TRIO OF GLENAVON PLAYERS IN N.I. U-16 SQUAD

TRIO OF GLENAVONPLAYERS IN N.I. U-16 SQUAD

Goalkeeper Lucas Fry, midfielder Troy Savage and striker Chris Atherton, three Glenavon Academy players, are members of the Northern Ireland U-16 squad which is spending the week in County Fermanagh for an extended period of training and team building. The teenagers will also play friendly matches against Finland (26th September 2023) and Estonia (28th September 2023).

Glenavon’s representation in the 20-man panel is significant. Only Linfield (8 players) and Glentoran (4 players) are better represented. Larne and Coleraine have one player each whilst Crusaders and Cliftonville have none.

Lucas Fry is one of several extremely talented young goalkeepers presently playing at the Academy. In July 2022 he played in the Glenavon team which defied the odds to reach the prestigious SuperCup NI Final at the Coleraine Showgrounds. During the summer he made several appearances in first team friendly matches.

Troy Savage recently turned down offers from several of the Irish Premiership’s full-time outfits to move to Lurgan. He made his senior debut in the Mid-Ulster Cup first round tie against Banbridge Town. Already a trialist with Fleetwood Town, he is expected to have further opportunities to impress with cross-channel clubs.

Chris Atherton has been with the Glenavon Academy since primary school days. In September 2022 he made his first-team debut against Dollingstown in the League Cup and so became the youngest player in the United Kingdom to play senior football. He set up the final goal in Glenavon;s 6-0 win. He subsequently spent short periods on trial with Chelsea, Dundee United and Glasgow Rangers.

In October 2022 Chris played for Northern Ireland Under-16s against Finland and Estonia. He scored against the latter. Last season he also played in the Victory Shield tournament, registering an assist in Northern Ireland’s 2-0 success against Wales.