Andy McDonald reckons that the present Glenavon squad is the strongest, and most talented, that he has ever played in. Speaking before the big kick-off, the 5’ 11" goalkeeper confidently predicts that Tommy Kincaid’s side will achieve a mid-table finish or better in its first season back in the top flight. "I have a lot of confidence in the group of players that are at the club at the moment," Andy reflected. "There is a nice mix of youth and experience. Lads like Marty Verner, Garth Walsh, even Mark Dickson, are young, with big appetites and a real desire to do well in the game. By contrast there are older heads, the likes of Gerard McMahon and Johnny Montgomery, who have been round the houses and know what it takes to be successful at the top level. And on top of all that there is loads of natural ability in the team. All of the guys that I have mentioned can play. The lads that were with us last season demonstrated that in the two play-off ties against Crusaders in May and they’ll do it again when the Premier League begins in September. I’m convinced about that."

McDonald earned a new contract at Mourneview Park despite doubts about his temperament. The 28 year old was sent-off twice last season, most notably in the Lurgan Blues’ Mid-Ulster Cup semi-final win against Armagh City in February. On that occasion he was alleged to have pushed referee Eamon Shanks following the controversial award of a goal to Armagh and ended up sitting out six matches. "It was an impetuous action which I regretted as soon as it occurred and I still feel embarrassed about," McDonald conceded. "Fortunately, it didn’t prevent us gaining promotion. Young Stephen Carroll came into the side and did a tremendous job in my absence."

On the other hand McDonald is a keeper of unquestioned ability. He demonstrated his class with two particularly memorable stops during the Blues’ promotion push. First, he made a scarcely credible double-save from point blank range when Glenavon was leading 1-0 away to rivals Donegal Celtic in March, a 2-0 win which catapulted Kincaid’s men back into play-off contention. Then, in the first game against Crusaders at Mourneview Park, he dived full length to touch a fiercely struck shot by Liam Dunne onto the crossbar. "Those were both important moments," he reflected. "But I wouldn’t claim to deserve any more of the credit for our promotion than anyone else in the squad. It was a team effort. If we can show the same attitude next season I am sure that we’ll do extremely well."

UEFA U-19 CHAMPIONSHIPS

The UEFA U19 European Championships, being staged in Northern Ireland for the first time, had four of the games, including a semi-final, staged at Mourneview Park; more than any other stadium. The prestigious competition's first game at Mourneview, last Monday evening, saw Norway defeat Armenia 2-0 in a Group B match.

Last Wednesday evening at Mourneview Park, Germany defeated Greece 3-0 to revitalise their chances or progressing after losing the opening game 4-2 to Serbia and Montenegro. Armenia lost 0-1 to France on Saturday evening.

In an exciting semi final played on Tuesday night at Mourneview Park, England beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-1 to set up a Final encounter with France who were 3-2 victors over Germany in the other semi final, at Ballymena.

For photographs of the action from Mourneview Park, check out www.drewmcwilliams.com

Veteran winger Jim McCloskey has re-signed for Glenavon with the intention of making up for the personal disappointments of last season. A combination of family commitments and injuries restricted him to little more than a dozen first-team appearances last time. Now he wants to show the local soccer public that he still has the ability to perform at the highest level. "I feel very motivated about this campaign," said the Comber man. "The last nine months has been a difficult time due, principally, to my father’s illness. Throughout that period I was struck by the kindness and understanding shown to me by the folk at Lurgan. I really want to acknowledge that and demonstrate to everybody that I can still turn in good quality displays in the Premier League."

McCloskey reported to Mourneview Park at the beginning of July for the start of Glenavon’s build up to the new campaign. "I have trained regularly throughout May and June so I am in reasonable condition," added the PE teacher. "After my dad passed away in March I had hoped to win my place back in the team and play a part in the promotion run-in. However, I strained the back of my left knee and missed out on all of the crucial matches at the finish. That made me doubly determined to ensure that I was in good shape for the start of July."

Whilst Jim perhaps lacks some of the pace and dash that once characterised his play, he is likely to be the most experienced winger in the Premier League next season. A soccer nomad since he made his senior debut in the late 1980s, he has played for Bangor, Colchester United, Glentoran, Ballymena Utd, Lisburn Distillery and Larne. Now he aims to use some of the football ‘know-how’ gained on his travels to help Glenavon consolidate in its first year back in the top flight. "Although everyone still talks about us as being one of the top clubs in the country, we have a lot to prove," McCloskey added. "However, with players of the quality of Gerard McMahon and Mark Dickson in the squad there is a lot of potential. If we start well when the league kicks off in September, and avoid injuries and suspensions, there is no reason why we can’t finish in mid-table."