BRILLIANT GLENAVON SCORES FOUR AT SHAMROCK PARK

Portadown 2 Glenavon 4

Euro Electrix Mid Ulster Cup

First Round

Shamrock Park, Lurgan

Tuesday 1^st September 2026

A much-changed Glenavon side defeated an almost full strength Portadown XI 4-2 at Shamrock Park to progress to the second round of the Euro Electrix Mid Ulster Cup.

The Lurgan club produced some of its best attacking football at the West Craigavon venue since the 5-0 Irish Cup quarter final success in March 2017.

Niall Quinn (51 mins), Ethan Devine (74 mins), Jude Johnson (80 mins) and Alex Watson (88 mins) scored the goals for Michael O’Connor’s side. James Teelan (49 mins) and Michael Hewitt (55 mins) were on target for David Jeffrey’s men.

Former Glenavon favourite Conor Falls shot well wide with the first goal attempt of the match.

Ryan Waide was off target with an attempted near post header from Luke McGerrigan’s corner-kick cross.

When right-back Alex Watson released McGerrigan, the teenager picked out Waide with a precision pass from near the by-line, but the seven-goal striker shot straight at a defender on the goal line.

Jack Scott was off target with a long-range effort.

Brandon Doyle’s weak effort from distance was easily saved by Jamie Barry.

Eamon Fyfe controlled a ball from the left wing, cut inside and sent a curling attempt past the far post.

Doyle’s well hit half-volley from Peter Maguire’s neat flick was straight at Barry.

Just before half time, Watson’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked by a defender.

Portadown produced a much-improved performance during the first fifteen minutes of the second half.

James Teelen put the home side in front when he skilfully weaved his way past two defenders, dribbled the ball along the by-line and shot past Byrne from what seemed an impossible angle.

Glenavon equalised almost immediately. Maguire won a back post header from McGerrigan’s corner-kick. When the ball was partially cleared Niall Quinn pounced to beat Barry from 12 yards.

A disputed decision by referee Niall Devlin to award Portadown a free kick after what appeared an innocuous challenge on Conor Falls by Brandon Doyle led to the Ports’ second goal. Ben Kennedy took the set-piece and crossed for the unmarked Michael Hewitt to head past Byrne.

Eamon Fyfe missed a gilt-edged chance to extend the home side’s lead when he headed Matthew Carson’s pinpoint cross wide from a few yards.

Teelan’s shot was saved easily by Byrne.

Jordan McMullan’s effort was blocked on the edge of the penalty area.

When Waide crossed from the left, Doyle stretched but was unable to connect with it at the near post. Barry gathered the ball comfortably.

With twenty minutes to go, both sides made four substitutions. Glenavon introduced first team regulars Paddy Burns, Peter Campbell, Ethan Devine and Jude Johnson.

Dominic Dos Santos Martins’ shot was on target but did not threaten to beat Byrne.

When Benjamin Wells crossed, Falls headed wide at the back post.

Devine went down on the edge of the six yards area following a clumsy challenge from a defender, but the visitors’ appeals for a penalty kick were turned away.

However, less than thirty seconds later, Lewis MacKinnon bundled Peter Campbell over on the left side of the box and, this time, Devlin pointed to the spot.

Devine took the kick himself and coolly slotted the ball into the net.

With ten minutes remaining, Glenavon took a deserved lead. Alex Watson won a header; Campbell hooked the ball into the space behind him; and Jude Johnson ran clear of the Ports’ defence to shoot past Barry from 15 yards.

Within two minutes Portadown had a chance to equalise. A corner-kick led to a header which fell to Liam Jessop only a few yards out. The substitute seemed certain to score but shot just over the crossbar.

Alex Watson, one of the Lurgan men’s best players on the night, played a one-two with Campbell, burst past two defenders and hit an unstoppable drive from 19 yards which flew into the corner of the net.

Throughout the game Glenavon’s understrength side passed the ball with purpose and accuracy. It thoroughly deserved its 4-2 success.

PORTADOWN: Barry, Carson, Scott, Altintop, MacKinnon, Dos Santos Martins, Hewitt, Kennedy, Falls, Fyfe, Teelan, SUBS: McCarey (not used), Chapman (not used), Towe for Fyfe (68 mins), Jessop for Kennedy (68 mins), Wells for Scott (68 mins), O’Mahoney King for Teelan (68 mins), Flanagan (not used).

Yellow Cards: MacKinnon (71’), Altintop (88’).

GLENAVON: Byrne, Watson, McMullan, Cartwright, Maguire, McGerrigan, Healy, Patton, B. Doyle, Waide, Quinn, SUBS: Donnelly (not used), Burns for Waide (68 mins), Murphy (not used), Mountney (not used), Campbell for Patton (68 mins), Devine for Healy (68 mins), Johnson for Quinn (68 mins).

Yellow Card: Healy (43’).

REFEREE: Niall Devlin.