CLIFTONVILLE v GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD 6s2k1k

On Saturday 12th April 2025 Glenavon faces Cliftonville at Solitude. 595o2t

This will be the clubs’ fifth meeting of the season. In three previous Premiership fixtures Glenavon won one (3-1), drew one (0-0) and lost one (2-1). In February the Lurgan Blues were narrowly beaten 3-2 after extra time in a Clearer Water Irish Cup sixth round tie.

Paddy McLaughlin anticipates a challenging ninety minutes. “Cliftonville has been very consistent over the last month,” he said. “They have been winning and scoring plenty of goals. All their players want a place in the Cup Final starting eleven. It will be a big test for us.”

The Glenavon boss, though disappointed to lose last weekend’s fixture against Loughgall, felt that there were extenuating circumstances. “We changed the team and gave a number of younger lads an opportunity,” he said. “It is the first time since I was appointed that we didn’t perform. But credit, for example, to Ben Wilson and James Heaney, two 16 year olds, who played all or part of the match. Like any young players, they have improvements to make, but they still have a lot to offer.”

McLaughlin feels that his team’s lethargy against Loughgall was not completely surprising. “We have one of the youngest, if not the youngest, squad in the Premiership,” he continued. “These lads have played most of the season with the threat of relegation hanging over them. They put that issue to bed at Shamrock Park four days before the Loughgall fixture. It is probably not a surprise that there was a bit of a hangover. Although we lost 1-0, there were plenty of positives.”

Paddy reckons that Mourneview Park’s hard and bumpy playing surface did not help. “We have lots of very talented footballers who can the ball well,” he added. “That is very difficult on the pitch at present. It is, in one sense, good that we will be playing on a 4G at Solitude. I think it will help us.”

On Monday nights Glenavon has been training at Planter’s Park. “We are very grateful to Dollingstown for letting us use its 3G,” said the Blues’ boss. “It has been very useful, particularly during the last few weeks.”

Unfortunately, McLaughlin has a number of injuries to report ahead of the trip to North Belfast. “Paul McGovern, James Heaney and Kyron McGee have all rolled ankles on the pitch at Mourneview,” he explained. “Kyron was in our thoughts to play as a centre half at Solitude. It is disappointing to lose them. On a positive note, Len O’Sullivan is available again and Luke McGerrigan, another 16 year old, s the squad. He has been very impressive in training.”

 

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)

  • Monday 14th April 2025 – Ballymena United Reserves v Glenavon Reserves, Warden Street Showgrounds, 2000 k.o.
  • Friday 11th April 2025 – Glenavon U-18s v Glentoran U-18s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 2000 k.o.
  • Saturday 12th April 2025 – Glentoran U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Ashfield Boys’ High School 3G, 1100 k.o.
  • Saturday 12th April 2025 – Glentoran U-15s v Glenavon U-15s, Allen Park 3G Pitch 3, Antrim, 0930 k.o.