BALLYMENA UNITED V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD

On Tuesday 7^th April 2026 Glenavon faces Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds in its second post-split Sports Direct Premiership fixture.

Although Ballymena has been inconsistent, it recently defeated in-form Carrick Rangers 2-1. United signed seven players in January. The new recruits include Shane McEleney (Glentoran), Sean Murray (Cork City), Igor Rutkowski (Armagh City) and Fuad Sule (Persis Solo). It currently occupies tenth place in the table with nine wins and seven draws from 33 matches.

Glenavon boss Michael O’Connor is suspended for the fixture. Therefore, first team coach Mark Ferguson will be in charge. Regulars Harry Murphy and Peter Campbell must also serve one match bans. There are fitness doubts about several players, including Paddy Burns and Luke Cartwright, who both picked up knocks against Portadown.

Mark is under no illusions about the size of the challenge ahead. “On paper, Ballymena have a superb side,” he said. “It is no surprise when they win games of football. Just look at their midfield. McEleney and Sule are two of the best in the league. They have already started signing quality players for next season. Oran [Kearney] is ambitious and has big plans. It will a difficult game.”

Nonetheless, Ferguson reckons that Glenavon has manoeuvred itself into an advantageous position in the league table. “There are four fixtures remaining and we have everything to play for,” he continued. “We are in control of our own destiny. If we win all the games, we will finish in at least eleventh place.”

The postponement of Ballymena’s last home fixture against Bangor suggests that the Showgrounds’ pitch is heavy. “Conditions are probably not going to be 100%,” added Mark. “We want to play good football, but we will be mindful of the surface. Whatever happens we will dig in and do everything we can to get something.”

Ferguson was pleased that Glenavon fought back to secure a point against Portadown, but disappointed with aspects of the performance. “Whilst we had to play into the wind in the first half, we were poor for the first fifteen minutes,” he said. “Obviously they scored. We were, I thought, nervous for the next fifteen minutes but we were very good towards the end of the first half. Michael doesn’t often have a go at the boys, but he wasn’t happy with the first 30 minutes. All credit to the players. Their response to what was said at half time was excellent. We dominated the second period.”

Mark feels that the Ports’ physicality in midfield made it difficult during the first half. “Gary Thompson was back in the middle of the park for them,” he explained. Luke Wilson was also in there. They are aggressive players. We expected them to be a different animal from five weeks ago. It took us a while to get to grips with that but eventually we did and finished much the better side.”

Ferguson felt that the introduction of Peter Campbell and John Mountney at half time made a difference. “Peter’s attacking threat and John’s experience helped us,” he said. “We got the two strikers playing on the edges of the 18 yard box and got Paul McGovern more involved. He was the best player on the pitch. He has the ability to produce moments of magic and unlock things. He got shots off – at least three or four – and always looked dangerous. For his age, he is a special talent.”

Mark also praised goalkeeper Jacob Carney who made important stops at the start of each half. “Jacob has made some exceptional saves in the last six or seven weeks,” he said. “He is one of the top keepers in this league. He is enjoying his time here. We are blessed to have him.”

The first-team coach had positive words for the players – Mark Byrne, Josh Kee, Michael Harkin, Gavin Gilmore, Luke Cartwright, etc. – who have not been playing regularly. “They are good guys around the club. They are supportive of the rest of the squad. Obviously, they are chomping at the bit to get more game time, but they aren’t complaining,” he continued. “They could be very important players during the next three or four weeks.”

Finally, Ferguson is looking forward to the trip to North Antrim. “Michael, Andy and I came here to do a job,” he said. “That is to keep us in this league. Nearly everyone wrote us off, but we didn’t lose focus. We would have bitten your hand off to come into the split in the position we where in. Its now up to us to finish what we started. A good result at Ballymena would help us to do that.”

In August 2025 Glenavon lost 2-0 to United but, in November, defeated the Sky Blues 3-1. Five weeks ago, the clubs drew 2-2 at the Showgrounds.