GLENAVON V DUNDELA, A LOOK AHEAD 4y2l1g

On Saturday Glenavon faces Dundela in the 5th round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup. o6u4x

Dundela is presently third in the Playr-Fit Championship with 12 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats from 22 matches. On Tuesday it defeated Ards 3-1 at Clandeboye Park. The club is managed by former player, Stephen Gourley.Duns’ striker Michael McLellan is the top scorer in the division with 21 goals.

Paddy McLaughlin reckons that the Cup is a welcome distraction from the pressures of the Irish Premiership. “It is something different,” he said. “Hopefully, the players can relax and enjoy it. It is a competition which every club wants to win. We will certainly try to stay in it for as long as possible. We can’t win the League this season, but there is no reason why we should not do well in the Cup.”

McLaughlin is delighted with the progress which Glenavon has made since his appointment. “We are playing well, not conceding and scoring goals,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for much more than the boys are giving me. Confidence is high. Everyone seems to be enjoying their football. But we want to keep it going.”

He was pleased with Monday’s night’s 2-0 win at Ballymena. “It was a great performance and a very good result,” he continued. “There was total commitment all over the pitch. No one let us down. Fitness levels were excellent. It shows what we are capable of.”

McLaughlin expects Dundela to be a tough opponent. “There are some good teams and lots of good players in the Championship,” he added. “The Duns are in the mix at the top of the table. They won’t be a pushover. We will need to be at our best to make it into the hat for the next round.”

He appealed for ers to turn out in force. “The fans have been excellent since I arrived,” he said. “They have come to games in numbers, both home and away,and got behind the players. We really appreciate the backing they have given us.”

Jack Malone is back after suspension. New gs Sean Carlin and Tadhg Ryan are both available. Unfortunately, Mark Haughey and Calum Birney are both still recovering from injuries. Chris Atherton who picked up a knock on Boxing Day is also unlikely to play. “Chris should be back soon,” said Paddy. “He is an important player for us. We don’t want to rush him.”

The match against Dundela is sponsored by Glenavon’s er Luke Foster.

The matchball sponsor is Combat Stress, a mental health charity which s veterans.

The McCracken’s Brewery “Player of the Match” sponsor is Jayden Smith in memory of his grandfather, Danny McArdle. Danny, who sadly died during the Covid19 pandemic, was a lifelong Glenavon er.

There will be a collection by the Ancre Somme Association in aid of the Northern Ireland Purple Poppy Memorial Fund. Please give generously.

Season tickets are not eligible.

The tie will be played to a finish with extra-time and penalties if needed.

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free ission to all games)

  • Monday 6th January 2025 – Glenavon Reserves v Linfield Swifts, Mourneview Park, 1945 k.o.
  • Friday 3rd January 2025 – Glenavon U-18s v Carrick Rangers U-18s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 2000 k.o.
  • Saturday 4th January 2025 – Carrick Rangers U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Woodburn Playing Fields, 1100 k.o.
  • Saturday 4th January 2025 – Coleraine U-15s v Glenavon U-15s, Rugby Avenue 3G, 1230 k.o.