Sports Direct Irish Premiership

Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Saturday 25^th April 2026

A poor second half performance by Glenavon contributed to a narrow final Saturday defeat by Carrick Rangers.

Paddy Burns (41 mins) and debutant Alfie Pollock (84 mins) found the net for the home side.

Adam Lecky (57 mins), Jimmy Callacher (73 mins) and Danny Gibson (90 mins) were on target for the visitors.

In the opening minutes Paul Heatley hit the side netting with a speculative effort.

Nathaniel Ferris was released by Peter Campbell, but he failed to control the ball, and Luke McCullough cleared the danger.

Two weak headers by Adam Lecky were saved easily by Jacob Carney.

When Jordan McMullan crossed from the right, Campbell shot wide from 8 yards.

Lecky headed over after a precise cross by Ryan McKay.

Glenavon was awarded a penalty kick when Rangers’ goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly impeded Ferris after Sean Carlin had played a long forward pass. Paddy Burns stepped forward and shot firmly to the corner of the net.

Ferris almost extended the home side’s advantage when he beat two men following a brilliant pass by Mickey Harkin. However, Donnelly blocked the Glentoran loanee’s shot with his legs.

Carrick Rangers introduced experienced defender Jimmy Callacher and first team regulars Aidan Steele and Joe Moore at half time.

Moore burst clear of Harry Murphy, but Carney shepherded him wide and, in the end, made a straightforward save.

Three minutes later Moore again tested the Glenavon goalkeeper. This time the Englishman stopped the ball with both hands at the concession of a corner kick.

After Peter Campbell delivered a free kick into the penalty area, Burns laid the ball back and Ferris shot over the crossbar.

Lecky equalised with a close-range shot following an excellent free kick delivery by substitute Aidan Steele.

Then Carrick, which constantly threatened from set-pieces, almost took the lead. However, Oran O’Kane headed Luke McCullough’s goalbound header off the line.

Callacher made the score 2-1 when he shot home at the far post after Steele’s brilliant corner kick evaded Glenavon’s defenders.

With six minutes to go substitute Conor Falls tested Donnelly with a well hit shot. Although the goalkeeper made a good save, Glenavon scored from the resultant corner kick.

Donnelly blocked Paddy Burns’s near post header from Charlie Lindsay’s cross. Nonetheless. teenager Alfie Pollock pounced on the rebound to shoot into the net.

Danny Gibson profited from another excellent corner kick delivery to score Carrick Rangers’ last minute winner. The former Glenavon striker shot home from a few yards after Carney had saved McCullough’s powerful header.

GLENAVON: Carney, McMullan, O’Kane, P. Burns, Murphy, Carlin, Lowe, Quinn, Harkin, Ferris, Campbell, SUBS: Kee (not used), Gilmore (not used), Falls for Ferris (64 mins), McGovern for Campbell (64 mins), Lindsay for Carlin (64 mins), McShane for Quinn (77 mins), A. Pollock for Murphy (77 mins).

Yellow Card: Murphy (70’).

CARRICK RANGERS: Donnelly, Place, R. Glendinning, W. J. Burns, McCullough, Cherry, Snoddy, McCawl, McKay, Lecky, Heatley, SUBS: Gartside (not used), Callacher for W. J.  Burns (half time), Waide for Lecky (79 mins), Gibson for Heatley (66 mins), Steele for Cherry (half time), Jeffers (not used), Moore for Snoddy (half time).

Yellow Cards: Snoddy (25’), Cherry (37’), Donnelly (40’).

REFEREE: Jamie Robinson.