylan Sloan (for Best 80)

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Sean Joins team mates in Northern Ireland Squad

We're delighted to announce that U20s midfieder Sean Og Gallagher has been called uP to the Northern Ireland Under 18 Schoolboy squad for the forthcoming Centenary Shield matches against England (away) and Republic of Ireland (home). This is a very  deserved honour for Sean who has had a great season in our Under 20 team and recently made his first team debut in our home win over Warrenpoint Town.

Sean joins his colleagues Malachy Smith, Paul McLaughlin, Lewis McGarvey and Jamie Glover who were already U18 squad members.

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Harland and Wolff Welders (firsts) 2-2 Glentoran 20

Saturday 30 March 2019

Glentoran u20s, depleted through injuries and first team call ups put in a spirited performance in today's friendly against the team sitting 6th in the Championship.

The Welders took the lead late in the first half before Pearse McVarnock levelled early in the second.

The Welders then went in front through a McCarthy o.g. before James made amends a few minutes later scoring direct from a free kick.

The players picked out 15 year old Matthew Carson as their man of the match on the day. Well done Matthew!

Glebtoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Matthew Carson 4. Liam Flack 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. James McCarthy 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Pearse McVarnock 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Mason Weatherup (for Carson 82) 13. Benji Magee (for Wallace 70) 14. Cian Gantly (for Best 75) 15. Trialist (for Dalzell 45)

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Glentoran U20 0-3 Cliftonville U20

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Glentoran paid the price for a nightmare opening ten minutes as Ross Lavery had scored from a free kick and from the penalty spot inside ten minutes to give the Reds a 2-0 lead that they never looked in danger of losing.

The bright spark for Glentoran was the performance of the outstanding Caolan McBride in the centre of midfield, who at the age of 15 was making his first appearance for the 20s this season and was by some distance Glentoran's man of the match on the night.

Glentoran were without those regulars recently promoted to the first team squad - Paul O'Neill, James McCarthy, Mal Smith, Paul McLaughlin, Jamie Glover and Sean Gallagher (three of whom played in the weekend's win over the same opposition) with McBride, Ryan Dalzell and Liam Flack coming into the 11.

After the first ten minutes the Glens came into the game and enjoyed spells of good possession without really threatening the Reds goal, in fact the closest the Glens came was when a Reds defender hooked a clearance onto his own cross bar from 18 yards.

The second half was a dull affair with the Reds in control of the tempo and pattern of play - Glentoran suffered further disruption with two forced changes at half time with Dan Smith and Jack Henderson being forced off with injuries.

15 year old Matthew Carson came on at left back and put in a fantastic shift against Tomas Maguire and Ross Lavery.

The Reds finally got the third goal deep in injury time when former Glentoran player Padraig Slane scored from a tight angle to make it 3-0

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Ross Tharma 3. Corai Quinn 4. Liam Flack 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Caolan McBride 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Dan Smith

Subs: 12. Pearse McVarnock (for Henderson 45) 13. Matthew Carson (for Smith 45) 14. Benji Magee (for Cushnie 65) 15. Bailie Hoy (for Flack 75) 16. Aaron Wightman (for Tharma 75)

**Aaron Wightman's debut for the 20s tonight aged 14.

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Glentoran U20 2-1 Cliftonville U20

Saturday 23 March 2019

 

Goalscorers Ben Cushnie and Mal Smith

Glentoran sealed a minimum of a third place finish in the league this season with a hard fought 2-1 win over third placed Cliftonville.

Institute can still catch the Glens for second so the fight to seal second place will most likely go to the wire with three games to play for Glentoran.

Glentoran started this game slowly and had to clear one off the line early on through Mal Smith but after that the Glens settled into the game and the Reds failed to threaten the goal.

The best move of the half saw Nathan Best find Sean Wallace and Wallace's cross was slammed home by Ben Cushnie for 1-0 for Ben's twelfth goal of the season.

Glentoran started strongly in the second half and quickly doubled the lead through a trademark Mal Smith header from a corner. Incredibly, yjos was Mal's sixteenth goal from right back so far this season. A young Colin Nixon in the making.

The Glens then went to sleep from a corner at the other end for the Reds to half the deficit.

The second half then became a bit scrappy with no real clear cut chances created at either end and the Glens did just enough to see the game out for a 2-1 win.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Bailey Locke 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Corai Quinn (for Locke 5) 13. Seamus Duffy (for Best 70) 14. Benji Magee (for Tharma 75) 15. Jake White (for Cushnie 82)

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Glentoran U20 6-1 Ballymena United U20

Wednesday 20 March 2019

Glentoran got back to winning ways after a ten day break for International matches with a 6-1 win over Ballymena United

The side featured several players who have been called into the first team panel of late and they showed their credentials with a commanding performance.

Mal Smith opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a header from a corner kick.

The Glens were dominant but not clinical in the first half, eventually managing to add a second five minutes before the break through Sean Wallace.

Glentoran came out with renewed purpose in the second half and scored twice inside the first ten minutes of the half through Ben Cushnie and Sean Gallagher.

Two 15 year olds entered the fray for the last 40 minutes with Bailey Locke continuing his growing development at this level and Matthew Carson making his u20 debut at left back, replacing Captain Smith.

Benji Magee then grabbed his first two goals for the 20s, first through charging down the goalkeeper and profiting from a rebound and the second a well drilled finish from 18 yards after good work down the left by Tharma

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Corai Quinn 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Dan Smith 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Peter McMahon 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Bailey Locke (for Gallagher 60) 13. Matthew Carson (for Smith 50) 14. Ross Tharma (for Cushnie 60) 15. Liam Flack (for McGarvey 65) 16. Benji Magee (for Best 65)

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U20 Player of the Month for February

Congratulations to Sean Wallace on winning the U20 player of the month award for February.

February was a month in which the team struggled badly for form recording only one win out of four but the one constant in that month was the threat of Sean in forward areas and he contributed 3 goals in the month, at home to Warrenpoint to put us 3-2 ahead, away to Newry to open the scoring in that game and a late equaliser at home to Coleraine - all import goals for the team.

Sean was rewarded for his good recent form with a first team call up to the match day squad for the home game against Warrenpoint Town.

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Glentoran U20 2-3 Crusaders U20

Saturday 2 March 2019

Two goal skipper Mal Smith

Glentoran stumbled again on Saturday afternoon and have now failed to win any of their last four home games with this defeat to Crusaders following on from draws with Warrenpoint and Coleraine and a defeat to Glenavon leaving the Glens with a poor return of just one win in their last five games.

The Glens produced a poor first half display that seen us trail 3-1 at half time to a workman like Crusaders with the first goal coming after just 6 minutes from a deflected shot.

Mal Smith equalised from a corner to restore parity for a short period before the Crues grabbed a second.

A rash challenge from James McCarthy led to a penalty kick sealing the third goal for the Crues before half time.

In the second half the Glens played with the wind at their backs and pinned Crusaders in their own half for most of the second period but, despite Smith grabbing his second from a direct free kick, the Glens failed to really test the Crusaders keeper and so paid the price for a below par first half display and now have a real battle on their hands to cling on the second place in the table with any chance of winning the league now all but gone with this recent poor run of form.

Glens U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith  3. James McCarthy 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Dan Smith 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Jamie Glover

Subs: 12. Corai Quinn (for Best 70) 13. Ross Tharma (for McCarthy 45) 14. Liam Flack (for Cushnie 80) 15. Bailie Locke (for Henderson 80) 16. McKenzie Pauley (GK not used)

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Glentoran U20 2-2 Coleraine U20

Saturday 23 February 2019

Glentoran spurned the opportunity to move within three points of Linfield at the top of the table today when drawing 2-2 at home to Coleraine.

With the same number of games now played the Glens sit 5 points behind the Blues after a disastrous three weeks in terms of form with a win, loss and two draws in our last four games with 7 points dropped in three home games in that run.

The Glens started very strongly today and flew into a 10th minute lead with a top corner rocket from Pearse McVarnock but rather than push on from that the Glens seemed to slacken off and Coleraine started to cause problems with their route one football.

From one such long ball the Glens got caught in a flap and a low close to the edge of the box was met with a clattering challenge from Mal Smith and the ref pointed to the spot.

This, a matter of seconds after turning away a claim in the opposite box.

Coleraine scored from the spot to make it 1-1 and the Glens had Ryan Dalzel in goals to thank for keeping the scores level at half time with three top saves.

Glentoran again started brightly in the second period before letting a man run free inside the penalty box for a free header from four yards for 2-1.

The Glens pressed for an equaliser and came close through Magee, Cushnie, McVarnock and Wallace but Dalzel at the other end was still required on a couple of occasions to keep the Glens in the match.

Finally, with five minutes to play the Glens equalised through Sean Wallace when he lobbed the keeper from 30 yards for 2-2 to continue his recent goalscoring form.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzel 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Mal Smith 5. Liam Flack 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Ben Cushnie 8. Dan Smith 9. Pearse McVarnock 10. Sean Wallace 11. Seamus Duffy

Subs: 12. Bailey Locke (for Duffy 60) 13. Benji Magee (for Flack 65) 14. Bailie Hoy (for Quinn 70) 15. Sam Morrow (for Cushnie 75)

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Glenavon U20 1- 0 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Glentoran stumbled at home again last night in a game moved to the Oval due to work at Mourneview Park. Following on from dropping two points against Warrenpoint in our last home game the Glens went down 1-0 at home to Glenavon.

In truth it was nothing more than Glentoran deserved for possibly their worst performance of the season to date, without suspended top scorer Paul O'Neill..

Given the high standards these young players have set for themselves over the course of the season this was a disappointing display in which Glenavon took a deserved lead in the 8th minute of the game and Glentoran failed to respond as Glenavon, under the tutelage of Andy Mathieson and Jason Hill, pressed and looked hungrier on the night.

The second half saw a marginal improvement in the Wee Glens performance and they dominated territory in the second period after a double substitution at half time but still failed to make the possession count in terms of real sights at goal.

Jamie Glover had a low drive well saved before Steven Gordon headed wide with a free header when well placed and Mal Smith rattled the cross bar from 25 yards. This was the closest the Glens came to an equaliser while at the other end Glenavon remained threatening on the counter attack.

The Glens now have an uphill task in the title race, sitting 6 points behind Linfield, albeit with a game in hand but also face a tough test to hold on to second with Glenavon and Institute hot in pursuit - Glenavon 7 points behind with a game in hand themselves.

The Glens are at home again at the weekend, at home to Coleraine, in what will be another tough test and with the games coming thick and fast now injuries and suspensions are will provide opportunities for younger lads to step in and take their chance at u20 level.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. James McCarthy 5. Liam Flack 6. Jack Henderson 7. Pearse McVarnock 8. Steven Gordon 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Corai Quinn (for Tharma 45) 13. Sean Gallagher (for Henderson 45) 14. Dan Smith (for Flack 60) 15. Bailey Locke (for Gordon 80) 16. Seamus Duffy (for McVarnock 84)

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Newry City U20 1-3 Glentoran U20

Saturday 16 February 2019

   

Goalscorers Sean Wallace, Mal Smith and Peter McMahon

 

Glentoran for the second time this season completed back to back games in the space of four days against the two South Down sides as we travelled to Newry today looking to bounce back from a late equaliser at home to Warrenpoint on Wednesday night.

The players responded in a very determined and professional fashion as they dominated proceedings at the Newry Showgrounds.

Sean Wallace continued his rich vein of form as he fired the Glens in front before Mal Smith - fresh fropm his first team debut last week - scored a smashing free kick from 25 yards into the top corner for 2-0.

The game became a lot more complicated in a 5 minute spell before half time as Newry were awarded a disputed penalty that Stefan Lavery dispatched pasT Paul McLaughlin before Paul O'Neill was sent off after a tusle with a Newry player inside the penalty area when challenging for a corner. It looked as though O'Neill was trying to shake off the close attentions of a defender but the ref deemed it an elbow and brandished a red card.

This left the Glens down to ten men for the whole second half but in truth Newry rarely threatened and the Glens continued to control the game before a Sean Wallace cross was met by the head of Peter McMahon who guided the ball over the keeper and into the far corner of the goal to seal the three points.

Glens U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Gavin Peers 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Peter McMahon 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Corai Quinn (for Peers 45) 13. Liam Flack (for McGarvey 30) 14. Pearse McVarnock (for Cushnie 60) 15. Bailey Locke (for Wallace 80) 16. Ross Tharma (for McMahon 75)

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Glentoran U20s 3-3 Warrenpoint Town U20s

Wednesday 30 January 2019

Warrenpoint hit Glentoran with a stoppage time sucker punch to cost the home side two precious points at The Oval.

The Glens dominated the first half and had several good opportunities to score before Paul O'Neill pounced on a loose ball inside the 6 yard box on 35 minutes to fire the Glens one nil up. This after a Sean Gallagher 35 yard thunderbolt crashed off the angle of post and crossbar.

The Glens didn't come out of the blocks in the second half and Point drew level a mere 18 seconds into the second period.

The Glens rallied after a jittery 5 minutes and came back into the game and gained control of possession again before a neatly worked move between Cushnie and O'Neill resulted in Jamie Glover tapping in from a yard for 2-1.

Point came back again and a mistake down the Glens right seen their winger get in behind and centre for their striker to finish uncontested from 12 yards.

Again the Glens came back into the game and the impressive Sean Wallace poked the Glens into a 3-2 lead.

Just as it seemed like the points would be staying in East Belfast, Warrenpoint wrestled their share of the spoils in a stoppage time counter attack to leave the Glens reeling and rueing a series of missed chances with the stats reading Glentoran 23 shots to Warrenpoint's 4!

On a positive note for the Academy young Matthew Lusty at the age of just 15 made his u20 debut this evening and Seamus Duffy, also 15 made his third u20 appearance.

Glentoran U20; 1. Ryan Dalzel 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. James McCarthy 5. Liam Flack 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Please McVarnock 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ben Cushnie

Subs: 12. Paul McLaughlin (for Dalzel 20) 13. Corai Quinn (for McCarthy 65) 14. Bailey Locke (for Henderson 70) 15. Seamus Duffy (for O'Neill 78) 16. Matthew Lusty (for McVarnock 84)

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U20 Player of the Month for January.

 

Congratulations to Sean Gallagher on being named as U20 Player of the Month for January.

U20 Manager David Lowry: “Sean played a pivotal role in the crucial home win over Institute as he grabbed the equaliser in the game and was the driving force for the team on the day before putting in a barnstorming performance in the 2-1 home win over Linfield at the end of the month.

Sean has been a consistent performer all season and has been close to the award on a number of occasions.

Special mentions this month to Lewis McGarvey, Mal Smith and Sean Wallace who all ran Sean very close and can consider themselves unlucky to have been pipped at the post.

It was probably the hardest month so far to call with everyone responding well to the 1-0 defeat away at Dungannon at the start of the month to put in three top class performances against Institute, Ards and Linfield.

Hopefully that same level of performance is maintained through what is shaping up to be a busy February and the competition hots up even more!”

Sean was also given a first team squad number this month and was on the bench for our away Danske Bank Premiership match at Newry Showgrounds”.

Congratulations Sean

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Ards U20s 0-7 Glentoran U20s 2-1 Linfield U20s

Wednesday 30 January 2019

Glentoran closed the gap on Linfield at the top of the U20 Development League tonight with a hard fought 2-1 victory over our fierce rivals at a near freezing Oval.

The Blues Stormed into an early lead after just 45 seconds as the Glens were caught cold with a back post header for 1-0.

Glentoran quickly gathered their composure however and took control of the game in the middle of the park but had to wait until mid-way through the half for the equaliser when O'Neill glanced a superb header passed the outstretched goalkeeper from an inch perfect McVarnock cross.

McVarnock went from provider to scorer soon after when he attacked a teasing Mal Smith cross. The cross came back off the post and McVarnock was on hand to tap home.

Linfield then were awarded a penalty when McLaughlin pulled down their striker but Paul managed to get finger tips on the result penalty to send it wide of the post.

Paul made one other superb save in the first half from a point blank volley before O'Neill headed over when well placed to score.

In the second half Mal Smith came closest to adding to the Glens advantage when his header was stopped on the line, Ross Tharma tested the keeper at his near post and McVarnock came close with two great long range efforts before Smith again forced a great save from the keeper.

At the other end McLaughlin made two more big saves in the second half first with his feet when the Linfield number 9 was through on goal and the second a reaction save on the goal line following a scramble.

Quinn almost put the game to bed in the dying minutes but his stinging shot was well saved again by Linfield's keeper but McVarnocks first half poachers goal proved to be enough to separate the sides and move the Glens to 7 points behind Linfield with 3 games in hand on the league leaders making for a very exciting end to the season for both teams

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. James McCarthy 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Dan Smith 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Sean Wallace 11. Pearse McVarnock

Subs: 12. Ben Cushnie (for O'Neill 45) 13. Ross Tharma (for D. Smith 45) 14. Corai Quinn (for Sean Wallace (84)

Not used: Ryan Dalzel, Liam Flack

 

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Ards U20s 0-7 Glentoran U20s

Saturday 26 January 2019

Goalscorers Sean Wallace, Ben Cushnie, Mal Smith, James McCarthy and Corai Quinn

Glentoran ran amok in Newtownards this afternoon scoring 7 goals and putting in an impressive performance.

Sean Wallace stole the show with 3 goals and a sparkling man of the match performance.

It was Wallace who opened the scoring inside the first 5 minutes and it set the tone for the game.

Ben Cushnie added a second before Wallace doubled his tally to make it 3.

Mal Smith got himself back on the score sheet after a bit of a drought in front of goal with a cool header to make it 4-0 at half time.

James McCarthy added a fifth in the second half with a neat right foot volleyed finish from a corner before Wallace completed his hat-trick.

To round off a satisfying day Corai Quinn grabbed his first u20 goal with a powerful header to make it 7.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzel 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. James McCarthy 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Dan Smith 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Corai Quinn (for M. Smith 60) 13. Liam Flack (for D. Smith 45) 14. Sean Gallagher (for Best 70)

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Glentoran 3-1 Institute

Saturday 12 January 2019

Glentoran 20s got back to winning ways today after the recent slip away to Dungannon but did it the hard way as they spurned a hat full of great chances in the first half.

The Glens actually went in at the break 1-0 down as Institute scored with their only attempt on target in the half.

Prior to that the Glens had hit the cross bar through Nathan Best who smashed a shot against the underside of the bar from 10 yards and struck the post twice through a long range effort from Wallace and a follow up effort from Ross Tharma.

In addition to that the Glens spurned four good one on one chances through Tharma, twice and Cushnie twice.

A half time analysis was difficult as the team had played very well but we're a goal behind and been very wasteful.

The second half was much improved in the final third as the front three stepped up a gear and Ross Tharma muscled his way in behind the Stute defence only to see his shot come back off the post.

This time Sean Gallagher was on hand to send the rebound goalwards but the Institute defender managed to claw it off the line before Gallagher finally did bury it at the third attempt.

Soon after the Glens were in front when the tireless Cushnie played a perfect pass to Tharma who made no mistake to finish low into the bottom corner.

Lewis McGarvey added a third from the penalty spot after Cushnie had been felled when through on goal to seal an important three points for the home side.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzel 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Mal Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Dan Smith 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Paul McLaughlin (for Dalzel 60) 13. Benji Magee (for Best 72) 14. Sam Morrow (for Cushnie 80) 15. Charlie Lindsay (for D. Smith 82)

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Dungannon U20 1-0 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 2 January 2019

Glentoran started the new year with a defeat against a Dungannon side who they put 8 past less than a month earlier.

Two much changed sides took the field this time and Dungannon started brightly taking an early lead after a defensive mix up.

Dungannon steered a shot wide soon after but rarely threatened the rest of the half as the Glens sought an equaliser.

Glentoran applied pressure throughout the game but lacking an out and out striker they failed to make the break through needed with Prentice and Smith missing good chances when well placed and McCarthy striking the post with a back post header the closest the Glens would come to salvaging a point.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Mal Smith 6. James McCarthy 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Nigel Prentice

Subs: 12. Dan Smith (for Quinn 50) 13. Ross Tharma (for Glover 55) 14. Seamus Duffy (for Prentice 60) 15. Bailey Locke (for Wallace 75) 16. Charlie Lindsay (for Best 77)

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Glentoran Under20 Player of the Month for December

Congratulations to Jack Henderson who has been named as our u20 Player of the Month for December.

Jack started the month with an impressive display against Crusaders at Seaview where he crowned the performance with a goal in a 6-3 win before back to back man of the match displays against Institute and Warrenpoint.

Jack then added a second goal in December with a cracking 20 yard strike in the 2-2 draw with Newry.

Jack didn't play in the Boxing Day win over Linfield due to being called into the first team panel the same day - the ultimate reward for any U20 player and we dont doubt Jack will appear in the first team many times in the years to come.

18 year old Jack joined the club from Linfield when he was 13 and has been capped for Northern Ireland at every level up to U18

Well done Jack and here is a to a very strong second half of the season

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Glentoran U20 3-2 Linfield U20

Wednesday 26 December 2018

Glentoran and Linfield's u20 sides served up a festive treat at The Oval on Boxing Day as the Glens ran out 3-2 winners to move to within three points of the Blues at the top of the table and still with a game in hand.

Linfield flew into a 1-0 lead inside five minutes when a low driven free kick was turned into the net inside the 6 yard box.

The Glens were on the ropes for the first ten minutes and Linfield could have doubled their lead with a free header turned over the bar.

Glentoran however dragged themselves back into the game when Cushnie pounced on a defensive mistake to level.

Sean Wallace then fired the Glens in front with a half volleyed finish from 12 yards.

Linfield struck again from a corner to level at 2-2 before half time.

The Glens started the second half brightly and put pressure on Linfield's rear guard without really forcing a save from their keeper.

Linfield grew into the second half and started to dominate possession so when Ross Tharma beat the offside trap and raced clear to see his cross-cum-shot deflected into the Linfield net off the leg of a Linfield player, it was somewhat against the run of play.

The remainder of the game slipped into a pattern of Linfield pressing for an equaliser and the Glens trying to protect their advantage.

Ryan Dalzell between the Glentoran posts was chiefly responsible for the Glens holding out for the 3-2 win as he pulled off four top drawer saves late in the second half to keep Linfield at bay.

Credit to Linfield for their part in a very entertaining game between two young sides.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Wallace 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Bailey Locke 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Naseem Ouldhamlat (for Locke 65) 13. Charlie Lindsay (for Best 75) 14. Benji Magee (for Cushnie 84) 15. Bailie Hoy - not used

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Glentoran U20 2-2 Newry City U20

Sunday 23 December 2018

Glentoran dominated this pre-Christmas encounter from start to finish but somehow managed to squander a two goal lead to drop two points.

A frustrating afternoon all around as league leaders Linfield also dropped points ahead of the two sides Boxing Day clash at The Oval.

The first half was one way traffic with the Glens on total control and it was no surprise when Nathan Best put the home side in front.

Best neatly controlled a McCarthy cross field pass and cut inside to fire home passed the keeper.

Jack Henderson doubled the lead with a great driving run and shot into the far corner and it looked as though the Glens were on easy street.

The Glens though slipped into a trap of letting the tempo drop and coasted through to half time.at half time the players were well warned that a third goal would be needed to put the game to bed and they set about finding it and created several guilt edged chances.

First Tharma hit the keeper when one on one, then Prentice did likewise before Wallace also failed to finish after a good mazy run.

The Glens were to pay the price for failing to take their chances as Newry scored on a breakaway after some sloppy defending and with 8 minutes to go they grabbed an equaliser when their striker had all the time in the world inside the Glentoran penalty area to finish.

Ross Tharma had another great chance to win the game in stoppage time as he again fired straight at the keeper and it could have got even worse for the Glens as ex Glentoran player Conall Delaney fired wide when in front of an open goal right at the end of stoppage time.

So Glentoran's recent poor run of form continued with more dropped points and no win in their last three games as they head into Wednesday's game but if ever there was a match where the form book goes out the window it's Linfield at home on Boxing Day!

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. James McCarthy 4. Dan Smith 5. Mal Smith 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Wallace 9. Ross Tharma 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Jamie Glover

Subs: 12. Charlie Lindsay (for McCarthy 55) 13. Eoin Lundy (for Henderson 65) 14. Ben Cushnie (for Prentice 75)

Not used - Sean Gallagher

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Warrenpoint Town U20 2-2 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 19th December 2018

Glentoran were held to a draw by bottom of the table Warrenpoint at Milltown on Wednesday night but ultimately can look upon it as a positive point in the league race as Point had made 6 changes from the reverse fixture at The Oval and were a much improved outfit while the Glens were missing several key and regular players from the line up and went with a very young side so it was a great experience for them in their development.

The first half was fairly non eventful until the 40th minute when Point broke the deadlock, latching on to a defensive mishap by the Glens. On the stroke of half time the Glens spurned a good chance to equalise through Prentice and so went in at the break 1-0 down.

Glentoran equalised ten minutes into the second half through Tharma after McGarvey flicked on a Glover cross for 1-1.

Prentice then did convert a chance as he pushed the Glens in front but moments later Point were gifted the chance to equalise from the spot which they duly took, 2-2.

The Glens were on top at this stage and were able to introduce 14 year old Charlie Lindsay for his third appearance at this level and 15 year old Bailey Locke for his fourth appearance and both lads acquitted themselves well in the push for a winner. Prentice had a couple of great opportunities to win the game but it wasn't to be on the night and the Glens will come away a little disappointed but with plenty of positives to take from the trip.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Mal Smith 6. Dan Smith 7. Ross Tharma 8. Sean Wallace 9. Nigel Prentice 10. Jack Henderson 11. Nathan Best

Subs: 12. Naseem Ouldhamlat (for Best 75) 13. Charlie Lindsay (for Wallace 75) 14. Bailey Locke (for Tharma 80) 15. Eoin Lundy (for McGarvey 80)

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Ryan Dalzell is Under 20s top player for November

 

Congratulations to 15 year old goalkeeper Ryan Dalzell who has been named as our U20 Player of the Month for November. Ryan is pictured here receiving a prize from U20 Keeper coach Lewis Massey. Ryan kept two clean sheets in three appearances in November and made a string of great saves. At 15 this is a great achievement for Ryan and a well deserved accolade

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Glentoran U20 1-3 Institute U20

Saturday 8th December 2018

 

Ben Cushnie

Glentoran 20s blew the chance to go top of the league this evening going down 3-1 at home to Institute in what was their game in hand over Linfield.

The Glens remain a point behind the Blues having turned in a sub-standard performance in torrential rain at the Oval.

Stute took the lead after 20 minutes on the break away after what was a composed start from Glentoran but that signalled a 15 minute spell where the Glens couldn't find a pass in the final third.

The Glens equalised against the run of play through Ben Cushnie who tapped in from a Prentice cross but Institute scored a second directly from kick off at the Glens went to sleep.

Stute added a third 5 minutes in to the second half and the Glens huffed and puffed throughout the second half without really forcing a clear cut chance to cut the deficit.

A disappointing day and result to halt a winning run of 6 straight games in the league.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Eoin Lundy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Nigel Prentice

Subs: 12. Daryl McKenna (for Lundy 55) 13. Benji Magee (for Cushnie 65) 14. Naseem Ouldhamlat (for Prentice 65) 15. Charlie Lindsay (for McGarvey 75)

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Crusaders U20 3 - 6 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 5 December 2018

   

Glentoran came out on top in this 9 goal thriller at Seaview in the U20 Premiership Development League to extend their winning run to 6 straight games in the league.

The Glens flew out of the blocks with James McCarthy rampaging down the left at will from left back and on ten minutes he played in Peter McMahon whose cross was helped in by Paul O'Neill.

Five minutes later O'Neill made it 2 with his second of the night as he latched on to a deflected McMahon shot to finish into the roof of the net.

O'Neill then headed against the cross bar from a superb McCarthy cross as the Glens had the Crues on the rack early on.

On 25 minutes it was 3-0 after a flowing passing move O'Neill beat the offside trap and controlled a chipper pass with a wonderful first touch before firing into the bottom corner to complete his third hat trick in as many weeks. Paul has been on fire of late with that his 11th goal in his last four games at this level - 21 in 13 games so far this season.

David Cushley converted from the spot to make it 3-1 and the Crues grew into the game enjoying period is sustained possession. They threatened the Glentoran goal on a few occasions with Ryan Dalzell at his brilliant best to deny a long range effort from Cushley.

On the break away Nigel Prentice could and should have made it four when he fired over the top with just the keeper to beat but he later made ammends when he curled a lovely finish round the keeper for 4-1.

Jack Henderson added a fifth moments before half time as the Glens looked to be in total control.

Glentoran took off O'Neill at the interval in a planned substitution but were also forced to change the impressive Corai Quinn due to an injury and it took the Glens a while to get to grips with the game again

Crusaders dominated the early exchanges of the half and scored a second on 55 minutes before adding a third on 60 minutes as the Glens looked a bit shaky.

A change in formation helped Glentoran re-establish themselves in the game and Crusaders were limited to long range efforts though Cushley rattled the bar with a long range free kick and Dalzell pulled off another top class save for a dipping Cushley volley but Sean Wallace pounced right at the death to finish at the back post after great work by Cushnie, Prentice and finally Henderson to set Wallace in on goal for 6-3

Sean Gallagher
 

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. James McCarthy 4. Dan Smith 5. Mal Smith 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Peter McMahon

Subs:  12. Ben Cushnie (for O'Neill 45) 13. Lewis McGarvey (for Quinn 45) 14. Ross Tharma (for McMahon 60) 15. Jamie Glover (for Best 65) 16. Sean Wallace (for McCarthy 70)

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Dungannon Swifts 0 - 8 Glentoran U20 4-3

Tuesday 27 November 2018

     

Glentoran ran out comfortable 8-0 winners in Tuesday nights u20 encounter at Dungannon.

The goals flowed in a superb first half with the Glens leading 6-0 at the break.

Stevie Gordon opened the scoring from a McMahon corner before Paul O'Neill doubled the Glens advantage.

Nigel Prentice added a third before Gordon grabbed his second of the night to make it 4 with a delicate chip over the keeper

Paul O'Neill scored his second with a 40 yard lob over the keeper before completing his hat-trick with a neat finish from an inviting James McCarthy cross.

John McGuigan in his first game back from a long suspensiom, got in on the act in the second period as his arrowed shot made it 7.

Paul O'Neill rounded off the scoring with his 4th and Glentoran's 8th five minutes from time.

Glentoran U20: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Corai Quinn 3. James McCarthy 4. Dan Smith 5. Mal Smith (c) 6. John McGuigan 7. Peter McMahon 8. Steven Gordon 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Dylan Davidson

Subs: 12. Sean Wallace (for McCarthy 50) 13. Sean Gallagher (for D. Smith 55) 14. Bailey Locke (for Prentice 60) 15. Ben Cushnie (for McMahon 70) 16. Naseem Ouldhamlat (for Davidson 70)

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 Glentoran U20 4-3 Coleraine U20

Wednesday 21 November 2018

 

Sean Gallagher and Jack Henderson

The second strings from Glentoran and Coleraine served up a 7 goal thriller this evening at The Oval as the Glens ran out 4-3 winners in an end to end game that could in all honesty have gone either way.

The Glens hit the front on 15 minutes through Sean Gallagher after a clever pass from Gordon. The goal came against the run of play as Coleraine had started brightly but it didn't take long for Coleraine to level as withing 5 minutes they had equalised.

Steven Gordon slammed home after great work down the right from Nathan Best but again the Glens couldn't hold the lead and conceded within a minute of the restart for 2-2.

Coleraine then took the lead for the first time in the game after a very harsh penalty decision allowed Coleraine to convert from the spot.

Just before half time Jack Henderson opened his account for the season with a neat near post finish.

After a whirlwind first half that seen 6 goals and a host of other chances it seemed as though the second half would carry on in the same vein as the Glens were awarded a penalty this time for a hand ball on the line. Paul O'Neill converted for 4-3.

This time however the Glens has learned their lesson and managed the game a lot better, restricting Coleraine to half chances and efforts from distance while Prentice, Best and Tharma all went close at the other end.

The game however fizzled out after a hundred miles an hour start the game fell a little flat in the second half and Glentoran managed to see the game out for a 4-3 win.

Big positives for Glentoran tonight in the shape of more game time for 2003 born players Ryan Dalzell and Bailey Locke who at 15 both acquitted themselves very well

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. James McCarthy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Steven Gordon 11. Nigel Prentice

Subs: 12. Sean Wallace (for Henderson 70) 13. Ben Cushnie (for O'Neill 70) 14. Bailey Locke (for Prentice 75) 15. Ross Tharma (for Gallagher 65)

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 Glentoran U20s 3-3 Dollingstown

(Dollingstown win 6-5 on penalties)

Saturday 17 November 2018

Glentoran travelled to Dollingstown in the second round of the Intermediate Cup missing several key players who had been called into the first team panel for the trip to Coleraine. Paul O'Neill, James McCathy, Nigel Prentice amd Mal Smith - four very influential players - were with the seniors. However the young charges called in to the fray put in a very commendable display and were unlucky to lose in a penalty shootout.

The Glens came flying out of the traps and moved the ball around superbly in the opening 15 minutes and deservedly took the lead through a Lewis McGarvey penalty. We then survived a couple of scares with Paul McLaughlin making a superb point blank stop before Nathan Best capitalised on a short back pass to make it 2.

Unfortunately the Glens only held the 2 goal advantage for 60 seconds as Dollingstown struck back straight away but 5 minutes from half time Ross Tharma drifted in from the left and fired a superb low shot into the net for 3-1. Half time 3-1 Glens

Dollingstown had the breeze at their backs in the second half and started well, scoring within ten minutes of the re-start. The Glens struggled to get to grips with the conditions and had Paul McLaughlin in goal to thank for keeping the lead as he made a couple of fine saves.

Dollingstown also struck the post twice in the second half before grabbing a deserved equaliser 5 minutes from time. End of normal time 3-1 Glens

Glentoran went back in front in extra time when Ben Cushnie scored a goal of the season contender, he picked the ball up from 35 yards out, turned and hammered the ball into the top corner.

The Glens then had another two great chances to put the game to bed in extra time as Hoy and Morrow went close before Dollingstown grabbed another late equaliser with 90 seconds left on the clock of extra time. So the game went all the way to penalties.

Paul McLaughlin made two superb saves and scored a penalty himself but it wasn't to be at the Glens missed three to lose 6-5 after a marathon shootout.

The young lads can hold their heads high after a superb effort against much older opposition.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Corai Quinn 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Eoin Lundy 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Ben Cushnie 10. Sean Wallace 11. Ross Tharma

Subs: 12. Bailey Locke (for Quinn 44) 13. Bailie Hoy (for Wallace 70) 14. Sam Morrow (for Tharma 75)

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Ballymena United U20 0 - 6 Glentoran U20

Tuesday 14 October 2018

  


Glentoran U20s travelled to Ballymena this evening and recorded a handsome 6-0 victory over Ballymena United in the u20 Premiership Development League.

The Wee Glens started the game very brightly and could have gone in front after just two minutes when Steven Gordon stole possession 20 yards from goal but his shot was well saved and Nigel Prentice’s rebound was kicked off the line.

Glentoran continued to apply pressure as Mal Smith headed narrowly wide from an inviting McCarthy cross.

The Glens broke the deadlock on 15 when Smith flicked the ball over an opponent's head on the half way line and drove past two others before finding Gordon who slotted the ball through to Paul O'Neill to finish. Jamie Glover then struck the post with a great effort from wide on the left - he was so unlucky not to double the Glens’ advantage

Ballymena came into the game as the Glens took their feet off the throttle and chances were at a premium for the remainder of the half with Gordon and Best going close from distance and a good penalty claim being waved away as the only real points of note.

The second half saw Jack Henderson come into his own in the middle of the park as he really ran the midfield in a man of the match performance that set the tone for a clinical second period.

Gordon bustled his way through to add the second before he scored the third a few minutes later to end the game as a contest.

Paul O'Neill then took centre stage as he slammed home a right footed half volley into the top corner for 4-0.

O'Neill picked the goalkeeper’s pocket to score the Glens’ fifth and complete his hat-trick but there was still time for Gordon to match the feat as he grabbed his third and Glentoran's sixth from the penalty spot.

Prentice, Tharma and McKenna came close to adding to the tally but it remained at 6-0 to seal an accomplished and professional result.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. James McCarthy 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Steven Gordon 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Jamie Glover

Subs: 12. Sean Wallace (for Glover 55) 13. Ross Tharma (for Best 65) 14. Ben Cushnie (for O'Neill 70) 15. Sean Gallagher (for D. Smith 70) 16. Darryl McKenna (for M. Smith 75)

 

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Mal is U20s top player for October

 

Mal Smith was this week named Glentoran Under 20s Player of the Month for October.

Mal (17) - a right back - has scored an incredible eight goals from that position in twelve appearances so far this season and has neen in outstanding form so far,

Mal is a textbook example of the good work the Glentoran Academy does with promising young players. He joined the Academy as a 10-year old and has worked his way through the Academy ranks so successfully that he has been training with the first team since the start of October and in the past few weeks he has been in Ronnie McFall's first team squad. He actually made the bench for the first time in last night's match with Crusaders.

Well done Mal. Clearly a player with a very exciting future at Glentoran.

 

 

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Sirocco Works 3-1 Glentoran Seconds

Saturday 27th October 2018

Goalscorer Ben Cushnie

 

Glentoran II exited the Steel and sons cup on Saturday with a below par performance at Sirocco.

Sirocco, well schooled in the dark arts and much more experienced than the young Glens were well worth their victory on the day and played some good football to accompany the more robust side of the game that Glentoran failed to deal with on the day.

Sirocco took the lead inside 7 minutes when a long throw in was fired right on top of McLaughlin. Paul punched clear but the loose ball was fired into the roof of the net from 18 yards.

The long throw was a main feature of the game and every time Sirocco for a throw in the final third it was landed right into box and the Glens back line dealt with the threat for the rest of the first half but the they couldnt find any rythmn of their own in the game and created precious little in front of goal.

Glentoran started the second half a bit better and forced an equaliser mid way through the half through Ben Cushnie - Ben making his first start in 6 weeks due to injury headed home a Jamie Glover cross for 1-1.

Sirocco ramped up the physicality again and Glentoran fell back onto the back foot and another series of long throws created Sirocco's second in a carbon copy of the first.

Five minutes later the game was put to bed. This time a corner and the second ball was fired through a sea of legs and deflected into the path of a Sirocco player who made no mistake from 5 yards.

The Glens huffed and puffed for the remaining ten minutes but bar a free kick from Smith that was tipped over didn't really threaten the Sirocco goal.

This will go down as a valuable lesson for the players along with the game against Dunmurry Young Men last week where the style of game is different from the u20 league and the players will learn how to play football in these types of matches but for this season, when all bar one of the starting 11 should have been playing in the Harry Cavan Cup game, this was a bridge too far.

The same group of players will hopefully be around for another crack at the competition for another season or two yet!

Congratulations to Sirocco who were fully deserving of the win on the day.

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Glenavon U20s 2-3 Glentoran 20s

Monday 22nd October 2018

   

 

Nathan Best, Nigel Prentice and Paul McLaughlin

Glentoran went level on points with Linfield at the top of the NIFL U20 Premiership Development League with a superb 3-2 win over a very strong Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

Glenavon lined up with Saturday's match winner Jordan Jenkins, Niall Grace, Aaron Harmon, Andrew Doyle and former Northern Ireland International Sammy Clingan among other first team squad members and the wee Glens knew they would have to raise their game.

The Glens on the other hand had several key men missing and had four call ups from the under 16 and 18s to the squad thus making the win all the more impressive.

Glenavon started strongly as expected and forced a couple of fine saves out of Paul McLaughlin - one double save in quick succession was particularly superb.

The Glens soaked up the pressure well and as Glenavon's tempo dropped the Glens got a foothold in the game with Henderson and Gallagher stepping up to the challenge of Grace and Clingan.

The Glens broke the dead lock mid way through the half on the counter attack when an inch perfect pass from Gallagher found Tipping who raced clear and squared for Prentice to finish unmarked at the back post.

Ten minutes later Glenavon equalised when Jenkins long range shot was deflected into the path of Glenavon's number 10 who fired home.

The Glens lost Henderson 20 minutes in to a slight injury and Corai Quinn entered the fray and stood up brilliantly to the task at right back as Dan Smith moved into the midfield and Mal Smith moved to centre back - an unfamiliar position for Mal but he was faultless throughout.

Glentoran looked dangerous on the break and knew this would be a threat throughout the second half an so it proved as Gallagher found Nathan Best who drove and the full back and cut inside to fire a fantastic shot into the top corner from 18 yards - a brilliant goal from the wide man.

Nigel Prentice was sent clear soon after but Glenavon's keeper made a good stop to deny a Glentoran third before Best did add a third with a powerful run from the right as he sliced through Glenavon's defence and hammered low into the corner.

Glenavon pulled a goal back 8 minutes from the end and the Glens had to survive a late scare as McLaughlin made another couple of fine saves in a man of the match performance from the big Keeper. Niall Grace seen a stoppage time header come off the top of the bar but the Glens did enough to hold out for a superb win.

Glentoran U20s: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. Eoin Lundy 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Josh Tipping 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Ross Tharma SUBS:  12. Naseem Ouldhamlat (for Tipping 60) 13. Corai Quinn (for Henderson 20) 14. Darryl McKenna (for Prentice 65) 15. Bailie Hoy (for Tharma 80)

 

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Dunmurry Young Men 3-3 Glentoran 20s

(Glentoran win 4-2 on penalties)

Saturday 20th October 2018

   

Paul McLaughlin, Ross Tharma and Mal Smith

Glentoran travelled across Belfast to face Northern Amateur Football League side Dunmurry Young Men in the first round of the IFA Intermediate Cup and managed to prevail in an extremely exciting encounter!

The Glens survived a couple of early scares before taking the lead through a super finish from Tharma who cut in from the left and fired across the keeper for 1-0.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0, Tharma again the scorer as he steered in a Nathan Best cross.

Right on the stroke of half time Dunmurry deservedly got back into the game with a great finish from 18 yards.

The Glens controlled most of the second half but Dunmurry levelled the game on the break and could have gone in front when a dubious penalty was awarded but Paul McLaughlin made a super save from the spot kick.

Mal Smith then grabbed his tenth of the season from a corner and Naz Ouldhamlat almost sealed the win when his shot rattled off the under side of the bar but there was to be drama right at the death when Dunmurry headed an equaliser 30 seconds from the end of injury time to take the game into extra time.

Both sides huffed and puffed in extra time with Sam Morrow almost winning it right at the end but his shot went narrowly wide and the game went to penalties.

Paul McLaughlin was the hero as he saved the first and fourth of Dunmurry's penalties to send the Glens into the second round.

The Glens spot kicks were converted by Lewis McGarvey, Mal Smith, Jack Henderson and Jamie Glover

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Dan Smith 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Darryl McKenna 10. Nigel Prentice 11. Ross Tharma Subs: 12. Naz Ouldhamlat (for McKenna 60) 13. Sam Morrow (for Prentice 80) 14. Eoin Lundy (for D. Smith 70)

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Glentoran U20 2-1 Crusaders U20

Wednesday 17 October 2018

 

Scorers Ross Tharma and Paul O'Neill

Glentoran started slowly in this evening's clash with Crusaders at The Oval and went behind early on to a Ross Holden strike from 20 yards.

The Glens grew into the game and slowly took control of proceedings and forced a couple of good chances through Nigel Prentice.

Nigel's first attempt was screwed wide of the far post and his second was straight down the middle and we'll blocked by the keeper.

They were the only two clear cut chances in the first half and an uneventful half ended with the Glens trailing 1-0.

The second half saw the Glens start more brightly and Glover could have equalised a few minutes in but his shot was wide of the far post.

Soon after Mal Smith failed to turn home a glorious cross from close range when it bounced awkwardly and Paul O'Neill had a goal chalked off for offside.

On the hour mark Glentoran changed to three at the back and introduced Ross Tharma onto the right wing back role - Ross' first contribution was to equalise!

Paul O'Neill fired a shot towards goal that was partially blocked by the keeper and Ross was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Sean Wallace came into the fray on 70 minutes and also made a big impact with a classy performance, Wallace latched on to a superb pass from Lewis McGarvey and pulled the ball back across the face of goal for O'Neill to tap home at the back post for 2-1.

The Glens sat deeper and invited some Crusaders pressure which resulted in Gary Thompson rattling the Glentoran cross bar but the Glens held on for a 2-1 victory to bounce back from last week's disappointment at Midgely Park

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. James McCarthy 5. Lewis McGarvey 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nigel Prentice 8. Christopher Gallagher 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Sam Byrne 11. Dylan Davidson Subs: 12. Ross Tharma (for Prentice 60) 13. Sean Wallace (for Henderson 70) 14. Eoin Lundy (for McGarvey 75) 15. Darryl McKenna (for Davidson 75)

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Linfield U20 3-2 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 10th October 2018

Glentoran blew a 2 goal lead at Midgely Park on Wednesday night to lose 3-2 as Linfield scored twice in the last four minutes to snatch the victory.

The Glens came out of the blocks flying and soared into a two goal lead inside 20 minutes with goals from O'Neill and Davidson putting the Glens in a commanding position.

The first, from O'Neill, was a goal of the season contender as Henderson switched the play with a superb diagonal pass to Davidson who powered passed the full back and centred to O'Neill who still had a lot to do.

O'Neill took the ball on his chest with his back to goal and from 18 yards produced a superb overhead kick into the top corner of the the Linfield goal.

The second came from the other flank as Prentice jinked passed the left back and found Davidson who worked the ball into his left side and fired across the keeper into the far corner of the goal.

Unfortunately for the Glens, Linfield pulled on back within five minutes as they struck the post from a direct free kick and the follow up was tapped into an empty goal.

Half time Linfield 1-2 Glentoran

Glentoran played a dangerous game in the second half as they surrendered the initiative to Linfield and sat deeper.

Despite this the Glens were very comfortable with Linfield being restricted to long range efforts. On the counter attack Henderson rattled the cross bar and Prentice fired over the bar when well placed to make it 3-1.

Five minutes from the end Tharma wriggled free in the right and centred for O'Neill who looked destined to seal the three points but he was pulled back and couldn't reach the cross and much to the surprise of everyone in Green the ref waved play on!

Two minutes later Linfield had equalised when a momentary lapse in the centre allowed the Blues striker to hammer home passed 15 year old Dalzell in the Glentoran goals.

Linfield now had the momentum and their tails were up and as a result a winner duly arrived when hesitation between centre back and goalkeeper allowed Linfield to nip in and force a third goal.

A hard one for the Glens to take in a game where their opponents had four shots on target in the game and scored three goals but a harsh lesson in how to seize the initiative in matches.

Glentoran U20: Ryan Dalzell, Mal Smith, Jamie Glover, James Ferrin, James McCarthy, Sean Gallagher, Nigel Prentice, Christopher Gallagher, Paul O'Neill, Jack Henderson. Dylan Davidson subs: Lewis McGarvey (for Prentice 80), Ben Cushnie (for S. Gallagher 70), Ross Tharma (for Davidson 60), Sean Wallace (for Henderson 88)

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Glentoran Seconds 2-0 Ards Rangers

Saturday  6th October 2018

 

Josh Tipping and Mal Smith

Glentoran II today progressed to the next round of the Steel & Sons Cup with a 2-0 win over Ards Rangers at the Oval. The Glens took the lead with a first half opener from Josh Tipping. Mal Smith made it safe with a second after the break.

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Institute U20 1-2 Glentoran U20

Saturday  22nd September 2018

 

Goalscorers Darryl McKenna and Ross Tharma

 

Glentoran travelled to the Brandywell today and faced an Institute side with a 100% record from their first four games.

Glentoran fielded 7 changed players from last Saturday's Steel and Sons Cup win over Queen's with Kerr, Davidson, Ferrin, O'Neill, Nelson, Crowe and McCarthy returning to first team duty but welcomed new signing Cricky Gallagher into the starting line up and promoted a U16 and 3 U18 players to the squad.

The game turned out to be an excellent game of football on Derry City's new 3g surface in the Londonderry sunshine and in truth it could have gone either way.

The Glens took the lead on ten minutes through a goal that will be claimed by Darryl McKenna. Gallagher spread the ball wide to McKenna who cut inside from the right and chipped a cross towards the back post, the cross-come-shot was bound for the far corner but the last touch came off the Institute right back as he tried to keep it out.

This was moments after Tipping seen a good effort well saved.

Stute pushed forward for the equaliser and had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a push on the impressive Dan Smith.

Stute eventually did level mid way through the half when ex Glens player Eamon McLaughlin cut inside and shot low into the bottom corner.

Glentoran went back in front when Best raced in behind the Stute back line but his lovely chipped effort cam back off the bar and Tharma was on hand to steer home the Glens second.

The second half seen chances at a premium as Stute had the lion's share of possession looking for an equaliser but the Glens were solid and well organised and restricted Stute to long range efforts and in truth Dalzell was never really troubled between the Glentoran sticks.

Benji Magee should have sealed it late on as he raced through from the half way line on a counter attack but his shot was well saved by the Stute keeper but the Glens held on to secure a well deserved victory and move three points ahead of Institute in the table.

Glentoran U20: Ryan Dalzell, Mal Smith, Jamie Glover (Corai Quinn 75), Dan Smith, Lewis McGarvey, Cricky Gallagher, Nathan Best, Sean Gallagher (Eoin Brown 65), Josh Tipping, Darryl McKenna (Sean Wallace 60), Ross Tharma (Benji Magee 75)

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Queen's University 0-3 Glentoran II

Steel & Sons Cup, Third Round

Saturday 15th September 2018

 

Goalscorers Dean Truesdale (2) and Mal Smith

Glentoran travelled across Belfast this afternoon for the first in a Glentoran and Queen's University double header this week as the 20s faced the Students in the 3rd round of the Steel and Sons Cup before the first team take on the same opposition in the First Round of the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday night.

Queen's, runners up in the Premier Intermediate League last season and holders of the Intermediate Cup were one of the pre-tournament favourites for the competition and so Glentoran knew it would be a tough afternoon.

The wee Glens were undoubtedly helped by the appearances of Dwayne Nelson, James Ferrin, Nathan Kerr, Dylan Davidson and Joe Crowe but the young players in the u20 panel more than played their part in what was an excellent 3-0 victory.

The Glens were a little shaky to start off and Queen's forced three good chances in the first 15 minutes and but for some erratic finishing could have taken the lead.

The Glens made a slight formation adjustment to quell the threat of Queens number 10 and from then on controlled the remainder of the first half.

This was confirmed when James Ferrin played a forward pass to Davidson who in turn found O'Neill, O'Neills pass to A marauding Nathan Kerr was inch perfect, as was Kerr's cross to find Dean Truesdale who slid the ball home inside the 6 yard box to finish a great flowing move for 1-0.

5 minutes later it was 2-0 when Captain Mal Smith again worked his magic from a corner as he found the space to head home his 4th goal in 3 games and his 5th of the season so far - not bad for a right back!

Glentoran expected Queen's to come out all guns blazing in the second half but they were instead a little subdued as the Glens fashioned two early chances to see the game off but Davidson and then Smith were denied by the Queen's keeper.

Queen's grew into the half and commited bodies forward to try and get back into the game but Glentoran's back line was well organised and stood firm to restrict Queen's to half chances.

Dean Truesdale ended the game as a contest with 20 minutes to go when he scored the goal of the game meeting a Mal Smith cross with a superb curling left foot volley that flew in off the far post for 3-0.

Queen's came closest to getting back into the game when their right winger found himself one on one with Nelson but his fierce shot smashed off the post to preserve Glentoran's clean sheet.

Glentoran II: Dwayne Nelson, Mal Smith, Jamie Glover, James Ferrin, James McCarthy (Lewis McGarvey 70), Joe Crowe, Nathan Kerr, Sean Gallagher, Dylan Davidson (Eoin Brown 65), Dean Truesdale, Paul O'Neill (Ross Tharma 75)

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Newry City U20  2-3 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 12 September 2018

 

Goalscorers Mal Smith and Ben Cushnie

Glentoran travelled to the border town of Newry this evening in anticipation of one of the most difficult trips of the season. The Glens were knocked out of the George Wilson Cup at the Showgrounds at the tail end of last season with a 3-2 defeat and Newry have had a strong start to this season.

Newry were strengthened by the appearance of a number of first team players but Glentoran's young charges have become accustomed to that over the past 12 months and set about winning the game.

The opening twenty minutes were arguably the best of the season to date for the Glens with a composer and comfortable display of passing football and Newry were content to sit and hit on the counter attack.

It was from one such counter attack though from a Glentoran corner that Newry sprung out and took the lead on 20 minutes. The Glens getting caught 2v2 at the back and paying the price.

Minutes later an almost identical goal made it 2-0 and the Glens were reeling having controlled the game to suddenly find themselves 2-0 behind.

Glentoran regained some composure and settled down and could have pulled it back to 2-1 before half time as Paul O'Neill had the ball in the net but it was ruled to have passed the by line before Tharma's cross.

At half time Glentoran's players were reminded of their quality and given belief to go and try and win the game and they responded manfully as they dominated the second half.

The introduction of Tipping to lead the line and Paul O'Neill playing deeper and being a nuisance to Newry set the tone but every player stepped their game up.

McCarthy went off with a back twinge and O'Neill was brought off as he was treading a disciplinary tight rope but the men who came off the bench all made big impacts on the game and this helped the Glens kick on and finish the game very strongly.

A formation change to leave 3 at the back freed up Glover and Best who found joy in the wide areas and the Glens mounted the pressure forcing a series of corners and a flurry of longer range efforts before the keeper produced a terrific save from Glover after a flowing move - the Glens had found Thier groove again.

On 72 Captain Mal Smith lead by example as he powered home a header from a corner for 2-1 and that lit the fuse for a rampant 8 minutes.

After another terrific move and great work again by Glover, Ben Cushnie for free to equalise from a tight angle.

Eoin Brown played the pass of the match to Cushnie whose shot was well saved and Truesdale went close before that man Smith rose to the occasion again and powered in another header from a Best corner for 3-2.

Tipping could have took the tension off the last five minutes but his effort was well saved and the Glens survived a scare at the other end as Newry hit the bar but managed to hold on for a well deserved 3 points

Glentoran U20: Ryan Dalzell, Mal Smith, Jamie Glover, Lewis McGarvey, James McCarthy (Eoin Lundy 55), Sean Gallagher, Ross Tharma (Nathan Best 60), Dan Smith (Eoin Brown 70), Paul O'Neill (Ben Cushnie 65), Darryl McKenna (Josh Tipping 45), Dean Truesdale

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Glentoran U20 3 - 1 Glenavon U20

Wednesday 5th September 2018

Paul O'Neill                                 Mal Smith                                     Darryl McKenna

Glentoran entertained Glenavon at the Oval on Wednesday night in a u20 League encounter that promised goals and didn't fail to deliver.

There is always entertainment when these two sides meet at this Level and Wednesday night was no different as the Glens ran out 3-1 winners.

Ex Glenman Jason Hill is on the coaching staff at Glenavon and was welcomed back to the Oval where he previously enjoyed a stint as u20 Manager.

Glentoran didn't take long to hit their stride in this game as Paul O'Neill fired the Glens in front from their first meaningful attack with a lovely swivel and finish from 18 yards.

Mid way through the half a brilliant counter attack made it 2-0 as Mal Smith flew up the line and found himself on the end of a wonderful O'Neill cross field pass to finish through James Taylor's legs for the Glens second of the night.

Glentoran were in total control at this stage but let the foot off the gas a little and Glenavon capitalised and halved the deficit when a cross went unchallenged across the box and was finished at the back post for 2-1.

5 minutes before half time Darryl McKenna rattled in his first goal for the club from 18 yards with a cool bottom corner finish after a deft lay off from Tipping

The second half was a bit of a no contest as both teams huffed and puffed and cancelled eachother out with very little further goal mouth action as the Glens seen out the 3-1 victory

Glentoran U20s: Ryan Dalzell, Mal Smith, Jamie Glover (Lewis McGarvey 55), James Ferrin (Eoin Lundy 60), James McCarthy, Sean Gallagher (Corai Quinn 75), Ross Tharma (Naseem Ouldhamlet 70), Dan Smith, Paul O'Neill, Darryl McKenna (Nathan Best 50), Josh Tipping

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Glentoran U20 3 - 5 Dungannon Swifts U20

Wednesday 29th August 2018

   

Nigel Prentice                            Ross Tharma                                   Josh Tipping

 

Glentoran fell to their second straight league defeat after a horror show second half at the Oval.

The Glens started brightly and dominated possession early in the stages without really creating too many clear cut chances but capitalised on a slack clearance by the Dungannon keeper that was steered into the net by Ross Tharma for 1-0.

5 minutes before half time it was 2-0 when Mal Smith's headed effort was turned onto the bar and Nigel Prentice was on hand to head in the rebound from close range.

At half time the Glens lead 2-0 and seemed to be in control of the game but 35 minutes later were 5-2 down turning in a very poor second half. Dungannon tormented the Glens down the left hand side and over run the midfield in a display that no one could have seen coming at half time.

Josh Tipping scored with a near finish 5 minutes from time to reduce the deficit to 2 goals but the Glens will go home very disappointed and feeling as though it was three points thrown away with a lack of composure in the second half.

Glentoran host Glenavon next Wednesday night and will hope for a big reaction from the players.

Glentoran U20s: Paul McLaughlin, Mal Smith, James McCarthy (Jamie Glover 45), Eoin Lundy, Lewis McGarvey, Jack Henderson (Dan Smith 70), Ross Tharma, Sean Gallagher (Bailie Locke 75), Paul O'Neill,  Eoin Brown (Josh Tipping 55), Nigel Prentice (Nathan Best 60)

  

Match photographs by AM Photography NI

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 Glentoran U20 9 - 2 St Patrick's YM

Saturday 25th August 2018

Steel & Sons Cup First Round

 

Six goal Paul O'Neill

 

Glentoran cruised to a comfortable victory over St Patrick's YM today in the second round of the Steel and Sons Cup.

The game was over as a contest after half an hour when 2 goals from Paul O'Neill and a neat finish from Ben Cushnie had the Glens 3-0 up.

St Pat's rallied and pulled a goal back on 35 but two more Glentoran goals before the break from Nigel Prentice and Paul O'Neill for his hat-trick had the half time score sitting at 5-1.

O'Neill was on fire with a three goal haul in the first half and went out in the second and matched it with a second half hat-trick for a total 6 goal salvo.

Mal Smith scored in the dying minutes to make it 9 after St Pat's had grabbed their second direct from a free kick.

The Glens could have had even more on the day with Prentice and Cushnie coming close on a number of occasions and Tipping having a couple cleared off the line. St Pat's keeper was in fine form between the sticks.

Glentoran however are safely through to the 3rd round where they will face as tough a test as we could ask for being away to Intermediate Cup Holders and last season's Premier Intermediate League Runners Up Queen's.

Glentoran U20s: Paul McLaughlin, Mal Smith, Eoin Lundy (Nathan Best 60), Lewis McGarvey, Dan Smith, Sean Gallagher (Darryl McKenna 65), Lee Chapman, Jack Henderson, Paul O'Neill, Ben Cushnie (Josh Tipping 50), Nigel Prentice.

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Coleraine U20 2 - 1 Glentoran U20

Saturday 18th August 2018

Goalscorer Dan Smith

Glentoran fell to their first defeat of the season in a hotly contested encounter in Coleraine on Saturday. We went to the Showgrounds missing seven starters from Wednesday's win with the first team also playing.

The Glens had led 1-0 at half time but were left deflated by a 96th minute winner for Coleraine.

Coleraine started the brighter of the two sides and dominated possession in the first 15 minutes and the Glens had a magnificent save from by Paul McLaughlin from a James McLaughlin header to thank for keeping the score at 0-0.

If was the Glens though that opened the scoring, against the run of play as Dan Smith swivelled in the box and fired low into the bottom corner for 1-0.

This gave the Glens the confidence they had been lacking in the early exchanges and they went on to dominate the remainder of the first half and should have increased their advantage through Dean Truesdale who twice fired a shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post when well placed.

Mal Smith crashed a free kick off the Coleraine Cross bar before the impressive Eoin Brown fired a dipping shot just over the top

Half time  Coleraine U20 1-0 Glentoran U20

The second half was a much more even contest but again it was the Glens who fashioned the clear cut chances as Truesdale again went close this time firing just wide of the near post before a controversial Coleraine equaliser.

Sean Gallagher was body checked and knocked to the floor on the half way line for what looked a certain free kick but the ref waved play on and Coleraine's skipper strode through and slipped a pass into the path of their pacy front man who made no mistake in front of goal.

The Glens rallied and went close through Tharma whose shot was well blocked before Glens Man of the Match, Mal Smith, found the wood work again after the keeper tipped his dipping shot onto the top of the bar

The Glens survived a strong penalty appeal at the other end and but it was the Glens finishing strongly and in search of a winner.

The ref stated there would be four additional minutes and the Glens pressed for the winner right to the end, indeed in the 94th minute McKenna found space on the edge of the 18 but was crudely taken out on the edge of the box - again the ref waved play on before the ball was put out for McKenna to receive treatment, his afternoon was over with what looked a nasty rib injury. This led to an additional two minutes being played and with the Glens down to ten Coleraine went long down the other end and forced a corner.

From the resulting delivery the Glens collectively went to sleep allowing Coleraine skipper space in the box to hammer home a winner right on the referee's whistle.

Full time  Coleraine U20 2-0 Glentoran U20

Glentoran U20s: Paul McLaughlin, Mal Smith, Lewis McGarvey, Eoin Lundy, Ross Tharma (Nathan Best 65), Dean Truesdale, Sean Gallagher, Dan Smith (Sean Wallace 50), Eoin Brown (Darryl McKenna 60), Ben Cushnie (Corai Quinn 70), Josh Tipping

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Glentoran U20 2-0 Ards U20

Wednesday 15th August 2018

 

 

Glentoran U20 continued their good start to the season with a 2-0 win over Ards at the Oval.

Ards finished one place above the Glens last season and means after two games the Glens have beaten two of last season's top 3.

The team was much changed from last week's win over the Reds as Ronnie McFall used the game as an opportunity to ensure some playing time for Steven Gordon, James Ferrin, Paul O'Neill, Jack Henderson and James McCarthy who all started alongside new signing Joe Crowe.

Crowe looked comfortable on his debut in the middle of the park beside Henderson as they controlled the engine room for long spells in the game.

The first half was one of few chances despite the Glens superiority in possession - a neat finish from Ben Cushnie after a flowing move down the right was all the Glens could manage in the first half to separate the teams.

Henderson and O'Neill tried their luck from distance and Truesdale warmed the keepers hands from a free kick but chances remained at a premium.  Half Time: Glentoran U20 1 v 0 Ards U20

The second half was a different story as Ards started strongly and pressed for an equaliser in the opening ten minutes but eventually Crowe and Henderson got to grips with the game again and the impressive Ben Cushnie was at his creative best as he struck a right foot volley from 18 yards that the keeper down well to parry.

Moments later he slipped between two defenders to square for O'Neill who fired over the bar when well placed.

Cushnie came close again after neat play from Henderson - he latched onto a through pass and tried to round the keeper but the Ards stopper recovered well to push the ball past the post.

The Glens finally doubled their advantage when Stevie Gordon met a deep cross with a left foot volley from 20 yards to hammer home the Glens second.

Tipping almost made it three to round off a super performance but his back post header was glanced agonisingly wide so the Glens had to settle for 2-0 - the clean sheet assured late on by a good stop from McLaughlin in a commanding performance from the young keeper.  Full Time: Glentoran U20 2 v 0 Ards U20

Glentoran U20s: Paul McLaughlin, Steven Gordon (Mal Smith 75), James McCarthy (Jamie Craig 75), Lewis McGarvey, James Ferrin, Joe Crowe, Jack Henderson, Nigel Prentice (Nathan Best 70), Ben Cushnie, Paul O'Neill (Josh Tipping 65), Dean Truesdale (Ross Tharma 60)

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Cliftonville U20 3-5 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 8th August 2018

Glentoran and Cliftonville played out an 8 goal thriller at Solitude in the opening u20 League game of the season.

Cliftonville came out of the blocks flying and playing at a very high tempo that had them in control of the opening 30 minutes of the game. They deservedly went in front through their dangerous left winger cutting inside and firing into the far corner from 20 yards.

The Reds might have doubled their lead on a couple of occasions but Glentoran eventually settled into the game and on 40 minutes pulled level after a rocket like long throw from Tipping was flicked on by McGarvey to tee up Tharma to equalise. Half Time: Cliftonville 1 v 1 Glentoran

The Glens made two changes at half time introducing Lundy to the back line giving more balance with his left foot on the left side of the back three with Lee Chapman pushed higher up the pitch where he had a great influence on the second half. The other half time change was Ben Cushnie, fresh from a starring role in the Super Cup NI Premier Final for County Down, Ben made an instant impact, scoring with his first touch and he was a thorn in Cliftonville's side throughout the half.

At 2-1 the Glens were really in the ascendancy with Jack Henderson dominating the middle of the park and it was no surprise when Nigel Prentice pounced to make it 3-1. The Glens almost made it four with a smashing move down the left between Prentice, Glover and Cushnie resulting in a cross right across the face of goal that just wouldn't sit for Tipping to finish.

The Reds issued a timely reminder that the game was far from over as the hammered in a second from a corner kick. Moments later Tipping got his goal after a series of one and two touch passed from Chapman, Cushnie and Henderson set Josh bearing down on goal and he fired low into the bottom corner for 4-2. Cliftonville would not lie down however and their impressive left winger cut inside again and again curled a shot into the far corner of the goal for 4-3 - game on again!

The Glens kept the Reds at bay and controlled the game well however before sealing the win with Prentice's second and Glentoran's fifth of the night with 5 minutes left. Another neat finish from the pacy forward.

There was still time for a final piece of drama however when Mal Smith handled in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Cliftonville's left winger stepped up in search of a hat-trick but 15 year old Ryan Dalzell got a big hand to the penalty and pushed it onto the bar to ensure a 5-3 victory for Glentoran.  Full Time: Cliftonville 3 v 5 Glentoran


Glens U20: Ryan Dalzell, Mal Smith, Lewis McGarvey, Lee Chapman, Nathan Best (Eoin Lundy 45), Jack Henderson, Dan Smith (Sean Wallace 60), Jamie Glover (Jamie Craig 70), Ross Tharma (Ben Cushnie 45), Nigel Prentice, Josh Tipping (Naseem Ouldhamlat 70)
 

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U20 Fixtures can be found by clicking here 

Glentoran U20 1-1 Glenavon U20

Sunday 22 April 2018

Glentoran U20s played their final league game of the season this afternoon at a sun drenched Oval against Andy Mathieson’s Glenavon.

Two young sides played out an entertaining 1-1 draw that sees Glentoran sitting 6 points and a plus 7 goal difference ahead of Crusaders in fourth place - the Crues have two games left to play and may well yet pip the Glens on goal difference but even if that happens, Glentoran will finish higher than last season with quite probably the youngest squad in the league - which gives the lads a lot of confidence that next season can be a successful one.

The Glens still have the George Wilson Cup to play and are away to Newry City U20 on the 2nd of May looking to seal a place in the Quarter Final.

Back to today’s action however and the Glens looked lively early on as Cricky Conn and Conall Delaney both tested the Glenavon keeper early on.

Paul O’Neill, making his first appearance in a month due to injury, opened the scoring on 20 minutes when McKenna set Conn free down the left, Conn weaved his magic and found O’Neill in the box who finished well.

The Glens peppered the Glenavon goal for long periods in the first half but the finishing left a lot to be desired as they fired straight at Glenavon’s keeper on four occassions and Conn saw a terrific header smash off the bar.

The Glens were then hit with a sucker punch when a long ball over the Glens back four was latched onto by the Glenavon forward and he fired low across goal into the far corner for 1-1 a minute before half time. Half Time 1-1

The Glens dominated possession in the second half but lacked a cutting edge with O’Neill playing his way back to fitness and Tipping, Truesdale and last week’s man of the match Eamon McLaughlin all missing through injury.

The Glens had several attempts to find the elusive winner but came closest when Conn wriggled free of the left and clipped a shot over the keeper onto the cross bar before O’Neill’s hooked rebound was cleared off the line.

Glenavon’s centre backed saved a certain goal minutes later with a fantastic last ditch sliding block.

One bright spark from a disapointing day was the debuts for young Caolan McBride and Seamus Duffy from our under 15s - two massively talented boys who acquitted themselves very well in the game and Seamus could have grabbed the winner with a dipping shot from 20 yards towards the top corner that the Glenavon keeper did well to stop.

In the end the Glens had to settle for a share of the spoils and now await the outcome of the Crues last two games to see where we will finish in the table. Full Time 1-1

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Tre Sterling 5. James McCarthy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Conall Delaney 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Darryl McKenna 11. Christopher Conn

Subs: 12. Dan Smith (Gallagher 45) 13. Caolan McBride (McKenna 60) 14. Seamus Duffy (Delaney 70)

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Coleraine U20 1 - 2 Glentoran U20

Saturday 14 April 2018

Glentoran faced Coleraine for the third time this season and secured their first win over the Bannsiders with a hard fought and well deserved victory.

The two sides drew 2-2 at The Oval in October before the Glens lost in January up in Coleraine and it was a return to the University of Ulster pitch today for the wee Glens as they sought to set the record straight against Coleraine.

The Glens enjoyed long periods of possession as the impressive midfield pairing of Jack Henderson and man of the match Eamon McLaughlin ran the show, allowing Ross Tharma, Conall Delaney and Josh Tipping to look dangerous in the Coleraine area.

The Glens went close early on as Tipping flicked a cross goalward but it was well saved by the Coleraine stopper.

Tipping then barged his way through and square for Truesdale whose shot was well blocked.

Tipping again was in the thick of the action as he had a good shot blocked for a corner.

Delaney jinked his way through to fire just wide before he set Tipping free on the edge of the area, the big target man swivelled and slipped in Tharma who fired into the roof of the net for 1-0.

The Glens lost Tipping at half time to injury and also lost captain McCarthy who hurt an ankle when making a fantastic last ditch tackle right on half time. Half time 0-1

Dean Truesdale joined the ranks of the walking wounded as he succumbed to injury five minutes into the second half and that meant all three subs had bee made within 50 minutes.

Coleraine enjoyed more possession in the second half and levelled the tie at 1-1 from the penalty spot mid-way through the half.

Glentoran were not to be denied and Eamon McLaughlin fired home a winner 15 minutes from time to seal a deserved and hard fought three points. Full time 1-2

1. Paul McLa ughlin 2. Mal Smith3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. James McCarthy 6. Jack Henderson 7. Ross Tharma 8. Eamon McLaughlin 9. Josh Tipping 10. Conall Delaney 11. Dean Truesdale

Subs: 12. Jamie Craig (fTipping 45) 13. Sean Gallagher ( McCarthy 45) 14. Darryl McKenna (Truesdale 50)

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Glentoran U20 4-0 Warrenpoint Town U20

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Glentoran strolled through this U20 encounter with Warrenpoint in what was their penultimate home league game this season.

The Glens dominated possession throughout and created an early opening through Truesdale as he fired just wide before McCawl forced a save from the Point keeper.

McMullan forced another fine save from the keeper before Truesdale opened the scoring with a low left foot drive mid-way through the half.

Eoghan McCawl doubled the lead with a swerving shot from 18 yards. Half time 2-0

Glentoran made it three five minutes into the second half when McMullan finished after a Tipping lay off

Tipping almost made it four with a cheeky back heel that was cleared off the line before Truesdale rifled a shot off the post

McNicholl finished well at the back post from a Conn cross for 4-0

The Glens had three goals disallowed for off-sides in the second half and came close to adding to their tally of four on several occasions but wont complain about a four goal victory and a clean sheet!

Between the posts on Wednesday night was u15 goalkeeper Ryan Dalzell, Ryan who has just turned 15, made a couple of very good saves to maintain the clean sheet in what was a very competent debut from the young stopper Full time 4-0

1. Ryan Dalzell 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover4 . Lewis McGarvey 5. James McCarthy 6. Tre Sterling 7. Tiarnan McNicholl 8. Corey McMullan 9. Dean Truesdale 10. Eoghan McCawl 11. Conall Delaney

Subs: 12. Josh Tipping (McGarvey 45) 13. Christopher Conn (Truesdale 60) 14. Jack Henderson (Smith 70)

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Ballymena UnitedU20 1-1 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 21st March2018

As has become the story of this season for the Wee Glens Ballymena grabbed a last minute equaliser in this u20 contest that Glentoran had led since the 17th minute when Lewis McGarvey finished well at the back post from a corner.

The big 16 year old centre back capped a super all round display with the cool finish from Conn’s corner which came 5 minutes after Dean Truesdale had cannoned a shot against Ballymena’s right hand post

Soon after McGarvey’s opener Jack Henderson almost doubled the Glens advantage when he crashed a right foot shot off the cross bar from 20 yards.

The Glens were well on top in the opening stages and should have had a penalty when Mal Smith was brought down when well placed to score but the ref inexplicably waved play on.

Ballymena’s first sight at goal on 37 minutes saw them fire into the side netting from an acute angle. Half time 0-1

In the second half Glentoran continued to play all the football and created more openings as Tipping had a header just over and seen a right footed snap shot well saved.

Christopher Conn fired over the bar from 20 yards and Sean Gallagher had a low drive well blocked from a corner.

The Glens looked lively on the counter attack but Emmett Friars experience kept Ballymena in the game and is often the case when a team doesnt take their chances the Glens paid the price when a deflected shot on 89 minutes found its way into the Glentoran net for a very late equaliser. A special mention for Mal Smith at right back who was awesome from start to finish and had his best game for Glentoran at this level.  Full time 1-1

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Craig 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. James McCarthy 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Dean Truesdale 10. Eamon McLaughlin 11. Christopher Conn

Subs. 12. Josh Tipping (McCarthy 60) 14. Darryl McKenna (for Best 70) 15. Jamie Glover (Conn 75)

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Glentoran U20 2-1 Linfield U20

Wednesday 21st March2018

For the first time this season the U20 Big Two Derby featured both sides playing a young team with Linfield averaging a year older than the Glens but both well under the maximum 20 year age limit. Two well matched teams made for a terrific encounter.

Both teams attempted to play good football with a very high intensity to the game from the off.

As is typical in Big Two games there was no quarter asked for given on either side as the tackles flew but the game was played in a good spirit throughout with no cards brandished by the referee across the 90.

The Glens enjoyed long spells on possession in the opening period but both defenses were on top in the first half with James McCarthy in particular turning in an outstanding display in the heart of the Glentoran back four.

Chances were at a premium but mid-way through the half McNicholl warmed the gloves of the Linfield keeper from 30 yards before Delaney shot just wide.

Soon after the Glens made the breakthrough when Dean Truesdale, making his first appearance against his former club, whipped a free kick in from the right that evaded everyone and flew into the net at the back post.

Linfield came close in the closing stages when a free header was sent skyward and into the East Belfast evening sky from a corner.  Half time 1-0

The second half saw Glentoran start well and at a high intensity, playing some good football much in the same manner as the first half with Conall Delaney having more of an influence in the proceedings but gradually Linfield, looking to get back into the game, started to go more direct in their approach and turned the Glens back four at every opportunity and the Glens began to sit deeper and invited the mounting Linfield pressure.

Paul McLaughlin made two superb saves tipping a fierce free kick onto the cross bar before a fantastic reflex save from a point blank volley inside the six yard box brought Linfield a corner.

Five minutes from time Linfield scored what had been the inevitable equaliser and it looked like another late goal would cost the young Glens.

However the goal sparked the right reaction in Glentoran and they immediately moved up through the gears and pinned Linfield back forcing a couple of corners before a fantastic pass from Eamon McLaughlin released McNicholl on 88, McNicholl pulled the ball back and Ross Tharma strode into the box in off the left to slam home the winner

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith3. Jamie Glover 4. James Ferrin 5. James McCarthy 6. Jack Henderson 7. Nathan Best 8. Sean Gallagher 9. Tiarnan McNicholl 10. Conall Delaney 11. Dean Truesdale

Subs: 12. Eamon McLaughlin (for Best 45) 13. Ross Tharma (for Truesdale 65) 14. Darryl McKenna (for Gallagher 85)

Not used: Kai Wardlow, Lewis McGarvey

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Glentoran U20 5-5 Carrick Rangers U20

Wednesday 7th March2018

   

Glentoran and Carrick shared the points and ten goals between them at the Oval tonight in a thrilling U20 encounter.

The game was in doubt 24 hours earlier but thanks to the excellent work of our groundsman the game got the go ahead and what a treat it was for the spectator!

The Glens have had a very up and down season with a young side and this was all summed up in one evening tonight. Two weeks ago the boys were superb against Ards, last week we suffered a drubbing at Solitude and tonight we witnessed both the best and worst of our young team in the course of ninety.

3-1 down at the break the Glens were excellent in the second half and should have had the game out of sight before Carrick hit a 95th minute equaliser.

That seemed an eternity away from Carrick opening the scoring in the first half when a low cross was glanced in across the keeper from a set piece.

Five minutes later it was 2 when a mix up between McCarthy and Anderson led to Carrick’s forward nipping in to finish.

This seemed to stir the Glens into life and a minute later it was 2-1 when McNicholl’s cross was met with a bullet like header from Paul O’Neill into the top corner.

The Glens could have equalised through Tipping but he elected to pass rather than pull the trigger and the chance was lost, then he glanced a header goal wards that was well blocked.

Just before half time Carrick made it three from a break away that was poorly defended and Carrick had an unmarked back post tap in. Half Time Glentoran U20 1-3 Carrick Rangers U20

Glentoran shuffled the pack at half time with Conall Delaney coming inside and Cricky Conn coming into the fray and the little livewire made an instant impact to set the tone for the second half as he drifted past four Carrick players and shot just wide.

The Glens blitzed Carrick with three goals in ten minutes early in the half as Dean Truesdale scored one and set two on a plate for Conn to put the Glens 4-3 in front.

Soon after Josh Tipping burst into the box and was taken down by the keeper for a penalty - the big front man’s luck in front of goal has deserted him over the last few games and that continued as the keeper saved his resulting penalty.

Ten minutes later Carrick converted a penalty of their own, 4-4.

The Glens went close again through Tipping, once with a looping header and once with a shot across the face of goal.

Carrick forced a flurry of corners before Eamon McLaughlin struck the pass of the game on 87 for Truesdale to race through and put the Glens 5-4 up.

There was still time for a sucker punch from Carrick right at the death as a scramble at the back post from a corner was bundled in for 5-5 Full Time Glentoran U20 5-5 Carrick Rangers U20

1. Matthew Anderson 2. Daniel Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Jack Maguire 5. James McCarthy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Tiarnan McNicholl 8. Eamon McLaughlin 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Josh Tipping 11. Conall Delaney

Subs: Dean Truesdale (O’Neill 40) Christopher Conn (Gallagher 45) Kai Wardlow (Smith 65)

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Ards U20 0-2 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 21st February 2018

     

 

Glentoran faced Ards for the third time this season having yet to taste victory over our North Down neighbours this season.

Ards are a class outfit at this level and currently sit one place above the Glens in third in the table so it was always going to be a tough test.

The young Glens were determined to set the record straight after two disappointing performances against Ards and started very brightly as they pressed all over the park and didnt let them settle on the ball.

Sean Gallagher and Jack Henderson’s blossoming partnership in the middle of the park shone again as they dictated the game for Glentoran feeding the front four who were a handful for Ards.

Nathan Best was getting the better of the left back in the early exchanges as he turned in his best display to date at this level in the green, red and black and was a constant thorn in Ards side.

Tipping and O’Neill continued to grow their understanding as a pair up top as both start to return to full fitness and it was Paul who broke the dead lock as he latched on to a fantastic pass from Mal Smith to slam home passed the keeper.

Christopher Conn returned to the starting eleven after a week spent with Burnley and showed his class in the first half as he ran at the Ards right back at every opportunity - to Ards credit they were equal to everything the Glens could throw at them for the remainder of the half. Half Time Ards U20 0-1 Glentoran U20

The second half saw Glentoran start with the same purpose and drive and Tipping almost doubled the lead but the ball just wouldnt sit for him to get a good shot off after a brilliant volleyed cross from O’Neill.

Christopher Conn then weaved his magic as he slalomed past two Ards defenders and around the keeper to fire the ball into the net only for the linesman to flag for a hotly disputed off side

The Glens did double their lead however when Henderson was brought down 30 yards from goal - Conn whipped in a superb cross that was met with a bullet header by Skipper McCarthy.

Glentoran managed the remainder of the game and came away with a comfortable clean sheet after Paul McLaughlin made a smart low save at his near post from Ards’ closest attempt ten minute from the end. Final Score Ards U20 0-2 Glentoran U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Jack Maguire 5. James McCarthy (1) 6. Sean Og Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O’Neill (1) 10. Josh Tipping 11. Christopher Conn

Subs: Kai Wardlow ( Gallagher 65) Lewis McGarvey (Smith 70)  Darryl Mckenna (for Conn 70)

 

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Glentoran U20 0-1 Crusaders U20

Wednesday 14th February 2018

The Wee Glens took on Crusaders at the Oval on Wednesday evening with a youthful side. We were dominant throughout in terms of possession but paid the price for some inexperience in dealing with the physical presence of Mikel Suarez early on.

Credit to our young back four who quickly got to grips with the challenge of Suarez and Michael Carvill and restricted Crusaders to very few chances for the remainder of the contest. However some hesitancy from an early corner lead to Suarez bundling home the only goal of the game after five minutes.

Glentoran welcomed back Jack Henderson and Jamie Glover from International duty and Henderson dictated the game in midfield with an excellent display. Henderson and U18 Skipper Sean Gallagher gelled well in midfield and allowed Glentoran to control possession and play some excellent football throughout.

James McCarthy made his first start in four games after returning from an ankle injury and could have equalised when he headed against the bar from a corner in the Glens first sight of goal.

They were soon to have another when O’Neill curled just wide after a smart lay off from Tipping.

Tipping and O’Neill linked well again to tee up McKenna and his back post cross was cleared off the head of Truesdale as Crusaders goal beckoned.

Mal Smith was next to go close, this time from distance as he curled an effort just over after another Tipping lay off.    Half Time Glentoran U20 0-1 Crusaders U20

Paul O’Neill had the first sight of goal in the second half as he glanced a header wide of the far post before a great one two between him and Tipping sent Paul through on goal only for the ref to call play back for a free kick to Glentoran for a foul on Tipping. O’Neill saw the resulting free kick comfortably saved.

O’Neill was a constant menace to the Crues but unfortunately couldnt find the finish his performance deserved and fired another effort over the bar on 75 mins

Nathan Best came close when he raced through after a swift counter attack but a brilliant covering tackle saw the ball blocked out for a corner.

From the resulting corner Truesdale almost forced an equaliser but the game fizzled out to a 1-0 defeat despite a very encouraging performance with some excellent football played. Full Time Glentoran U20 0-1 Crusaders U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Jack Maguire 5. James McCarthy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Darryl McKenna 8. Jack Henderson 9. Josh Tipping 10. Paul O’Neill 11. Dean Truesdale

Subs: Nathan Best (McKenna 65)  Alex Lalor (Tipping 70)  Ross Tharma (Maguire 75)

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Glentoran U20 3-1 Dungannon Swifts U20

Saturday 10 February 2018

    

Glentoran dominated this game from start to finish but laboured in front of goal for an hour before the impressive Eoghan McCawl broke the deadlock with a back post header.

The Glens started the game brightly when Dean Truesdale raced clear but saw his shot come back off the post. Truesdale was bundled over by the keeper when going for the rebound but the referee waved away Glentoran protests and Dungannon escaped.

The last time Paul O’Neill and Josh Tipping played up front together in Glentoran shirts it was the under 16 NIBFA Cup Final with them bagging 6 goals between them! They instantly sparked off the relationship where it left off as Josh flicked on a lovely pass from Delaney for O’Neill who fired just over.

O’Neill then fed Tipping who turned in the box and spread it wide to Nathan Best whose cross fizzed across the face of goal begging for a tap in.

Tipping and O’Neill linked well again on 15 mins with the latter being brought down for a free kick.

Best took the set piece and curled a great cross onto the head of O’Neill who converted with a powerful header only for the ref to blow up for offside

Tipping was forced to hobble off after a clash of knees on 25 and was replaced by McKenna - McKenna looked busy and soon had an effort just wide

The game drifted to half time with few more openings being created leaving the coaching staff asking for a higher tempo second half. Half Time Glentoran U20 0-0 Dungannon Swifts U20

That was duly delivered when Tre Sterling moved up into midfield and he stamped his authority on the game as Glentoran took more control.

Sterling forced the ball to McKenna whose shot was tipped over and from the resulting corner McCawl made the break through.

The Glens quickly added a second through a fierce shot from Truesdale. The points were made safe when Ross Tharma picked the ball up on the left and cut inside to shoot low from 18 yards into the corner.

Dungannon had time to grab a consolation from a free kick when an unfortunate slip from Ferrin allowed the ball to run through to their striker to finish well. Full Time Glentoran U20 3-1 Dungannon Swifts U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Kai Wardlow 4. Tre Sterling 5. James Ferrin 6. Eoghan McCawl 7. Nathan Best 8. Conall Delaney 9. Josh Tipping 10. Paul O’Neill11. Dean Truesdale

Subs: Darryl McKenna (Tipping 25) Jack Maguire (Best 60) Ross Tharma (Truesdale 70)

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Coleraine U20 3-0 Glentoran U20

Saturday 26 January 2018

The returned Josh Tipping

Glentoran U20 came off the back of an excellent display on Tuesday night with a very young side against a Carrick team fielding 8 first team players, so the players travelled to Coleraine with a lot of confidence despite a few changes to the team from the Carrick game.

Out went Jonathan Smith and Tre Sterling from the first team squad and also missing was Darryl McKenna and the 2 goal Christopher Conn. The influential James McCarthy and Paul O’Neill remained sidelined through injury.

We were able to welcome into the panel the returning Josh Tipping for his first game back in a Glentoran shirt after deciding to leave Chesterfield in September. It has been a long wait to get Josh freed up to play and for his international clearance to come through but it was great to see him back home in red, green and black.

Also into the squad came U18 Captain Sean Gallagher and central defender Lewis McGarvey moved into the starting line up with Kai Wardlow returning to the squad after illness.

The coaching staff were confident of a good away performance to build on the good work from Tuesday night but it wasnt to be as the Glens struggled to cope with the conditions and dreadful playing surface and too many players were off their game at the same time.

After a slow start where the Glens could and probably should have conceded one spot kick before giving away a stone wall penalty - converted with aplomb by the Coleraine striker - the Glens rallied and started to find the dangerous Truesdale on the left.
Truesdale and Tipping linked well for our first chance as Josh showed he has lost none of his strikers instinct as he drifted away from two markers to fashion a scoring opportunity that was eventually well saved by the Coleraine stopper.

Tipping grew into the game and was at the centre of most of Glentoran’s dangerous play in the first half as he linked well with McLaughlin for a wayward effort from the midfielder before setting Truesdale through but his shot was blocked for a corner.

The Glens forced a series of corners and Tipping almost broke his duck when the keeper missed a delivery but it came too quickly for Josh to adjust his feet.

Sean Gallagher was next to test the Coleraine keeper as he tipped his powerful header onto the bar.

Against the run of play Coleraine broke and all too easily grabbed a second when one long ball beat Glentoran’s entire defence and their striker slid the ball home.

The Glens struggled all day to deal with Coleraine’s direct style but credit must got to Coleraine for dealing with the conditions better as they played football in the right areas and put the ball i to dangerous positions as opposed to the Glens who over played in the middle of the park often losing the ball in the sticky, bobbly pitch.

The Glens were put under real pressure in the middle by the outstanding Whiteside in the Coleraine midfield and the Glens failed to settle.

One bright spark in the first half saw Henderson feed McLaughlin whose excellent disguised reverse pass found Tipping in space but again the number 9’s effort was well saved.  Half time Coleraine U20 2-0 Glentoran U20

In the second half Glentoran started with a bit more purpose after a change in formation and some stern words at half time and were building momentum in the game when another long ball caught us cold for 3-0.

The game was effectively over as a contest when Glentoran lost centre back Eoin Lundy to a nasty knee injury and had to play the remaining 25 minutes with ten men having made three subs already.

A very disappointing day all round for Glentoran and a harsh lesson for the young players in adapting to conditions - a quirk of the fixtures has Glentoran away to Coleraine again next Saturday with a perfect opportunity to improve.  Full time Coleraine U20 3-0 Glentoran U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Lewis McGarvey 5. Eoin Lundy 6. Sean Gallagher 7. Nathan Best 8. Eamon McLaughlin 9. Josh Tipping 10. Jack Henderson 11. Dean Truesdale

Subs:  Barry Baggley (Best 50) Kai Wardlow (Henderson 60) Ben Cushnie (Tipping 65)

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Glentoran  U20 3-4 Carrick Rangers U20

Tuesday 23 January January 2018

    

Tonight's goalscorers, Cristopher "Cricky" Conn  and Dean Truesdale.

This under 20 tie was Glentoran’s first game since the 4-1 home win over Ballinamallard 10 days ago and it was to be a real test as the Glens lined out with our youngest team of the season to date against a Carrick side bolstered by no fewer than 8 recognised first team players with 5 of the starting line up having played in the 1-1 draw at Taylor’s Avenue just before Christmas in the Danske Bank Premiership along with three new January signings.

Glentoran’s kids were not over-awed however after Carrick started quickly out of the blocks the Glens grew into the game and played some excellent football in the opening 30 minutes - fashioning three good scoring opportunities to take the lead.

The Glens inevitably tired a little as the half wore on and Carrick capitalised scoring a super counter attack goal when Central African Republic International Ralph Kottoy sent on loan Linfield player Eamon Scannell clear down the left and he centred for Ryan Nimmick to score at the back post. Half time score Glentoran U20 1-1 Carrick Rangers U20

Glentoran started the second half well but it was Carrick who scored again when a similar move saw highly experienced former Glentoran striker Darren Henderson cut across Eoin Lundy to make it 2-0.

Glentoran continued to play some very good football and looked confident and composed beyond their years with Eamon McLaughlin starring in midfield but the introduction of U20 talisman Christopher “Cricky” Conn turned the game on its head.

Within 30 seconds of coming Conn had left Aaron Smyth for dead and square towards Truesdale whose shot was blocked for a corner.

Two minutes later though Conn cut inside from the left again and Curled a brilliant effort into the far corner from 20 yards. Game on!

The Glens pressed looking for the equaliser and came close again through Jonathan Smith but again it was Carrick who scored next when an almost identical goal from Henderson made it 3-1.

The Glens refused to lie down and Conn conjured up more magic as he dropped into midfield drove forward with the ball and split the Carrick defence for Smith to drive through on goal to square the ball to Dean Truesdale for a debut goal for the big Newry born front man. Just reward for Dean for a hard working performance.

Carrick now looked tired and as the Glens threw on 15 year old Barry Baggley into an advanced midfield area this signalled the intention to get back level as Barry, despite his tender years has incredible creativity.Barry was involved in the build up of our next attack which resulted in a free kick. Up stepped Conn. 22 yards out he curled the ball into the far corner of the goal, 3-3!

The dream come back was almost complete on 88 when a fantastic flowing move resulted in McLaughlin lofting a ball over the Carrick back line for Baggley who took it brilliantly on his first touch and sent it destined for the top corner only for Carrick’s keeper to get finger tips to it and send it over for a corner.

There was to be one last sting in the tail as Carrick were awarded a set piece on 92 minutes which caused chaos in the Glentoran box before Darren Henderson stabbed home his hat-trick goal for 4-3.

A disappointing end to a very entertaining match for Glentoran but the players can be very proud of their efforts given the squad contained 7 players aged 16 or younger, 5 17 year olds and 3 players aged 18 with only one player, Smith in his 20s. Promising for the future that the boys can go up against such experience and compete well - an indication of the inexperience of the squad being that Mal Smith at just 16 Captained the team this evening. Full time score Glentoran U20 3-4 Carrick Rangers U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Tre Sterling 5. Eoin Lundy 6. Eamon McLaughlin 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Dean Truesdale 10. Jonathan Smith 11. Darryl McKenna

Subs: Cricky Conn (McKenna, 60) Lewis McGarvey (Sterling, 60) Barry Baggley (Best, 70)

Not used: Sean Gallagher, Jamie Craig

Goals: Conn (2), Truesdale

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Glentoran U20 4-1 Ballinamallard U20

Saturday 13th January 2018

           

Glentoran had a few injuries and players unavailable this week which gave an opportunity to players to step up from the under 18s with Eoin Lundy starting the game and Ben Cushnie, Sean Gallagher and Lewis McGarvey named amongst the substitutes.

Also on the bench was 14 year old goalkeeper Ryan Dalzell who came in as cover for Matthew Anderson who in turn was deputising for Paul McLaughlin who made the his first trip with the first team squad to Fermanagh in place of the ill Dwayne Nelson.

The first half was a bit of a non event with Anderson making one good save for the Glens while the Glens failed to translate their dominance in possession into goals. Half Time Glentoran U20 0-0 Ballinamallard U20

A reshuffle at half time released the impressive Mal Smith and Jamie Glover further forward as wing backs as Mark Lowe dropped in to make a three at the back and it wasnt long before the added width opened up the Mallards defence with Glover cutting in and finding Conn who made no mistake.

Mal Smith added the second after a surgin run. Christopher Conn made in 3 soon after.

Steven Gordon added the gloss to the win an audascious lob from 25 yards for 4-0

Ballinamallard pulled one back a few minutes from time when a well struck free kick came back off the post and was tapped in by their alert strike-force. Full Time Glentoran U20 4-1 Ballinamallard U20

1. Matthew Anderson 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie glover 4. Eoin Lundy 5. James McCarthy 6. Mark Lowe 7. Corey McMullan 8. Jack Henderson 9. Christopher Conn 10. Conall Delaney 11. Steven Gordon

Subs: Kai Wardlow (McCarthy) Sean Gallagher (Henderson) Cushnie for Delaney

Goals: Conn (2), Gordon, Smith

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Warrenpoint Town U20 2-3 Glentoran U20

Saturday 6th January 2018

      

 

The Under 20s travelled to Warrenpoint today looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance last time out against Linfield and made a strong start to the game playing some excellent football in the first half hour.

Mark Lowe and Jack Henderson pulled the strings in midfield as the Glens forced Warrenpoint back into their own half and created several chances for Paul O'Neill and Conall Delaney who forced great saves out of the Point keeper. Henderson also tested the keeper with a smashing low effort before James Ferrin and then Tre Sterling headed just over.

Just as it looked like the Glens would go into half time with nothing to show for their efforts, they found a breakthrough with James Ferrin after his initial header was saved, he bundled the rebound into the net.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 when O'Neill raced onto Sterling's clearance to round the keeper and finish.

On the stroke of half time it was 3 as 'Point failed to clear a corner and it came to the back post to Ferrin who slammed the ball across the keeper into the net.

The 3-0 half time lead was just what Glentoran deserved for their first half performance and dominance. Half time Warrenpoint Town U20 0-3 Glentoran U20

The Glens lost McCarthy at half time to a knock and the early change in the second half withdrawing Henderson seemed to unravel the Glens shape and allowed Warrenpoint space to play and they grew into the game, enjoying spells of prolonged possession.

Glentoran defended well and Paul McLaughlin was largely a spectator as the Glens tried to pick off more goals on the counter attack. A combination of wasteful finishing and a lowering in the tempo of the performance lead to a second half struggle and when Warrenpoint grabbed a goal back with ten minutes to play after a long range effort it gave them something to play for.

Two minutes into added time Point scored a second from a corner to leave a grandstand final two minutes in which the Glens just managed to eek out a win from a game that they should have seen through more comfortably.

A valuable lesson for the young players in the importance of playing on the front foot and pressing home your advantage in a game when on top, credit to Warrenpoint for a strong second half display Full time Warrenpoint Town U20 2-3 Glentoran U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. James McCarthy 4. Tre Sterling 5. James Ferrin 6. Mark Lowe 7. Nathan Best 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O'Neill 10. Conall Delaney 11. Kai Wardlow

Subs: 12. Sean Wallace (McCarthy 45) 13. Daryl McKenna (Henderson 55) 14. Eoin Lundy (Smith 65)

 

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Linfield U20 5-1 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 27th December 2017


Glentoran U20 were brought back down to earth with a bump in Bangor this evening. After a fine 3-0 win over Cliftonville in their last outing, the Wee Glens endured a nightmare first half against a Linfield team containing experienced out of favour first teamers Jimmy Callacher, Jordan Stewart, Louis Rooney and on loan QPR striker Brandon Adams. The Glens team included Ross Redman in his first game after injury plus Tiarnan McNicholl and Steven Gordon but lost the in form Jonathan Smith to first team duty..


The Wee Glens went a goal behind inside ten minutes after clever link up play by Jordan Stewart on the right ended in a low cross that was finished well by Linfield’s striker.

We were rocked further five minutes later when Stewart again got free down the right before cutting across and working the ball over to Linfield’s overlapping full back who finished well across Paul McLaughlin. The keeper then had a moment he will want to forget ten minutes later as he got caught under a speculative lob that he could only parry into his own goal.


After half an hour it was four as the Glens struggled to get to grips with Linfield’s movement in the final third.
The Glens scored what would only be a consolation soon after when Paul O’Neill pounced on a mistake to make it 4-1.
Shortly before half time the scoring for the evening was finished when Linfield’s left winger slammed in at the near post.  Half Time: Linfield U20 5-1 Glentoran U20


The Glens rallied in the second half and enjoyed some periods of prolonged possession with the introduction of Conn and Henderson adding to the forward momentum but the Glens couldn’t fashion any clear cut openings to cut the deficit and so the game petered out to a 5-1 defeat.


A tough night for Glentoran but the boys will hope to bounce back on Saturday at home to Dungannon Swifts.  Full Time: Linfield U20 5-1 Glentoran U20


1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Ross Redman 4. Podraig Hughes  5. James McCarthy 6. Mark Lowe 7. Tiarnan McNicholl 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Steven Gordon 11. Conall Delaney

Subs: Christopher Conn (O’Neill 45) Jack Henderson (McNicholl 50) Kai Wardlow (Lowe 55)

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Glentoran U20 3-0 Cliftonville U20

  Wednesday 20 December 2017

    

 

The table topping Reds came to the Oval on Wednesday evening for an Under 20 clash with a Glentoran side that hadn’t kicked a ball in anger since 6th December.

The Glens made three changes from that side with Garrett back in the first team fold and Wardlow and Wallace rotated to the bench. In came Henderson, Glover and Conn.

The Glens were a little rusty as they took a few minutes to settle into the game but thankfully Paul McLaughlin was on his mettle from the off and made three fine stops inside the first fifteen minutes.

The Glens settled into their rhythm in the game and took control of proceedings after the shaky start and found a strong foothold in the game when Jonathan Smith pounced to put the home side in front after a flowing move.

Mid-way through the half it was 2-0 when the outstanding Mark Lowe took a quick free kick to Cricky Conn who finished superbly to double the Glens' advantage.

The Glens moved the ball around well at times but failed to find a further break through before the break.  Half time Glentoran U20 2-0 Cliftonville U20

The Glens almost added a third a minute into the second half when Conn wriggled free to find O’Neill whose shot was well saved and after that chances were at a premium as the reds forced a series or corners but never really troubled McLaughlin in the Glentoran goal.

The Glens managed the game well and restricted the reds to half chances and looked to capitalise on the break. Conn and Lowe went close to adding to the advantage before Smith saw a dipping long ranger drift just wide.

Ten minutes from time Paul O’Neill secured the points for the Glens as he raced in behind the reds defence to finish coolly after a fine ball from Lowe.   Final score Glentoran U20 3-0 Cliftonville U20

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Podraig Hughes (c) 5. Tre Sterling 6. Mark Lowe 7. Conall Delaney 8. Jack Henderson 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Jonathan Smith 11. Christopher Conn

Subs: Darryl McKenna (Henderson 60) Sean Wallace ( Conn 70) Dan Smith (Glover 75)

Not used: Kai Wardlow Nathan Best

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Glentoran U20 3-3 Crusaders U20

  Wednesday 6 December 2017

      

Glentoran went behind after just five minutes of this Belfast derby when Crusaders played right through the middle of the park to set their striker one v one with Paul McLaughlin in the Glentoran goal.

This seemed to spur the Glens into action however and Glentoran proceeded to dominate the following 40 minutes until half time.

In that 40 minute spell the Glens found the net twice through Sean Wallace and Willie Garrett with his second goal in as many games. But the Glens couldn’t make their superiority tell further and had to settle for a half time 2-1 lead.  Half Time: Glentoran U20 2-1 Crusaders U20

The second half started in much the same vein but the Glens failed to add that killer third goal at a time when it would have seen off Crusaders and instead the Crues found a way back into the game when Glentoran gave away a cheap penalty.

Paul McLaughlin made a terrific save from the spot kick but the referee ordered it to be re-taken, much to the bewilderment of all in attendance and this time the Crues player buried it into the other corner for 2-2.

The Glens reacted well and went back in front inside ten minutes through Podraig Hughes but instead of building on their dominant first half display and extending the lead, Glentoran stuttered again and allowed Crusaders a foothold in the game eventually leading to them forcing an equaliser in the 88th minute of what was an entertaining encounter.  Full Time: Glentoran U20 3-3 Crusaders U20

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Kai Wardlow 4. William Garrett (1) 5. Podraig Hughes (1) 6. Mark Lowe 7. Conall Delaney 8. Tre Sterling 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Jonathan Smith 11. Sean Wallace (1)

Subs: Darryl McKenna (J. Smith 45) Steven Gordon (Lowe 45) Jack Henderson (O’Neill 70)

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Ards U20 3-2 Glentoran U20

  Wednesday 29 November 2017

   



Glentoran U20 lost 3-2 in North Down this evening in an entertaining, end to end affair at Londonderry Park.

Ards took an early lead when a counter attack down the left led to a cross into the middle for Ards advancing full back to finish low into Paul McLaughlin’s goal.

The Glens weathered the early storm from Ards and had Paul McLaughlin to thank for keeping it 1-0 with a couple of fine saves but steadily the Glens grew into the game and levelled after a piece of magic on the left from Conn found the head of Paul O’Neill who powered home.
Half time Ards 1-1Glentoran

Glentoran started the second half on top playing some lovely football with Eddie Shaw impressing in the middle after replacing the injured Darryl McKenna. It didn’t take long for the Glens to make their superiority tell by taking a 2-1 lead and it came from the boot of the returning Willie Garrett who slammed a 25 yard free kick into the Ards goal.

Glentoran continued to press and play some nice football but as frustration grew at the lack of real goal scoring chances created the Glens began to give the ball away cheaply and Ards came back strongly into the game as their impressive young side hit their stride again in the second half.

A delivery from the right was met with a free header to make it 2-2 midway through the half and Ards were looking the stronger team at this stage and capitalised again to re-take the lead when Paul McLaughlin made a brilliant save but Ards reacted quickest to pounce on the loose ball to finish for 3-2

The Glens took the initiative again in the game but couldn’t find a way through the Ards rearguard for a third time having left themselves too much to do to salvage a point Full time Ards 3-2 Glentoran

Team:

1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Kai Wardlow 4. William Garrett (1) 5. James McCarthy 6. Mark Lowe 7. Darryl McKenna 8. Jack Henderson 9. Nathan Best 10. Paul O’Neill (1) 11. Christopher Conn

Subs: Eddie Shaw (McKenna 45) Craig Baird for Wardlow (65) Podraig Hughes for Garrett (75)

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Glentoran U20 8-1 Dunmurry Young Men

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Glentoran U20 took advantage of a break in league games to arrange a home friendly in order to give game time to a number of u18 players, and also provide much needed game time to some first team panelists including Willie Garrett who is stepping up his return from long term injury. U20 regulars Mark Lowe, Darryl McKenna, Podraig Hughes, and Paul O'Neill all missed the game through injury while Christopher Conn was sick. That in turns gave an opportunity for some younger players to step up and they clearly rose to the challenge.

We are very grateful to Dunmurry Young Men who agreed to take the fixture at short notice and the Amateur League 1B side acquitted themselves well in the opening half but it was the Glens who took the lead through Steven Gordon with a smart finish. Gordon added to his tally and doubled the Glens advantage mid-way through the half before Dunmurry got themselves on the score sheet to half the deficit. Stevie completed his second hat-trick of the season at this level just before the break to give the Glens a 3-1 half time advantage.

Glentoran made 5 changes at half time and made a flying start to the second half when Eamon McLaughlin found Jonathan Smith on 47 to make it 4-1 before Conall Delaney struck with a fine solo effort for 5-1 on 55 minutes to really kill the game off. The Wee Glens' superior fitness told as the game wore on and young Eoin Rooney making his first u20 appearance hammered home the advantage scoring a 6th from 18 yards before Nathan Best added a 7th. Young striker Rooney rounded off a great debut with his second and Glentoran’s 8th of the night to complete the scoring in a very worthwhile exercise for the Glens

We thank Dunmurry YM for the game and wish them all the best for the remainder of the season

1. Ryan Scutt 2. Craig Baird 3. Jamie Craig 4. Mal Smith 5. William Garrett 6. Eoghan McCawl 7. Nathan Best (1) 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Jonathan Smith (1) 10. Steven Gordon (3) 11. Conall Delaney (1)

Subs: Paul McLaughlin (Scutt 45) Jack Henderson (Shaw 45) Eamon McLaughlin (Gordon 45) Pablo Andrade (Best 45) Sean Wallace (Baird 45) Kai Wardlow (Craig 60) Eoin Rooney 92) (Smith 60)

* Baird and Best returned to the action mid-way through the half for Garret and Delaney respectively

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Glenavon U20 1-2 Glentoran U20

Friday 11 November 2017.

 

Glentoran remain top of the U20 NIFL Premiership Development League this evening, following a 2-1 win over a strong Glenavon side at Mourneview Park.

Glenavon threatened in the early stages with experienced senior players Mark Patton and Andrew McGrory causing problems down both flanks. However it was the Glens who took the lead when Jack Henderson found Padraig Hughes who slipped the ball into Christopher Conn to beat the keeper from 15 yards for 1-0.

Glenavon continued to threaten with their two strikers both going close before Patton forced a fine double save from Paul McLaughlin in the Glens goal. Willie Garrett continued his return from injury with a commanding display in the heart of defence and made a terrific goal line clearance before Jordan Jenkins eventually equalised for Glenavon.  Half time Glenavon 1-1 Glentoran


Glentoran started the second half strongly and went close through Jack Henderson whose effort was well gathered by the Glenavon number one before a Darryl McKenna shot warmed the keeper’s hands. The Wee Glens did force a second opening and scored what proved to be the winner when Padraig Hughes peeled off to the back post from a cross and sent the ball back across goal for half time substitute Nathan Best to volley into the net.

From there Glentoran lost James McCarthy and Mark Lowe to injuries which meant reshuffling the team. For a spell, Glenavon capitalised on the uncertainty by pressing Glentoran back and creating more opportunities. The Glens fell into a defensive game in the latter stages but defended fairly solidly and had an inspired Paul McLaughlin in goals to keep Glenavon at bay and cling on to a 2-1 victory. Full time Glenavon 1-2 Glentoran


Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Craig Baird 3. Kai Wardlow 4. William Garrett 5. James McCarthy 6. Jack Henderson 7. Darryl McKenna 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Padraig Hughes 10. Mark Lowe 11. Christopher Conn (1)
Subs: Nathan Best (1) (Garrett 45) Sean Wallace (McCarthy 60) Jamie Glover (Lowe 70)

 

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Ballymena United U20 3-3 Glentoran U20

Wednesday 8 November 2017.

            

Glentoran travelled to Ballymena on Wednesday evening seeking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four games.

It proved to be an entertaining and eventful encounter against a strong Ballymena side fielding our former first team captain Stephen alongside other experienced first team players Matthew Shevlin, Emmett Friars, Conor Brennan and Tony Kane.  Willie Garrett continued his comeback after two years out of action.

The Wee Glens flew out of the blocks and into a one goal lead after just 15 seconds when Eddie Shaw found Christopher Conn from kick off. Conn cut inside passed two defenders and squared to Jonathan Smith who finished coolly into the bottom corner.

Glentoran oozed class in the opening exchanges and looked likely to score again as Conn, Smith and Kym Nelson proved a handful but it was Ballymena who scored next when they found Shevlin on the counter attack with a defence splitting pass that he raced onto and slotted beyond Matthew Anderson in the Glentoran goal.

The Glens then lost their rhythm as Ballymena took control with Tony Kane influential during a dominant 20 minute spell where they grabbed their second goal.

The Glens rallied and improved but in truth huffed and puffed until half time.  Half time: Ballymena United 2-1 Glentoran.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first with Ballymena on top until the Glens changed shape and pushed Padraig Hughes up front to give a focal point to the attack. That helped the Glens re-establish themselves in the game but Ballymena then grabbed a third on a counter attack after a defensive wobble and the game looked over at 3-1.

Jack Henderson entered the fray and added some much needed composure in the middle of the park and coupled with Eddie Shaw’s growing influence on the game the Glens took control of possession again for the last 20 minutes in which they forced a second goal - this one from the penalty spot from Smith for his second before equalising after a smart turn and finish from Hughes.

The Glens pressed for the final 8 minutes in search of a winner but despite forcing a series of corners and some further creative trickery from Conn the killer breakthrough didn’t arrive and an enthralling encounter finished 3-3. Full time: Ballymena United 3-3 Glentoran.

Team: 1. Matthew Anderson 2. Mal Smith 3. James McCarthy 4. Padraig Hughes (1) 5. William Garrett 6. Mark Lowe 7. Christopher Conn 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Jonathan Smith (2) 10. Darryl McKenna 11. Kym Nelson

Subs: Kai Wardlow (Garrett 45) Nathan Best (McKenna 60) Jack Henderson (M. Smith 67)

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Glentoran U20 2-2 Coleraine U20

Saturday 21 October 2017.

    

 

Glentoran were held to a 2-2 draw today at the Oval against Coleraine and will be disappointed to not come away with all three points having led twice.

The Wee Glens were dealt a blow before kick off when Paul O’Neill pulled up with a calf strain in the warm up leading to a reshuffle of the pack with Alex Lalor moving to centre forward and Jamie Glover coming in on the left.

The Glens didnt let that put them off however and stormed into an early lead when skipper James McCarthy volleyed home a Mark Lowe corner.

We came agonisingly close to doubling the lead through Lalor and then Kai Wardlow before Sean Wallace was denied by Coleraine’s keeper.

The Glens then sat off and allowed Coleraine to grow into the game and paid the price when they scored a well worked equaliser after half an hour. Full Time: Glentoran 1-1 Coleraine

Nathan Best was introduced at half time for Glentoran and had a big impact down the right as he took on the Coleraine full back at every opportunity. Glentoran turned in a markedly improved second half performance in which we dominated possession and re-established our lead through Mark Lowe with a crisp strike from 20 yards after a good set back by Alex Lalor.

The Glens continued to knock on the door but Coleraine stood firm and grabbed an equaliser 15 minutes from the end when David Kee peeled off at the back post to knock a ball back across goal into a crowded goal mouth where it was turned in for 2-2 Full Time: Glentoran 2-2 Coleraine

Finally a word of congratulation must go to Barry Baggley who at the age of just 15 made his u20 debut today - well done Barry! 

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Craig Baird 3. Kai Wardlow 4. Padraig Hughes 5. James McCarthy 6. Mark Lowe 7. Sean Wallace 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Alex Lalor 10. Darryl McKenna 11. Jamie Glover

Subs: Nathan Best (Glover 45) Barry Baggley (Lowe 65) Mal Smith (for McKenna 70)

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Glentoran U20 6-0 Dungannon Swifts U20

Wednesday 25  October 2017.

            

     left to right:  Paul O'Neill, Jonathan Smith, Conall Delaney

Glentoran U20s bounced back from their disappointing Intermediate Cup exit at the weekend with a dominant home display against Dungannon.

The Glens set the tone for the evening by going in front inside ten minutes through a neat finish from Paul O’Neill after Conall Delaney cut in from the right past two defenders to put the ball on a plate for Paul.

Mark Lowe picked out Conall with a fantastic cross field pass and it was the same route that lead to the second when Mark took a quick free kick to pick out Conall again.

Delaney weaved his way inside again before picking out O’Neill for his second.

O’Neill completed his hat-trick inside the half hour marked when he raced onto an Eddie Shaw pass to slam past the keeper from 15 yards.

The Glens created other good chances through Lalor, Smith and Gordon as they continued to dominate proceedings but failed to add to the score line before the break Half time: Glentoran 3-0 Dungannon Swifts

Glentoran kept on the offensive in the second half and didn’t have to wait long for number four as O’Neill added to his tally after more good work from Smith and Delaney

Mid way through the half Delaney got in on the action after an excellent team move Conall drove into the box and finished smartly giving the Dungannon keeper no chance.

A fine solo effort from Jonathan Smith rounded off the evening after he picked the ball up 35 yards from goal and drove past three defenders before firing into the roof of the net for 6-0.

A comprehensive result to match a terrific performance from the 20s. Full time: Glentoran 6-0 Dungannon Swifts

Glentoran U20:  1 Ryan Scutt 2 Tre Sterling 3 Kai Wardlow 4 James Ferrin 5 Mark Lowe 6 Eddie Shaw 7 Steven Gordon 8 Conall Delaney 9 Jonathan Smith 10 Alex Lalor 11 Paul O’Neill

Subs: Craig Baird (Ferrin 45) Darryl McKenna (Gordon 45) James McCarthy (Lalor 65)

Glentoran Scorers: O'Neill (4), Smith, Delaney

 

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Bloomfield 2-1 Glentoran U20 (AET)

Saturday 21 October 2017.

                                                                                         

Glentoran crashed out of the Intermediate Cup on Saturday after a 2-1 defeat to Bloomfield at Orangefield Park.

The Glens dominated possession throughout but failed to master the conditions on a sticky pitch and couldn’t find their way past an inspired Bloomfield keeper more than once and paid the ultimate price.

Bloomfield took the lead on 20 minutes when a set piece was delivered into the box and met with a looping header which landed into the far side of Paul McLaughlin’s goal. Despite pressing for the remainder of the first half the Glens couldn’t find a way through, missing several good chances. Half time: 1-0 Bloomfield 1-0 Glentoran.

Glentoran finally made a break through 10 minutes into the second half when a pinpoint cross field pass from Tre Sterling was brought down in the box and squared by Paul O’Neill to Alex Lalor for a comfortable finish. Bloomfield refused to cave in however and their keeper remained equal to anything Glentoran could throw at him and he made a string of fine saves to take the game to extra time. Paul O’Neill had a goal ruled out for a dubious offside just before the 90 and so extra time beckoned.  Full time: Bloomfield 1-1 Glentoran U20


In extra time the Glens continued to press to no avail and with five minutes to go came the decisive moment when Padraig Hughes was up ended in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. The usually reliable O’Neill took the responsibility and stepped up, he struck it well but again their keeper made a terrific save. The ball came back out and was cleared over the half way line at which point Bloomfield’s striker raced through and scored from 18 yards for 2-1. Soon after the Glens had another goal disallowed for offside and it was clear it was not going to be our day.

Team: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. James McCarthy 4. William Garrett 5. Padraig Hughes 6. Tre Sterling 7. Mark Lowe 8. Eddie Shaw 9. Darryl McKenna10. Alex Lalor 11. Paul O’Neill Subs: Jamie Glover (Garrett) Jack Henderson (Lowe) Sean Duffy (Shaw)

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Cliftonville U20 0-3 Glentoran U20

Saturday 14 October 2017.

An excellent performance from start to finish as a very young Glens side ran out comfortable winners over an older, more experienced Reds fielding four over 20s including experienced first team players Chris Ramsey and Ciaran Caldwell.

Goals from Christopher Conn (2) and Alex Lalor.

Glentoran U20: 1. Paul McLaughlin 2. Mal Smith 3. Jamie Glover 4. Padraig Hughes 5. James McCarthy (c) 6. Mark Lowe 7. Alex Lalor 8. Sean Wallace 9. Paul O’Neill 10. Christopher Conn 11. Darryl McKenna

Subs: Craig Baird for Smith, Ben Cushnie for Lalor, Sean Og Gallagher for Lowe