Clearer Water Irish Cup, 6th Round

Solitude, Belfast

Saturday 7th February 2026

Despite controlling the match for much of the first half, Glenavon lost 2-1 to Cliftonville in the Clearer Water Irish Cup 6^th round.

The Reds, who trailed for forty-five minutes, scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Johnny Addis fired the ball into the top corner from distance.

Teenager Luke McGerrigan gave Michael O’Connor’s side the lead in the 20^th minute with an equally impressive finish. Veteran Joe Gormley equalised for the home side after 65 minutes.

Cliftonville lost its impressive right winger Sean Robertson in the 72nd minute when he received a second yellow card. However, during the final twenty minutes, Glenavon was unable to make its one-man advantage count.

Both sides had chances in the opening sixty seconds. First, Charlie Lindsay shot to the side netting from an acute angle. Then, Healy side footed the ball straight at Jacob Carney after Liam McStravick had crossed from the left.

Paul McGovern’s shot from distance was blocked.

Nathaniel Ferris was involved in the move which led to Glenavon’s goal. The Glentoran loanee blocked an attempted clearance by Josh Kelly. When the ball fell to Lindsay, he found Gavin Gilmore who laid it into McGerrigan’s path. The 17 year old beat Lewis Ridd with a brilliant curling shot from 18 yards.

Healy had another chance when Robertson picked him out with a penetrating cross. This time the former Harland and Wolff Welders striker shot well over.

Carney saved a third attempt by Healy – this time from distance – with relative ease.

When Lindsay crossed from the right, McGovern’s header was saved easily.

McGerrigan shot well over from Barney McKeown’s long free kick.

Shaun Leppard headed Robertson’s cross wide at the far post.

Conor Pepper fouled Lindsay close to the edge of the Cliftonville penalty area. Glenavon appealed for a spot kick. However, referee Shane Andrews awarded a free kick.

McGovern shot just wide from 18 yards.

Lindsay’s attempt was deflected over. From the resultant corner kick, John Mountney headed just wide.

Cliftonville produced a much improved second half performance.

Carney did well to tip McStravick’s shot from distance over the crossbar.

In the 60^th minute the Reds introduced captain Rory Hale and veteran striker Joe Gormley.

Carney got his body behind Healy’s shot from 12 yards.

In the 65^th minute Andrews awarded the Reds a disputed corner kick. The Glenavon players claimed that the ball had gone out off Joe Gormley.

The usually reliable Carney failed to deal with Micheal Glynn’s cross and the ball ricocheted off Gormley’s body into the net.

Robertson was sent off when he received a second yellow card for a foul on Luke Cartwright. He had been booked in the 37^th minute.

When Glenavon was awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, Niall Quinn curled the ball over the crossbar.

Sean Carlin’s weak header was saved easily.

Carney made a comfortable save when Gormley got his head to Keevan Hawthorne’s cross from the left.

Joe Toole shot narrowly wide from distance.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time Glenavon substitute Michael Harkin fouled Joe Sheridan on the edge of the penalty area. Hale pushed the ball back for Addis to strike a brilliant left foot shot past Carney.

There was barely time to restart the match.

CLIFTONVILLE: Ridd, Pepper, Glynn, Leppard, Addis, Wilson, Robertson, J. Kelly, Curran, Healy, McStravick, SUBS: Balfour (not used), Hale for J. Kelly (60 mins), Gormley for Curran (60 mins), A. Kelly (not used), Toole for Pepper (half time), Hawthorne for Healy (77 mins), Sheridan for McStravick (77 mins).

GLENAVON: Carney, McMullan, Quinn, Cartwright, McKeown, Mountney, Lindsay, Gilmore, Ferris, McGerrigan, McGovern, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Burns for Lindsay (66 mins), Murphy (not used), Campbell for McGerrigan (75 mins), Kee (not used), Harkin for McGovern (66 mins), Carlin for Mountney (66 mins).

REFEREE: Shane Andrews.