Sports Direct Irish Premiership

Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Saturday 6^th September 2025

Glenavon suffered its sixth successive Premiership defeat when Dungannon Swifts won 2-0.

Thomas Maguire (13 mins) and Kealan Dillon (42 mins) scored for the visitors.

The home side lost centre half Kyle McClelland with a shoulder injury after just six minutes. Its other two central defenders were both sent off by referee Jamie Robinson. Harry Murphy saw red in the 23^rd minute for a second bookable offence and Barney McKeown was dismissed in the 67^th minute for dissent seconds after he had been cautioned for a foul tackle.

Dungannon dominated possession from the kick-off. Yet, ironically, it was Glenavon which had the first attempt on goal. Davy McDaid exchanged passes with Ben Wilson on the right before shooting narrowly wide from 16 yards.

Seconds later the visitors took the lead. New signing, Junior, cleverly kept the ball in play after Leo Alves’ free kick threatened to go out allowing Tiernan Kelly to cross for Thomas Maguire to shoot past Jacob Carney.

Glenavon’s predicament considerably worsened after Murphy received his marching orders.

The visitors might have made it 2-0 when Adam Glenny shot just past the post from the edge of the penalty area.

Junior and Kelly’s weak headers were both saved easily.

When Maguire crossed from the left, Dillon got a touch with his forehead and Niall Quinn’s attempted clearing header hit the base of the post.

Three minutes later Kealan Dillon’s incisive through ball left Glenny with only Carney to beat. The Glenavon goalkeeper kept his team in the contest with a fine diving save.

Then Dungannon scored its second goal. Kris Lowe was penalised for a challenge on Maguire. Dillon took the free kick and beat Carney with a brilliant curling shot from 22 yards.

Seven minutes after the break Niall Quinn had a chance to shoot but his attempt hit the Swifts’ defensive wall and was cleared.

At the other end Leo Alves shot over the crossbar from 20 yards.

When Alves crossed from the left, Dillon shot over.

Glenavon’s situation, already difficult, was made almost impossible when Barney McKeown went for an early bath after picking up two yellow cards in less than 30 seconds.

Tiernan Kelly had a great chance to score the third but shot straight at Carney.

Jack Malone had an opportunity to reduce the arrears when, with Declan Dunne some distance out of goal, he delayed his shot and eventually fired over the crossbar.

Substitute Andrew Mitchell had a gilt-edged chance to extend the visitors lead when Bobby Jack McAleese picked him out with a neat pass. The one-time Mourneview favourite shot weakly and Carney saved well.

In the closing minutes McAleese blasted the ball well wide, and Sean McAllister shot straight at Carney.

A very disappointing display by Glenavon.

GLENAVON: Carney, Wilson, O’Kane, Murphy, McKeown, McClelland, Kee, Quinn, O’Connor, McDaid, Lomboto, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Malone for Kee (31 mins), Lowe for McClelland (6 mins), Bosakani (not used), C. Smith for Lomboto (58 mins), Carlin for O’Connor (half time), McGovern for McDaid (58 mins).

Yellow Cards: Murphy (12’), Murphy (23’), Wilson (30’), McKeown (67’), McKeown (67’), Colin Coates (68’).

Red Cards: Murphy (23’), McKeown (67’).

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Dunne, Scott, Glenny, Wallace, Marron, Bigirimana, Alves, Kelly, Dillon, Maguire, Junior, SUBS: Henderson (not used), Galvin for Alves (76 mins), McGinty (not used), M. Smith for Dillon (70 mins), McAleese for Bigirimana (70 mins), Mitchell for Junior (76 mins), McAllister for Maguire (64 mins).

Yellow Card: Bigirimana (51’).

REFEREE: Jamie Robinson.