CLIFTONVILLE V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 7^th February 2026 Glenavon faces Cliftonville at Solitude in the Clearer Water Irish Cup sixth round.

It is a repeat of last season’s rip-roaring tie at the same stage of the competition when Jim Magilton’s side won 3-2.

Aaron Pettifer gave the Reds the lead in first half injury time before Michael O’Connor equalised twelve minutes after the break. Rory Hale looked to have won it for Cliftonville with a sublime strike two minutes before the end. However, Barney McKeown scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time after an error by home custodian Davud Odumosu. Johnny Addis grabbed the winner in the 4^th minute of the second period of extra time with a brilliant shot past Mark Byrne.

Glenavon is boosted by its 2-1 victory against the Reds in last Saturday’s Sports Direct Premiership fixture at Mourneview Park. “I thought that we played really well,” reflected Blues’ boss Michael O’Connor. “We produced high quality attacking football all the way through and our defence performed well too, particularly in the second half. It was a very entertaining match.”

Michael was particularly pleased with his team’s response to the concession of Ryan Curran’s opening goal. “It was their first meaningful attack,” he said. “Charlie Lindsay made a mistake. Sometimes these things happen. We could have really struggled after that but instead we keep doing what we had been doing and equalised very quickly. Charlie also responded well. Apart from the error, he had an excellent first half.”

O’Connor accepted that he took a risk by selecting such an offensive eleven. “I changed the team three or four times in my head between Friday and lunchtime on Saturday,” he revealed. “I knew that we needed to win so, eventually, I decided to play with five attackers – Stevie Mallon, Peter Campbell, Charlie Lindsay, Paul McGovern and Nathaniel Ferris. We usually play a 4-2-3-1 formation, but we played 4-1-4-1. I knew that we were going to give up chances, but I was confident that we could score more goals than them.”

Michael revealed that he and his coaching staff have worked hard to improve the team’s defensive shape since the 5-2 defeat at Solitude in December. “We’ve tried to be more solid when we are out of possession,” he continued. “But on Saturday we had one less defensive player and, to some extent, threw caution to the wind. The players’ response was the key to the win. You can see their determination. They never give up. Midway through the second half I brought on John Mountney to play alongside Sean Carlin and give us a better defensive structure. We needed fresh legs to see the game out. I thought that we managed the final 20-25 minutes well. In the closing stages we created a couple of opportunities. Gavin [Gilmore] almost got a third goal.”

O’Connor, though disappointed that Nathaniel Ferris failed to convert the penalty kick opportunity early in the second half, will have no qualms about the Magheralin man stepping forward next time Glenavon is awarded a spot kick. “Penalties are always high pressure but once Peter [Campbell] was fouled, Nathaniel went straight to the ball. He was brave enough to take responsibility,” said the Belfast man. “He made a good connection but unfortunately the keeper saved it. I missed penalties in my own career. It can happen. Next time I am sure Nathaniel will put his hand up. He’s that type of player.”

It goes without saying that Michael was delighted when Harry Murphy snatched what proved to be the winning goal. “I questioned the boys about the lack of quality from set pieces in the Coleraine match,” he said. “It was something which we needed to improve. On Saturday we were much more threatening. Paddy Burns had one blocked on the line from our first corner kick and then, obviously, Harry found the net in the second half. Murph is a big lad. He unnerves defenders when he goes forward. He got up well and made no mistake with the header. It was also a great cross.”

The Blues’ boss plans to give his attacking players the same licence at Solitude. “I will tell them to go out and enjoy themselves, play with freedom and cause defenders problems,” he commented. “I don’t believe that forwards should be like robots. When they rotate and do what they are good at they are a handful.”

Michael is pleased with the progress which the club’s strikers have made since his arrival. “I didn’t see very many of the first eleven or twelve games so I don’t know what was happening then, but I can certainly see a big improvement over the last three or four months,” he explained. “We are creating chances every week. That is even true of the times when we have lost. Look at the Bangor match in early December and the Dungannon home game a few weeks later. We could easily have won both of those. But against Cliftonville we were more clinical. That always makes a huge difference.”

O’Connor had positive words for Sean Carlin who, last weekend, played his first full match since recovering from a hernia problem. “I thought that he was super all the way through the game,” he continued. “It wasn’t easy for him to play in there by himself especially with Mallon and Lindsay head. But he did really well. He didn’t just protect the back four. He started many attacks. He is an important player for us and will have a lot to contribute between now and the end of the season.”

The Belfast man hinted that, although everyone is fit, he might change the team for the big cup tie. “We have two big away games in four days – Cliftonville and Carrick Rangers. My job is to pick two teams which can win both matches. That might mean different tactics or a change of personnel. Jim [Magilton] may rotate some players but I don’t think he will alter his approach. Hard work and total commitment were key to the victory last weekend and it will be the same on Saturday. Solitude is always a tough place to go to. We will give it our all. It is a chance to end our losing run away from home and win two games back-to-back for the first time this season. Hopefully we can do it.”

Michael revealed that Ben Wilson, who sustained an ankle knock against Glentoran, is likely to be out of action for most of February. The teenager has just signed a contract extension. “Unfortunately, we will be without him for two or three weeks,” he said. “It is a blow because he had been playing well. We’ll take it week by week and try to get him back as soon as we can. It was important to get him tied down. He has enormous potential. Hopefully, he will continue to improve.”

Kris Lowe trained this week and is back in contention for a first team place. Oran O’Kane has started running and hopes to be more fully involved by the end of next week. Michael Harkin, who was sent off during extra time in the Clearer Water Irish Cup fifth round clash with Newington, is available again after suspension. However, loan signing Conor Falls cannot play against his “parent” club and is therefore unavailable.

Glenavon has not beaten the Reds at Solitude since a Europa League Play-off Semi-final tie in May 2017 when Rhys Marshall, Greg Moorhouse, James Singleton, James Gray and Andy McGrory scored in a memorable 5-3 success.

This season the Lurgan Blues have lost twice at the North Belfast venue – 3-1 in August and, of course, 5-2 in December.

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Monday 9^th February 2026 – Glenavon Reserves v Carrick Rangers Reserves, Mourneview Park, 1945 k.o.
• Friday 6^th February 2026 – Portadown U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Brownstown Park, 2030 k.o.
• Saturday 7^th February 2026 – Glenavon U-16s v Portadown U-16s, St. Patrick’s High School, Banbridge, 1115 k.o.