Glenavon went in front after Declan O’Brien was fouled in the box by Stephen McCabe. Andy McGrory stepped up and while the initial shot was saved, he was unable to prevent the follow-up finding the net.

On 18 minutes it was 2-0 as Guy Bates hit a sweet, sidefooted effort from the edge of the box which lifted up and curled over the retreating goalkeeper’s head.

Paddy McCourt scored his first goal for Glenavon just after the hour mark with a fine goal. The ball came across to the winger from the right wing, the former Celtic man creating space for himself by jinking to the right before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.

The scoring was wrapped up 14 minutes from time. Substitute Jordan Jenkins burst down the right wing and cross was turned in by the unfortunate Neil Mullen.

Newry City: Murphy, McCaul, King, Mullen, Currab, McMahon, Walker, McCann, Carville, M. McCabe, S. McCabe. Subs: McMullan (McCaul 84), Johnston, Havern (S McCabe 65), Patton (McCann 75), Smith.

Glenavon: Taylor, McGrory, Neill, Marron, Elebert, Martyn, McCourt, Singleton, O’Brien, Bates, Burns. Subs: Jenkins (O’Brien 65), Young (Neill 27), McIlmail, Norton (Singleton 65), Marshall.

Referee: Raymond Hetherington (Dungannon)