GLENAVON V COLERAINE, A LOOK AHEAD 6g533d

On Saturday 11TH January 2025 Glenavon faces Coleraine at Mourneview Park in the Sports Direct Premiership. 2z1f5b

In late November 2024 Glenavon drew 3-3 with the Bannsiders at Mourneview Park. Paddy McLaughlin’s men twice clawed back a two-goal deficit to collect a thoroughly deserved point.

“Coleraine is a top side with lots of high quality players,” said Blues’ assistant boss Colin Coates. “Matthew Shevlin is arguably the best marksman in the league and there is also Jamie McGonigle and Jamie Glackin. They have threats in nearly every attacking position. It is going to be a tough game.”

Last time Dean Shiels’ side, inspired by Glackin, raced into a 2-0 lead. “He is really dangerous player,” Colin continued. “He finds pockets of space and can pose problems with either a through ball or a shot. This week we have talked about him and some others. Our lads need to be switched on for the entire 95 plus minutes.”

But Glenavon has conceded just a handful of goals in its last four league fixtures and has stopped the opposition scoring in the last two. “The lads have been superb since Paddy, Marty and I arrived,” added Coates. “They have listened to what we have told them and applied it well in game situations. The clean sheets have given us a great platform to go and win matches. David Toure and Len O’Sullivan have been excellent in the full back positions and Niall [Quinn] and Barney [McKeown] have complemented each other in the middle. But defending is not just about defenders. It is an 11-man activity. Our lads have worked their socks off from Michael O’Connor and Davy McDaid back to the goalkeeper.”

The 2-0 victory at the Ballymena Showgrounds on 30th December 2024 has moved Glenavon further away from the bottom two in the Sports Direct Premiership table. Coates was delighted with the players’ level of application. “It was a gritty performance,” he continued. “The pitch was very difficult, not everything went for us in the first half and Ballymena were dogged themselves. There weren’t many chances, but after we took the lead, we were very composed and finished the match strongly. Perhaps we didn’t show the attacking flair we did against Crusaders. But there is more than one way to win a football match. We were resolute, very committed and well organised and it got us three points.”

Unfortunately, ahead of the clash with Coleraine, there are injury concerns about several players. “We have a few niggles,” he said. “Nothing serious but, in some cases, enough to perhaps keep one or two lads out. Mark Haughey and Calum Birney are doubtful. We are assessing Rhys Marshall and Jack Malone has a minor foot problem.” Nonetheless, Colin was able to report encouraging news about Chris Atherton and Isaac Baird. “Chris has trained all week and is available again. He has been excellent for us,” added the former Northern Ireland international defender. “Isaac Baird played the first 30 minutes of the Under-20s fixture against Linfield on Monday night and then came off by arrangement. He has taken a full part in training for the last month or more and is getting sharper. When he is match fit again, he will really strengthen us.”

The Coleraine fixture is sponsored by Mr. Tim Dillon.

The ball sponsor is Mr. Gordon Gough.

The McCracken’s Brewery “Player of the Match” sponsors are Mr. Barry Craig and Ms. Ethna Ferran.

Many thanks to all our sponsors.

Note that there may be a pitch inspection on Saturday morning.

In August 2024 Glenavon defeated Coleraine 2-0 at the Showgrounds.

Glenavon v Coleraine, Last Season
Date Result
07/10/23 Coleraine 4 Glenavon 1
02/12/23 Glenavon 1 Coleraine 1
05/12/23 Coleraine 2 Glenavon 3
27/01/24 Coleraine 1 Glenavon 0

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free ission to all games)

  • Monday 13th January 2025 – Portadown Reserves v Glenavon Reserves, Shamrock Park, 1945 k.o.
  • Saturday 11th January 2025 – Larne U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Youth Cup Quarter-final, Inver Park, 1330 k.o.
  • Saturday 11th January 2025 – Portadown U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Brownstown Park 3G, 1115 k.o.