Scorer of the winning goal, Andy McGrory celebrates in front of the packed Geddis Stand. Photo by Alan Weir.
A dramatic Mid-Ulster derby game at Mourneview Park had just about everything today: a fabulous home support, goalkeeping howlers, a red card and a last-minute penalty winner for ten-man Glenavon to earn the three points and secure European qualification for the second season in a row. What a wonderful season it has been for Gary Hamilton’s Lurgan Blues. Congratulations to Gary, Paul Millar, Nigel Law, Reggie Hillen and all the players for an exceptional end to the season. See you somewhere in Europe on July 2nd and 9th 😀
No changes to the Glenavon starting line-up as both teams seem to be fielding their strongest starting elevens, with Portadown’s likely to represent their Irish Cup Final team.
6 min: 1-0 Rhys Marshall slotted the ball in from close range after David Miskelly made a mess of his attempt to punch Kevin Braniff’s in-swinging corner.
Rhys Marshall (on the ground) put Glenavon in front with his 9th goal of the season. Photo by Brian Bain.
31 min: 2-0 Another horror show for Miskelly as he miss-controlled a back pass on the edge of his area and the ball ran to Eoin Bradley who walked it up to the goal before cheekily back-heeling it into the empty net.
He won’t score an easier goal than this! Eoin Bradley celebrates after making it 2-0 to Glenavon. Photo by Brian Bain.
70: Singleton sent off for an off-the ball incident with Ken Oman. Gault and Oman are cautioned. Michael Gault had Singleton by the throat but escaped with a yellow!
Photo by Alan Weir.
79: 2-1 Peter McMahon fired into the top corner from 16 yards from a long Darren Murray throw.
A wonderful midfield display by ‘young’ Andy Kilmartin earned him the Glenavon Man of the Match award. Photo by Brian Bain.
84: 2-2 The ball somehow snuck in at the back post after the Glenavon defence couldn’t clear a Casement corner with Garry Twigg’s header adjudged to have crossed the line.
90+1: 3-2 More drama at MVP as Bradley is tripped in the box by Ross Redman and Andy McGrory smashes the penalty into the bottom corner.
Eoin Bradley is brought down in the box by Ross Redman. Photo by Alan Weir.
Andy McGrory’s 200,000 euro spot kick hits the back of the net. Photo by Brian Bain.
Photo by Alan Weir.
Glenavon: McGrath, Marshall, Lindsay (c), Kelly, Singleton, McGrory, Kilmartin, Martyn, Patton, Bradley, Braniff. Subs: McKeown, Neill, Hamilton, O’Brien, Elebert
Cautions: Hamilton 25, Kilmartin 27, Martyn 51, Singleton s/o 70
Portadown: Miskelly, Casement, O’Hara (c), Oman, Redman, McMahon, Gault, Garrett, Mackle, Twigg, McAllister. Subs: Brennan (GK), Murray, Conaty, Lyttle, Ramsey.
Cautions: McAllister 25, Gault 70, Oman 70
Referee: Raymond Crangle
