GLENAVON V NEWRY CITY: A LOOK AHEAD

On Tuesday 10th October 2023 Glenavon continues its Mid-Ulster Cup campaign with a home quarter-final against Newry City.

“We will treat this game like any other cup tie,” said Stephen McDonnell. “That means that we will field a strong team and do our best to win. I know that, in the past, the club has put out predominantly young sides in the Mid-Ulster Cup. I am not saying that young players won’t be involved, but we see this as another opportunity for the first team lads to apply what we have been showing them in training in a competitive situation.”

The Dundalk man was encouraged by the team’s first half performance against Coleraine. “It was a good 45 minutes,” he continued. “It demonstrated as much to the players as anyone else that we are capable of playing good football and creating clear cut chances against top six opponents. The only disappointment was that we didn’t score three or four goals.”

Although Stephen is unsure exactly how Newry will approach the tie, he is certain that it will be determined to win. “They may or may not choose to rest some first team regulars,” he added. “But, regardless of that, the eleven lads who take the field for them will give it their very best. It is up to us to match or better them for effort and be a bit more ruthless in the final third of the pitch.”

Finally, Sean Ward has a slight knock and may not play. Conor McCloskey, who missed the trip to Coleraine due to illness, is likely to be available.

The tie will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties, if required.