With both sides having lost their opening day fixtures before bouncing back to win last weekend, Glenavon travel for the season’s first visit to the Newry Showgrounds in a positive mood having bagged all three points at Warrenpoint last Saturday but Gary Hamilton knows that he won’t have it easy against the newly promoted side. “It’s another tough game, a tough place to go and they had a great result last Friday night against Dungannon. We know it’s not going to be easy – no game in this league is easy. If you’re not on your game and you’re not mentally right and you don’t have the right work rate and attitude then any team can turn you over.

“We do our homework on every team and I’ve been impressed with the lad (Declan) Carville in midfield and Stephen Hughes has been about for a long time now. He’s getting on a bit but he can still play and he’s still an intelligent footballer.”

Stephen Hughes celebrates scoring for Newry in the play-off against Carrick Rangers
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Freddie Parkinson

“They’re a good side and Darren Mullan has done an incredible job, it’s a great achievement and he’s somebody who I respect.”

“Hopefully we’ll take a lot of confidence from our first two performances, even though the result didn’t go our way in the first one, and we can go to Newry, put in another good performance and come away with a result.”

Steo Donnelly celebrates after scoring his first Glenavon goal. Photo by Maynard Collins

Reminder

Please take note of the updated advice regarding tomorrow night’s game – click here.

Head to Head

Obviously, with the old Newry City having been re-born as Newry City AFC and securing their fourth promotion in five seasons, the head to head stats may not be too relevant but, here are the last ten results between the sides (all competitions).

Glenavon: P10, W7 D0 L3 F22 A9

Glenavon beat Newry City 3-1 in last season’s Mid-Ulster Cup Final

Last Time Out

Feb 06/2018: Mid Ulster Cup Final Newry City 1-3 Glenavon

Match Officials