NO INSPECTION: our groundsman has confirmed that no inspection is required of the MVP pitch and the game is ON“This is the biggest Boxing Day derby for years” according to Gary Hamilton. “Form goes out the window in these games and on the day it’s all about who want’s it the most and who performs on the day. It’s great that we have a sell-out crowd and our supporters can play a big part on the day by really getting behind us and cheering the lads on. That really does lift the players,” the Glenavon box concluded.

Last year’s Boxing Day derby at Shamrock Park produced a thrilling 3-3 draw with Glenavon thrice coming from behind, Eoin Bradley scoring a late, late penalty to earn a point. Check out the highlight’s on BBC Sport NI.

Eoin Bradley celebrates after making it 1-1 in last year’s Boxing Day match. Photo by Alan Weir.

The league game at Shamrock Park earlier this season also ended in a draw with goals from Bradley and James Singleton cancelling out goals by Darren Murray and Gary Twigg to earn a 2-2 draw. (Highlights)

What does Boxing Day football mean to those involved in the biggest match day of the NI Football League season? Check out NIFL’s video preview of one of the biggest dates in the local football calendar.

Mega Draw

Don’t forget about the final Mega Draw at half time – some lucky person is going to be £20,000 richer! Tickets costing £100 can be purchased from the office or any Director before Saturday’s game.

Match Programme

We have a special bumper edition of the Glenavon match programme for Boxing Day. There’s a Q&A with ex-Portadown striker Kevin Braniff and the Belfast Telegraph’s Jim Gracey chats to Ports manager Ronnie McFall. Make sure you get your copy, price £2.

Our Sponsors

Our Match Sponsor is well-known local company Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Ltd. which is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of coleslaw, wet salads, side salads, vegetable accompaniments, soups, sauces and mayonnaise to retail and foodservice customers throughout Britain and Ireland.

The company has a team of over 380 people working in its state-of-the-art facility outside Lurgan, with all products being manufactured on the same site.

Kristopher McMullan has very kindly sponsored both the match ball and the Glenavon Man of the Match – many thanks to Kristopher!

Match Officials