GLENAVON v CARRICK RANGERS: A LOOK AHEAD
After a tumultuous week Glenavon continues its Sports Direct Premiership programme against Carrick Rangers at Mourneview Park on Saturday. Reserves’ manager Gary McAlister, coach Chris Chambers and Mark Haughey will take charge of the team. They will be assisted by Paul McCrum.
“It has been a difficult few days for everyone but I was pleased with the players’ attitude and level of application,” reported Gary after Thursday night’s training session. “They are professionals and know that they have a job to do. The club needs a result against Carrick. From what I saw tonight, they are ready to give their best and hopefully perform well.”
McAlister has been part of the coaching set-up at Mourneview Park since 2019. He has served as under-16s and under-18s boss. He was also Academy Director and Head of Youth Development. Saturday will be his biggest challenge to date.
“It has happened so quickly and there has been so much to do that I have not really had time to think too deeply about things,” he explained. “Obviously, it is far from an ideal situation, but it is what it is. Chris, Mark and I have been asked to do a job and we’ll do it to the best of our ability.”
McAlister, who ironically lives in Greenisland, not far from Carrickfergus, is Head of Operations for a local bank. He is used to working under pressure. “It will be different from a Glenavon Reserves’ fixture. There is no doubt about that. But the fundamentals don’t change. We want the lads to work hard, play well and, at the end of the afternoon, get a positive result.”
Gary is under no illusions about the size of the threat which Carrick will pose. “We have seen some footage of their games this season. They have pace up front and can score goals. They also defend resolutely. But we have confidence in our squad. Chris, Mark and I will be giving the lads a positive message. This is our home match. We want to make Mourneview a hard place for away clubs to come to. If we apply ourselves there is no reason why we can’t do well.”
Unfortunately, both Calum Birney and Conor McCloskey will be unavailable due to injury. Jamie McDonagh is suspended.
Match Sponsors
Match: Allen Gamble Windows & Spirit of 2014 Glenavon Supporters Club
Ball: Carla Lockhart
MoM: Blues Brothers
| Glenavon v Carrick Rangers, Last Season | |
| Date | Result |
| 03/09/22 | Glenavon 2 Carrick Rangers 2 |
| 22/10/22 | Glenavon 4 Carrick Rangers 2 |
| 28/01/23 | Carrick Rangers 1 Glenavon 1 |
| 22/04/23 | Carrick Rangers 1 Glenavon 3 |
Other Glenavon teams in action this weekend:
(Free Admission to all games)
- Monday 18th September 2023 – Glenavon Reserves v Dungannon Swifts’ Seconds, Mourneview Park, 1945 k.o.
- Friday 15th September 2023 – Cliftonville U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Solitude, 2000 k.o.
- Saturday 16th September 2023 – Glenavon U-16s v Cliftonville U-16s, Gordon Playing Fields, 1100 k.o.
- Saturday 16th September 2023 – Linfield U-15s v Glenavon U-15s, Midgley Park, Belfast, 0930 k.o.
- Saturday 16th September 2023 – Glenavon U-14s v Glentoran U-14s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 1115 k.o.
- Saturday 16th September 2023 – Glenavon U-13s v Warrenpoint Town U-13s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 0930 k.o.
