CLIFTONVILLE v GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD 6s2k1k

On Saturday 1st February 2025 Glenavon faces Cliftonville at Solitude in a Clearer Water Irish Cup sixth round tie. The match will be played to a finish, with extra-time and penalties if necessary. 6j2z16

In May 2024 Cliftonville lifted the Cup for the first time since 1979 after an exciting 3-1 victory against Linfield. The North Belfast men had beaten Larne 2-0 in the semi-final. “They achieved something very special by winning the trophy after a gap of over four decades,” said Glenavon boss Paddy McLaughlin. “No one at Solitude will want to give up the trophy.”

Since Christmas the Reds have struggled to find any consistency. Nevertheless, Paddy does not accept that this means that the trip to North Belfast will be less challenging. “I have watched a number of their games,” he continued. “They have not got the results their performances deserved. They are a quality side full of top class players. We will have to be at our very best if we are to win the tie.”

The Glenavon manager expects a high quality encounter. “We are a good side and are playing with a lot of confidence,” he added. “But they are very strong too and have an excellent home record. It has the makings of a very attractive tie.”

McLaughlin accepts that his team did not play with the fluency which it has shown recently in last weekend’s 2-1 success against Carrick Rangers. “It isn’t possible to play pretty football every week,” he said. “There are times when you need to roll your sleeves up and grind it out. The only disappointment from my point of view is the fact that we conceded in the 90th minute. Up to that point we defended Carrick’s long balls into our box exceptionally well. We showed that we are capable of adapting and playing in a different way in order to win a match. It was, in the end, an excellent result.”

Paddy is delighted with the acquisition of centre-half Harry Murphy from Glentoran and winger Aaron Heaney from Derry City, both on short-term loans. “Harry is a strong, well built defender who knows the league well and Aaron is a two-footed, tricky wide man full of energy and skill. They are both young and up-and-coming. That fits the profile we were looking for.”

He is also pleased that Mark Byrne, Peter Campbell, Jack Malone and Michael O’Connor have extended their existing contracts. “This is the most important business we have done this month,” he said. “We are trying to build something long-term. To do that you need to know that the core of the team will be here for at least the next few seasons. Credit is due to the lads for having the confidence in what we are doing to decide to stay and to the Board for backing my judgement and that of the other coaches.”

Paddy appealed to Glenavon ers to get behind the team at Solitude. “The Cliftonville crowd can be intimidating,” he added. “Our lads need to hear from the fans. They have been excellent since Colin, Marty and I arrived but it is on days like this when they can make a big difference.”

Harry Murphy should be available. McLoughlin hopes that Aaron Heaney will also be cleared to play. Apart from long-term absentees Calum Birney and Mark Haughey, the rest of the squad is fit. “Everyone has trained ell this week,” he added. “The lads are looking forward to the big game and hoping to keep our good run of results going.”

Glenavon lost 2-1 to Cliftonville at Mourneview Park in August but drew 0-0 at Solitude in October.

Glenavon v Cliftonville, Last Season
Date Result
12/08/23 Cliftonville 3 Glenavon 0
13/10/23 Glenavon 0 Cliftonville 1
17/02/24 Cliftonville 4 Glenavon 2

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free ission)

  • Friday 31st January 2025 – Larne U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Inver Park, 2000 k.o.
  • Saturday 1st February 2025 – Larne U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Inver Park, 1030 k.o.
  • Saturday 1st February 2025 – Ballinamallard United U-15s v Glenavon U-15s, Lakeland Forum 4G, Enniskillen, 1145 k.o.