Next up for Glenavon is a short trip across to Shamrock Park for Monday night’s Mid-Ulster Cup semi-final against our neighbours Portadown. This will be a rare chance to meet up with our friends on the red side of Craigavon and cast an eye over some of the up and coming young talent at the two clubs. The game has a 7:45pm kickoff and will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if required.

The other semifinal is on Tuesday December 5th and features Newry City AFC versus Banbridge Town at the Newry Showgrounds.

Simon Kelly will definitely miss out as he’s due a one game suspension starting Monday after picking up his 5th caution recently but young centre back Caolan Marron is ready to return to action following his car accident on the night of Glenavon’s quarter final win against Armagh City. Adam Foley, who was also involved in the accident, is also looking to make his return but Andy Hall could be out for up to six weeks after he was forced off with a hamstring injury after half an hour of Friday’s league game with Linfield. The full extent of his injury is yet to be assessed.

Andy Hall came off on Friday night with an ice-pack on his injured hamstring. Photo by Brian Bain.