CARRICK RANGERS v GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 10th August 2024 Glenavon begins the new Sports Direct Premiership season with an away fixture against Carrick Rangers. The East Antrim club has strengthened its squad with the addition of defender Luke McCullough (ex-Glentoran), midfielder Seanan Clucas (ex-Glentroran) and striker (Paul Heatley (ex-Crusaders). Manager Stuart King has arguably one of the strongest squads in the league. He will be hoping that, after a seventh place finish last term, Rangers can finally break into the top six.

Glenavon, despite the addition of James Carroll (ex-Loughgall), David McDaid (ex-Coleraine), Barney McKeown (ex-Newry City), Rhys Marshall (ex-Glentoran), Michael O’Connor (ex-Gottne IF) and Keith Ward (Shelbourne), will be underdogs. Nevertheless, Stephen McDonnell is in a positive frame of mind.

“We have had a good pre-season and are looking forward to the game,” he said. “Carrick is a strong, physical side and has a lot of experience and quality, but we have top class players too. We are good enough to cause them problems.”

McDonnell revealed that he and his coaches have worked particularly hard on improving Glenavon’s defensive structure. “We have put a lot of emphasis on how we set up when we do not have the ball,” he said. “We aim to be well organised, dogged and difficult to break down. This season it is going to be an even more competitive league than last time. We want to be as difficult to play against as it is possible for us to be.”

The Dundalk man is pleased with the new additions to the first-team squad. “We have strengthened the spine of the team by adding two young but talented central defenders, two experienced midfielders and two proven frontmen,” he said. “All six players can make a big contribution. We are stronger than we were this time last year.”

With some difficult fixtures to come during the month of August, Stephen is hoping for a positive start. “Winning on the opening day is not the be all and end all, but it would be great to leave Taylor’s Avenue with all three points,” McDonnell continued. “But Carrick will have a similar mindset. Hopefully, we leave everything on the pitch and hit a decent level of form. If we do that, we can win the match.”

Glenavon will be without Jack Malone (suspension), Barney McKeown (ligaments), Chris Atherton (international duty) and long-term casualties Calum Birney and Isaac Baird. “Barney has a slight ligament strain,” added Stephen. “He should be back very soon. We are not sure when Calum will be available again. Isaac is hoping to return in January.”

New chairman, Glenn Emerson, is looking forward to the start of the season. “It has been a challenging summer, but the board has backed the manager as much as possible. Now I want to encourage all Glenavon supporters to make the trip to Taylor’s Avenue and get behind the team.”

Emerson reckons that preparations for the new campaign have gone well. “Stephen and the players have worked hard,” he continued. “They have put in a lot of time on the training pitch. Now it is almost match day. They will be doing their best to ensure that we get off to a good start. I want to appeal to our fans to back them as much as possible.”

The chairman asked supporters to particularly encourage the new arrivals. “We have brought in a number of new players,” he added. “Some will probably make their debuts against Carrick. Please let them know that we want them to do well. So, let’s have lots of noise and positive voices. If we all pull together, we can take all three points.”

Other Glenavon teams in action this weekend:

(Free Admission)

Monday 12th August 2024 – Glenavon Reserves v Carrick Rangers Reserves, Mourneview Park, 1945 k.o.