CRUSADERS V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 14^th March 2026 Glenavon faces Crusaders at Seaview in its next Sports Direct Premiership fixture.

The Seaview men have had a significant turnover in players since the end of last season. Jimmy Callacher (Carrick Rangers), Billy Joe Burns (Carrick Rangers), Adam Lecky (Carrick Rangers), Daniel Larmour (Glentoran), Jordan Stewart (Glentoran), Philip Lowry (Limavady United), Ross Clarke (Glentoran) and Jarlath O’Rourke (Glentoran) have gone. A host of new players have arrived including Adam Brooks (Queen of the South), Cammy Bruce (Airdrie), Fraser Bryden (Ayr United), Musa Dibaga (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Jack Doherty (Fleetwood Town), Elliott Dunlop (Airdrie), Kurtis Forsythe (Carrick Rangers), Brendan Hamilton (Aberdeen), Thomas Maguire (Dungannon Swifts), Kieran McKechnie (Arbroath), Scot Rough (Stranraer) and Finley Thorndike (Glentoran).

Crusaders have lost seven and drawn one of their last eight fixtures. On Tuesday night Cliftonville’s Joe Gormley scored a late winner at Seaview in the North Belfast derby. Their last victory was a 2-0 home success against Dungannon Swifts in early January.

Michael O’Connor approaches the game confidently yet cautiously. “It is, obviously, a very important match,” he said. “It is the bottom two going head-to-head.

Form, I think, will not count for a lot. They have been on a really bad run but that does not mean that they aren’t capable of causing us problems. We are in good spirits after the three matches in eight days week when we defeated Bangor and Portadown and drew with Ballymena United. The team which performs best on the day will probably win it.”

The Belfast man reckons that the Crues’ defeat against Cliftonville on Tuesday night could affect them either positively or negatively. “It might really galvanise them and make them determined to put things right against us or it could leave them feeling down on their luck and a bit fragile,” he continued. “We won’t know which it is until Saturday.”

O’Connor is wary of Crusaders ability to create chances and plunder goals. “They can be really good in possession. They have scored more goals than us,” he added. “We will have to be really careful that, when we lose possession, we get behind the ball and into position quickly to stop them playing through us. On the other hand, they concede quite a few. They have suffered some heavy defeats since Christmas. That gives us good reason to be hopeful that we will be able to put them under pressure.”

Glenavon scored crucial goals from set piece situations in its three recent victories against Cliftonville (2-1), Bangor (3-1) and Portadown (3-0). Michael is hopeful that the players can continue that run on Saturday. “What teams do from dead ball situations is becoming more and more important,” he said. “It is as true in the Premiership in England as it is in this league. Crusaders have conceded a number of times recently from set pieces. It is an area we feel we can exploit. We have players who can both deliver the ball accurately into dangerous areas and get on the end of crosses. Hopefully, we can be as effective in this aspect on Saturday as we have been lately.”

O’Connor is appreciative of the support which the team has received on its away trips. He wants Glenavon’s fans to make plenty of noise again at Seaview. “Until a few weeks ago we had a dreadful away record, yet hundreds of supporters still followed us to every stadium in the country,” he added. “Those who make the effort to get to places like Clandeboye Park and the Ballymena Showgrounds will play a massive part between now and the end of the season. The players deeply appreciate the backing and encouragement they receive. The fans have also been particularly good to me. Saturday is a big match. Our supporters can, once again, play their part in helping us to get the three points.”

Michael reports that the only injury doubt is John Mountney who was forced to leave the field early against Portadown with a slight hamstring problem. Oran O’Kane, who has not pulled on a first team jersey since Boxing Day, played 45 minutes for the U-20s recently, suffered no ill effects and is in contention for Saturday’s squad. Ben Wilson is now only two or three weeks away from making a return. He has been running on the treadmill without any protection around his ankle.

Glenavon lost both of its two meetings with Crusaders this season – 2-0 at Mourneview Park in September and 4-1 at Seaview in November.

The PSNI advises supporters to allocate sufficient time for the journey to Belfast. Increased traffic is anticipated in the Seaview area. Please be considerate when choosing a parking place. Avoid leaving vehicles in front of driveways or shop entrances.

Some match tickets are, at the time of writing, still available. However, there is limited accommodation for away supporters due to building work. Those intending to travel are advised to purchase their tickets in advance.

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free Admission to all games)

• Monday 16^th March 2026 – Linfield Swifts v Glenavon Reserves, Midgley Park, 1945 k.o.
• Saturday 14^th March 2026 – Glenavon U-18s v Dungannon Swifts U-18s, Mid-Ulster Youth Cup Semi-final, Gordon Playing Fields, 1000 k.o..
• Saturday 14^th March 2026 – Warrenpoint Town U-16s v Glenavon U-16s, Milltown, 1100 k.o.