GLENAVON v DUNGANNON SWIFTS, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday Glenavon entertains Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park in its next Sports Direct Premiership fixture. Although the East Tyrone club has won only once this season, it has drawn on six occasions, including twice against Larne. Rodney McAree’s side has also scored 17 times, many in the closing stages of tightly contested matches. The Swifts solitary win was the 3-1 success against Glenavon in September which directly preceded Gary Hamilton’s departure as manager.

“Dungannon will be tough opponents, there is no doubt about that,” said Stephen McDonnell. “Rodney McAree is an experienced manager. He has some talented young players. Some of their results do not suggest a team struggling at the bottom of the table. To pick up all three points, we will have to be at our best.”

McDonnell, hoping for a first Glenavon win against the Stangmore Park men for some thirteen months, will have to come up with a gameplan for success which does not involve talismanic winger, Peter Campbell. The yellow card, issued to the Richhill man in the closing moments of last Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Carrick Rangers, has triggered an automatic one-match suspension. “Losing Peter is a big blow,” admitted McDonnell. “He scored twice, almost snatched a hat-trick and helped to create our third goal. But it will give someone else an opportunity. Last week a lot of our players excelled. There is no reason why they can’t do so again.”

Seven days ago, Stephen revealed that his players had trained particularly well in advance of the trip to Taylor’s Avenue. He feels that this week, the standard has been maintained. “On Tuesday and Thursday night, the lads brought a high level of commitment and intensity to everything they did together,” he added. “It is a very encouraging sign.”

But again, McDonnell will be forced to make changes. “Jack Malone is available to come back in,” he added. “That is a positive. But, unfortunately, we might be without Niall Quinn. In addition, Tiernan Mulvenna has picked up a foot injury and will need an x-ray to establish its full extent. Plus, Sean Ward will be absent for another two or three weeks. The squad is very depleted. This weekend it is going to take a big effort by everyone who is fit and available to play.”

Prior to the match, there will be an Act of Remembrance at the Mournveview Park War Memorial. The service starts at 2pm. 

The match against Dungannon will be sponsored by a syndicate of former Glenavon directors. The ball sponsor is Ian Malcolmson. The ‘Player of the Match’ sponsor is Brownlow House, Lurgan.

Other Glenavon teams in action this weekend:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Monday 6^th November 2023 – Glenavon Reserves v Carrick Rangers Reserves, Mourneview Park, 1945 k.o.
• Saturday 4^th November 2023 – Glenavon U-16s v Dungannon Swifts U-16s, Gordon Playing Fields, 1100 k.o.
• Saturday 4^th November 2023 – Glenavon U-15s v Linfield U-15s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 0930 k.o.
• Saturday 4^th November 2023 – Dungannon Swifts U-14s v Glenavon U-14s, Stangmore Park, 1000 k.o.
• Saturday 4^th November 2023 – Cliftonville U-13s v Glenavon U-13s, Grove Playing Fields, 1100 k.o.