GLENAVON V DUNGANNON SWIFTS, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 6^th September 2025 Glenavon faces Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park in its sixth Sports Direct Premiership fixture.

The 2024-25 Irish Cup winners have made a disappointing start to the new season and are still looking for their first point. Nonetheless, Rodney McAree has a strong panel to select from. Last week he added to his attacking options by recruiting former Glentoran centre forward Junior.

“Dungannon is renowned for playing good football,” said Glenavon boss Patrick McLaughlin. “They get the ball down, pass it well and cause opponents plenty of problems. We know what to expect. They are a bit like us in that they are looking for a result and perhaps feel that they haven’t had too many breaks. Regardless of form, they are still a very good side.”

Paddy believes that the priority for his team is to pick up points. “We need a win. We aren’t too worried about how we get it,” he said. “The players are hurting. There is also a bit of anger because some refereeing decisions have gone against us. Everyone in the dressing room has worked their socks off. Our performances have been much better than our results. We want to get that first three points. When we do that, I feel that we are good enough to put a good run together.”

McLaughlin believes that poor finishing has been a big factor in his team’s unsatisfactory start. “We have created a lot of decent scoring opportunities, but we haven’t taken enough of them and that has really hurt us,” he reflected. “We had chances at both Taylor’s Avenue and the Oval and failed to find the net in either match. In fact, we could easily have scored two or three against Glentoran. Even at home to Coleraine we threatened at times, scored and but for the sending off might well have drawn or won the game. Last Saturday we could easily have had a half time lead. But ifs and maybes don’t count for a lot. We need to be better in the final third of the pitch. The players know that.”

Paddy revealed that a further appeal has been submitted in respect of Francely Lomboto’s sending off against Coleraine. The former Sligo Rovers striker will therefore be available to face Dungannon. “Francely’s sending off was, in our view, a poor decision at the time but the more we reflect on it the worse we think it was,” he said. “There was no intent or serious foul play. The video evidence is there for all to see. Even at Solitude we were very hard done by with a penalty appeal and then, with ten minutes to go, the big man was penalised when he had got past the last defender and was bearing down on goal. There was absolutely no foul. If he had been allowed to go on, he may well have equalised.”

Whilst Paddy was disappointed at the manner in which the opener was conceded against Cliftonville, he plans to continue encouraging the players to play out from the back. “I accept that we gave the ball away in a bad area but that can happen,” he said. “I take full responsibility. The lads were doing what I told them to do. My view on this will never change. We have good technical players in every area of the pitch. Obviously, we will do our best to be responsible in the decisions we make. But I want us to keep the ball and work it through the zones. If we do that, we can hurt the opposition and score goals. I firmly believe that.”

McLaughlin reckons that the players gained a measure of confidence from the 4-0 midweek win against Coagh United. “I know that we were playing lower league opposition, but it was still good for morale to keep a clean sheet, score four times and get a victory,” he added. “We played some decent football and a few of the goals were outstanding. Credit to Ben Wilson for his fabulous strike from distance and Luke McGerrigan for getting on the scoresheet again. Michael O’Connor also deserves credit for his brilliant effort and Francely got his second in four days. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, winning is always a positive. Now we want to build on it against Dungannon.”

McLaughlin reports an almost fully fit squad. “James Heaney and Peter Campbell are both still out but apart from that we are in good shape,” he said. “It goes without saying that we miss Peter badly. Losing him has been devastating. He gives so much to the team in terms of commitment and quality on the ball. Fortunately, we have a very good physio in Scott Hughes. He is working with him. Scott’s prognosis at this stage is 4-6 weeks but that will have to be kept under review. Much as we need him, he won’t be back in the side until he is ready.”

The match against Dungannon is sponsored by Gordon Irwin. Gordon, who also supported the July friendly against FC Erzgebirge Aue, has been Glenavon president since March 1995. He has supported the club since Christmas Day 1950 when he attended his first match. He later became a fine cricketer and played in many of Waringstown’s trophy winning teams of the 1950s and 1960s.  He was also a talented golfer and snooker player. During the 1970s he became a close personal friend of the late, great Wilbur Cush. He was, of course, Managing Director of Broomhill Home Furnishings, now Bedeck 1951, before passing the baton to his eldest son, Gary. He remains a generous and much-loved benefactor.

The matchball sponsor is The Sinnamon Family in memory of John. John Sinnamon was Glenavon’s vice-chairman during the 2010s. He died in 2023. He is fondly remembered by his former colleagues on the Board of Directors and many others.

The McCracken’s Brewery “Player of the Match” sponsor is Barry Craig.

The charity is the Ancre Somme Association based at Brownlow House in Lurgan. Supporters are asked to give generously.

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Saturday 6^th September 2025 – Tullyvallen v Glenavon Reserves, Bob Radcliffe Cup 1^st Round, Hillview Park, 1400 k.o.
• Wednesday 10^th September 2025 – Loughgall U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Lakeview Park, 2000 k.o.
• Saturday 6^th September 2025 – Crusaders U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Seaview, 1000 k.o.