GLENAVON V DUNGANNON SWIFTS, A LOOK AHEAD

On Tuesday 30th December 2025 Glenavon faces Dungannon Swifts at Mourneview Park in its final Sports Direct Premiership fixture of the year. The match kicks off at 1945.

The 2024-25 Irish Cup winners have defeated Portadown (4-2) and Bangor (1-0) over Christmas. They occupy fifth place in the Premiership table with 11 wins and one draw from 21 games.

Michael O’Connor anticipates a difficult 90 minutes. “Dungannon is in good form,” he said. “They have had some excellent results against some of the best teams in the league. I watched their last game against Bangor. They passed the ball well, had good rotations and looked a threat every time they got forward. The lad Junior is very dangerous up top; they have goals in midfield; and Glenny at the back has scored three times in the last four matches. We will need to be at our best if we are to pick up any points.”

The Belfast man take some confidence from his team’s performance two months ago at Stangmore Park when the Swifts triumphed 1-0. “They had one chance in that game and took it whilst we dominated possession for long periods, hit the woodwork and created other opportunities,” he reflected. “On another day, with better finishing, we could easily have drawn or even won that match.”

O’Connor hopes that his players can build on the encouraging display against Portadown at Shamrock Park. “We lost 1-0 which was very disappointing,” he continued. “But we played some really good football, particularly in the second half. We certainly did not look like a team which is at the bottom of the table. Aaron McCarey was probably man of the match. He made excellent saves from Paddy Burns and Jack Malone in the first period and after half time he got his hand to a shot by Bridel Bosakani and fingertipped another effort by Paul McGovern over the crossbar. If any of those efforts had gone in the result might have been very different.”

Despite the concession of what proved to be the winner from a corner kick, Michael was pleased with his team’s defensive display. “I don’t think they got in behind us once. Jacob Carney made one straightforward save in the first half and young Sean Hamill didn’t face a single shot in the second,” he added. “At half-time we emphasised that the back four needed to give Sean as much protection as possible. We asked them to play a really high line. They couldn’t have done that any better than they did. Obviously, we were disappointed that we allowed them space at the back post for the goal. We should have been physically stronger at that moment. But, overall, defensively we were very solid.”

O’Connor accepts that the team has struggled in the absence of a genuine centre forward. “That has been a problem for us for three or four matches,” he conceded. “Bridel [Bosakani] has worked extremely hard and done very well but he is not a natural number nine. We have been forced to rely on Paul McGovern to carry a goal threat, and he has been excellent in every game, but it is a lot to ask of a teenager. Jack Malone has chipped in with some goals and has been very good in the new role we have given him. The bottom line is that if we had had an out-and-out centre forward on the pitch this month, I am certain that we would have picked up more points than we have.”

The other big factor impacting the team offensively is the absence of Peter Campbell. “There is no getting away from that,” added Michael. “It is nearly impossible to replace someone of his ability. In the only full game which he has played since I was appointed, the 3-1 win against Ballymena United, he was the best player on the pitch. Losing him early on in the Bangor match was a big setback. It probably contributed to our defeat that day and we have missed him ever since. It is important to get him back as soon as possible,”

The good news is that both Peter and Sean Carlin have begun to train again. “Both lads did some hard running and ball work the last time we had a session,” O’Connor explained. “If they have no adverse reaction, we will build on that. Scott [Hughes] reckons that, in both cases, it will be another 2-3 weeks before they are ready to play again.”

Goalkeeper Jacob Carney faces a 21-day lay-off after sustaining a concussion injury at Shamrock Park. Nonetheless Michael hopes that Mark Byrne might be available to face Dungannon. “We have sought professional advice in the hope that he might get the all-clear to return,” he continued. “We expect to hear something on Tuesday morning.”

Left back Oran O’Kane is also a doubtful starter. “Oran felt his hamstring against Portadown,” added the Blues’ boss. “That’s why we took him off when we did. Scott [Hughes] has assessed him. We will make a decision on his fitness on Tuesday night.”

Finally, O’Connor continues to work hard to strengthen the squad. “The window opens on New Year’s Day,” he said. “Things will start to become clearer after that. We are doing everything we can to add to what we have. But, as I have said before, we will not sign players for the sake of it. We need people of good character and with the ability to make an immediate impact.”

When Glenavon played Dungannon at Mourneview Park in September, the Swifts won 2-0.

The match sponsor is Edsel Muldrew. Edsel, a retired businessman, is a lifelong supporter and generous benefactor. The matchball sponsors are Jayden Harker and the Spirit of 2014 Glenavon Supporters’ Club. The McCracken’s Brewery “Player of the Match” sponsor is former director Hubert Watson. Glenavon is indebted to all its financial backers.

Teen Challenge N.I. will hold a bucket collection. Teen Challenge is a Belfast based charity which assists young people who have developed life controlling problems, such as alcohol and drug addictions, and offers preventative help to those who are at risk. Please give generously.

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Monday 5^th January 2026 – Linfield Swifts v Glenavon Reserves, Midgley Park 3G, 1945 k.o.
• Friday 2^nd January 2026 – Carrick Rangers U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Taylor’s Avenue 3G, 2000 k.o.