GLENAVON V ARDS, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 8^th August 2026 Glenavon faces Ards at Mourneview Park in its first BOYLE Sports Championship fixture of the season.

The Newtownards club, demoted from the Premiership in 2018-19 after losing the promotion/relegation play-off against Carrick Rangers, has struggled to make a sustained bid to return. Last season it finished in eighth place with the following record: P 38 W 15 D 7 L 16 F 56 A 51 Pt’s 52.

Ards boss John Bailie has made six new signings – Jack Boyd, Ciomahan Crossan, James McClure, Fintan O’Boyle, Jack Smith and Jayden Withers.

Glenavon’s recruits are Lorcan Donnelly (goalkeeper), Deaglan Healy (midfielder), Mark Patton (midfielder), Alex Watson (midfielder), Ethan Devine (striker), Brandon Doyle (striker) and Ryan Waide (striker)

Blues’ boss Michael O’Connor has high hopes for all the new additions. “We have strengthened in important areas,” he said. “The three lads up front have all played in the Championship. They have different attributes. Hopefully, they will resolve the problem we had last time of creating chances but not converting them. Lorcan [Donnelly] is a good keeper and Mark Patton, Alex Watson and Deaglan Healy will bring quality to our midfield.”

O’Connor has been encouraged by the way the new arrivals have integrated with the existing squad. “It is important to establish a strong bond right from the start,” he added. “We don’t want any disruptive influences. Thankfully, everyone is united and pulling in the same direction.”

The Belfast man feels that Mark Patton, although he is now well into his thirties, will be a key player. “He will bring composure, calmness and intelligence when we are in possession,” he explained. “He will also be a really positive voice in the dressing room. He is exactly the type of player and person we need.” Michael feels that Niall Quinn, another veteran, albeit that he is five years younger, will have an equally important role to play. “Niall came back from the break in outstanding condition,” he continued. “He is still a top, top player. He also has the hunger to do well. He will be key for us.”

Matthew Allen, Luke McGerrigan and Ben Wilson, three of the club’s top teenagers, are also expected to feature prominently. “We still have a lot of young talent,” said the boss. “Alex Watson, on loan from Coleraine, also comes into that category. These lads all have cross-channel potential. The market here is strong at the minute in terms of opportunities to go to England and Scotland. We hope that they all get chances but, in the meantime, they can play a big part for us.”

O’Connor is looking forward to the new campaign. “The rest of the coaches and I feel to some degree responsible for what happened last time, so we are very keen to start playing competitive matches again and begin to put things right,” he said. “It is the same for the players who were at the club last season. We all aim to get the club back into the Premiership as quickly as possible.”

The Blues’ boss is pleased with the build up to the big kick-off. “We thought a lot about the opponents we wanted to play and when we wanted to play them,” he continued. “Doncaster Rovers are obviously a top, top side. They gave us a real test in terms of the quality of football they played. Crumlin Star, Derriaghy and Crumlin United offered more of a physical challenge. Then, last Saturday, Ballymena United gave us a really good workout at an important stage.”

Michael feels that the players are in excellent physical condition. “The first fortnight back was tough,” he explained. “We had sessions on the Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. Then it got a bit easier. To their credit the lads have met all their targets in terms of high speed running, etc. Thankfully, we have had no muscle injuries. The last week has been particularly good. All in all, it has gone very well.”

Although he is confident, O’Connor is taking nothing for granted. “The Championship is different to the Premiership,” he added. “It is physical, there are quick transitions, plenty of long balls and battles for second balls. Quality alone does not guarantee anything. We will need to do the ugly side of the game well every Saturday if our ability is to come through. It will not be easy, but we feel that we have a strong squad and have the potential to compete.”

He expects Ards to be tough first-day opponents. “I have watched three of their pre-season matches,” he continued. “John Bailie seems to have recruited well. They are disciplined, well organised and have some attacking players who can hurt opponents. But we have a game plan. We have worked on it in training. Hopefully, we are solid at the back, exploit some of Ards’s weaknesses and turn possession into goals.”

Finally, Michael appealed for Glenavon supporters to attend matches in numbers and get behind the players. “The fans have been tremendous since I arrived,” he said. “They have backed the team wholeheartedly both home and away. They can be the twelfth man again.”

Twenty-four hours ahead of the big kick-off, O’Connor reports no suspensions and only two players in the doubtful category.

The match sponsor is The Spirit of 2014 Glenavon Supporters’ Club.

The match ball sponsor is Barry Craig.

Zio Restaurant “Player of the Match” sponsor is Hubert Watson.

There will be a bucket collection in support of the Pretty ‘n Pink, Northern Ireland’s leading Breast Cancer charity. Please give generously.