COLERAINE V GLENAVON: A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday Glenavon travels to the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds to face Oran Kearney’s Coleraine in a Sports Direct Premiership fixture.

Despite the likely absence of some first team regulars, Stephen McDonnell is optimistic about his side’s prospects. “Coleraine has a lot of quality in its squad and will be looking to challenge for one of the European spots, but their form recently has been disappointing. They lost heavily to both Cliftonville and Crusaders and only defeated Bangor in the League Cup after extra-time. So, they are not unbeatable. We are capable of causing them problems,” he said.

Stephen McDonnell is hoping that his team will perform well. “If we produce a good performance, the result will probably take care of itself. To do that we need to work hard and do the fundamentals well,” he continued. “But it is still early days. We have only had a couple of training sessions.”

The new boss was encouraged by the players’ comeback win against Dergview in the BetMcLean League Cup. “I thought we were completely on top in the first half and very competitive in the second,” he said. “Jack Malone and Stephen Teggart could have given us a 2-0 lead early in the tie. Even though they had some half-chances later in the match, we still had most of the possession. Given that we went behind in extra-time, the team did well to recover. It was a victory. That itself has given everyone a lift.”

McDonnell reported that Calum Birney remains on the injured list. “Calum has an Achilles problem,” he explained. “He has been advised to rest. We don’t know how long for. We will monitor it closely. As soon as he is fit again, he’ll be back in first team contention.” Peter Campbell has not recovered from flu and will probably be unavailable. Jamie McDonagh is likely to be out long-term after taking ill on Tuesday. Robbie Garrett is still suspended but will be eligible to return next weekend.

Striker Colin Oppong has left Glenavon. The 21-year-old Belfast man put pen to paper at the end of the Summer Transfer Window. He made one first team appearance, against Banbridge Town in the Mid-Ulster Cup. He scored Glenavon’s third goal in the 3-0 victory.

Finally, Coleraine F.C. has asked supporters to access the Showgrounds via the Hillman’s Way entrance.

Other Glenavon teams in action this weekend:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Monday 9th October 2023 – Larne Olympic v Glenavon Reserves, Inver Park, 1945 k.o.
• Friday 6^th October 2023 – Glenavon U-16s v St. Malachy’s Cosmos U-16s, Subway NIBFA U-16 Cup, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 2015 k.o.
• Saturday 7^th October 2023 – Glenavon U-15s v Cliftonville U-15s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 1115 k.o.
• Saturday 7^th October 2023 – Maiden City U-14s v Glenavon U-14s, Lisneal College Sports Grounds, Londonderry, 1115 k.o.
• Friday 6^th October 2023 – Carryduff Colts U-13s v Glenavon U-13s, The Dub 3G, Belfast, 1830 k.o.