GLENAVON V COLERAINE, A LOOK AHEAD f4a4q

On Saturday 30th November 2024 Glenavon faces Coleraine at Mourneview Park in the Sports Direct Premiership. 2136j

Last Saturday the Lurgan men lost 1-0 to Portadown at Shamrock Park. The turning point of the match was referee Ian McNabb’s decision to rule out James Carroll’s late “equaliser” for offside. Paddy McLaughlin has revealed that the assistant referee, who raised his flag, subsequently conceded that he may have got the decision wrong and apologised.

“I appreciate the honesty of the assistant for conceding that he might have been mistaken,” said Paddy. “He is human like the rest of us. Obviously, it was a pivotal moment. If the goal had stood, we might have gone on to win the match.”

Paddy was pleased with the players’ application. “We showed a high level of intensity, kept the ball well and, for the most part. ed it accurately. We also created a number of good opportunities. If Aaron McCarey had not performed so well, we could easily have been ahead before the controversy at the end.”

McLaughlin reckons that the players’ performance at Shamrock Park augurs well for the next few weeks. “We were very good for long periods,” he continued. “That should give the lads a lot of confidence. We have some tough matches over the next month. A display like that one suggests that we are capable of turning things around.”

Last weekend Glenavon’s next opponent, Coleraine, lost 2-1 to Crusaders at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds. Nonetheless, Paddy expects Saturday’s fixture to be difficult. “Dean Shiels has a very talented squad,” he said. “They will be eager to get back to winning ways. He likes his teams to play good football and it through the thirds. Dean has so much talent at his disposal. On their day, they are capable of beating any team in the Premiership.  We will have to be at our very best if we are to get the result we want.”

This week Glenavon trained on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. “It was an excellent week,” added McLaughlin. “There was a lot of effort and commitment. I told the players after Thursday night’s session that they had raised the bar in of intensity. It was them not us. That is the type of reaction from the lads which shows real character and suggests that they are determined to turn the corner.”

On Saturday the new boss hopes that Glenavon ers will attend in numbers and get behind the team. “We need the ers to us,” he said. “That means making lots of noise and giving the players plenty of encouragement. I accept that we have a responsibility to perform well for the fans, but that works the other way too. We need everyone to pull together if we are to climb the table.”

Paddy specifically commented on the condition of the Mourneview Park playing surface. “David McClure is doing a fabulous job,” he added. “The pitch is in immaculate condition.”

McLaughlin reports virtually a fully fit squad. Only Harry Lynch, with a slight hamstring strain, and long-term absentee Isaac Baird, are unavailable.

The match against Coleraine is sponsored by a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.

The ball sponsor is The Triangle Gang.

The McCracken’s Brewery “Player of the Match” sponsors are Mr. Ian Henderson and Mr. Richard Johnson.

Many thanks to all our sponsors.

There will be a bucket collection in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Please this worthwhile charity.

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 2nd December 2024 – Glenavon Reserves v Dungannon Swifts Reserves, Mourneview Park. 1945 k.o.
  • Friday 29th November 2024 – Glenavon U-18s v Coleraine U-18s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 2000 k.o.
  • Saturday 30th November 2024 – Warrenpoint Town U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Jennings Park, Newry, 1100 k.o.
  • Friday 29th November 2024 – Linfield U-15s v Glenavon U-15s, Midgley Park, Belfast, 2015 k.o.