COLERAINE V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD 66u6b

On Saturday 24th August 2024 Glenavon faces Coleraine at the Showgrounds, Ballycastle Road. 2246a

Coleraine has won one and drawn two of its opening three Sports Direct Premiership fixtures – versus Dungannon Swifts (1-1), Ballymena United (4-2) and Glentoran (0-0). Dean Shiels, who has succeeded Oran Kearney as manager, has brought in some new players including Rhyss Campbell (ex-Dungannon Swifts), Dylan Boyle (ex-Ballymena United), Max Little (ex-Dunfermline Athletic), Kirk McLaughlin (ex-Glentoran) and Cameron Stewart (ex-Ipswich Town). Josh Carson (Ballymena United), Lee Harkin (Moyola Park), Aaron Jarvis (Ballymena United), David McDaid (Glenavon), Conor McDermott (Loughgall) and Conor McKendry (Larne) have moved on.

Glenavon is still searching for its first point of the 2024-25 campaign, albeit that all its fixtures so far have been against clubs which finished in the top seven last time out. “It has been frustrating,” itted Stephen McDonnell. “We have performed well, in patches, in all three games. However, we have been undone by individual defensive mistakes. That was the story against both Cliftonville and Linfield. It is something we need to address.”

Stephen reckons that his recruitment this summer has strengthened the squad. “We feel that this Transfer Window has been as good as it could have been, all things considered,” he continued. “We have signed some top quality players. We are getting closer to where we need to be but until we start getting results that isn’t going to mean a lot. There have been positive signs. The challenge which we have set the players is to put together a consistent 90 minutes and cut out the bad mistakes. When we stop conceding silly goals, I am convinced that we have enough ability to win matches.”

McDonnell is optimistic about his side’s prospects this weekend. “We acquitted ourselves well on our last two visits to the Showgrounds,” he added. “We won 3-2 in the Bet McLean League Cup and were beaten 1-0 six or seven weeks later on an afternoon when we played well and could easily have won again. I accept that Coleraine have made a lot of changes since then, but we still go there in a positive frame of mind.”

Except for Isaac Baird, Calum Birney and Jack Malone, the Glenavon boss reports a clean bill of health. “Everyone that could be fit is fit,” he said. “The only question is whether we ask Mark Haughey to play on asynthetic surface as he continues to recover from his long-term injury.” He added that Calum Birney has done some running this week and Jack Malone may not be out for an extended period. “We don’t know yet with Jack, but we are hopeful that he might be able to return sooner than expected.”

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