DUNDELA V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday 5^th September 2026 Glenavon faces Dundela at Wilgar Park in its sixth BOYLE Sports Championship fixture.

Dundela has made a disappointing start to the league season. It drew its opening three matches versus Moyola Park (2-2), Ards (2-2) and Annagh United (2-2), but lost it next two versus Ballinamallard United (2-1) and Harland & Wolff Welders (2-0).

Glenavon manager Michael O’Connor is looking forward to the trip to East Belfast. However, he is under no illusions about the challenge which Dundela poses. “We are in good form with four wins and a draw from our last five matches,” he said. “But we are also conscious that the pitch is tight, has a slope and they play a style which we have not faced so far. But we will be ready and do our best to pick up another three points.”

The Belfast man was still reflecting on the team’s brilliant display in Tuesday night’s 4-2 win against Portadown at Shamrock Park. “I was really pleased with the boys,” he said. “I am not sure that it was our most complete performance to date but it was certainly very good. We were playing against a Premiership club which has invested heavily during the summer, yet we looked really comfortable. We controlled the match for long periods. In the first half we had most of the possession and played good football without troubling their goalkeeper. We got into great positions three or four times, but our final pass didn’t come off. We made changes midway through the second period and the lads who came on made a difference. We had a game plan; we executed it really well.”

Although O’Connor was a little disappointed that Glenavon lacked a sufficient cutting edge during the first half, he was not critical of his players. “I always tell the lads to be positive and ambitious,” he explained. “It is better if they try to play forward and it doesn’t come off than that they play safe and just move the ball sideways or backwards. On another evening our execution might have been better. There were some overhit passes, some under hit balls and some runs which weren’t well timed. But sometimes that happens.”

The Glenavon boss decided to rest Paddy Burns and opted to play Jordan McMullan at left back with Alex Watson moving from midfield to right back. “We watched Portadown against Coleraine and thought that James Teelan might give us a few problems, so we moved Jordy with his extra pace to the left and asked Alex to play on the other side of the back-four. Both full backs were very good and, obviously, later in the match Alex moved into midfield and scored the fourth goal.”

Michael was not surprised that Portadown looked most dangerous early in the second half. “I think their manager had a right go at them,” he said. “So, we knew that we would be facing a different animal after the break and would probably have to weather a storm. But we showed a lot of character. We equalised two minutes after they took the lead. Quinnie [Niall Quinn], who was excellent, again showed his quality with the left foot shot. When we went 2-1 down, we continued to play football.

We didn’t panic or start to hit it long. We kept the ball on the grass and continued to move it as we had been doing. Then, obviously, we got the penalty kick and the two late goals.”

The introduction, in particular, of Peter Campbell, Ethan Devine and Jude Johnson and the decision to move Watson back into midfield proved crucial. “We had always intended to bring those lads on,” Michael continued. “Deaglan Healy and Brandon Doyle were not likely to last the full 90 minutes. But when you bring on the sort of quality we had on the bench, it is bound to make a difference. Our substitutes have done well in all the games so far. I preach to the boys that it is potentially a fifteen or sixteen not an eleven-man game.”

Tuesday night was another demonstration of the potential of the younger members of Glenavon’s squad. “I know how good these lads are,” O’Connor added. “I see them in training. Young Deaglan Healy has been chomping at the bit to start a game. He’s had to be patient but, to be fair, anytime he has come on off the bench he has made us stronger. He has given me a lot to think about. Luke [McGerrigan] and Alex [Watson] were, again, two of the best players on the pitch. They also controlled the match against Rathfriland last Friday. Then Jude [Johnson] came on and scored the crucial third goal. We’re delighted with the progress they are all making. We just give them a platform, try to play in a way that brings out the best in them and let them do the rest.”

The boss was equally pleased with veterans Mark Patton and Niall Quinn. “Patto knows the game inside out. He’s been there and done it. Quinny is the same,” Michael said. “They are both excellent footballers and know how to help and encourage the younger boys. Quinny was super but he felt it a bit in his calf during the second half, so we took him off. He hasn’t been able to train much recently and has missed several games. But when he’s on the pitch, he makes a difference.”

Although Glenavon conceded two goals, O’Connor was happy with the contributions made by central defenders Luke Cartwright and Peter Maguire. “They were both brilliant,” he continued. “Obviously, Murph [Harry Murphy] picked up an injury last Thursday, so Peter came into the side against Rathfriland. On Tuesday Luke and Peter won their duels and were better in possession. But Murph is available again, so I have another headache in that department. But I am not complaining. These are the problems you want to have.”

Michael also had a word for talismanic frontman Peter Campbell. “He has accumulated a number of assists already as well as the goal against Strabane,” added the Belfast man. “When he’s at his best, we do well. He is a special player. During the summer he decided to stay with us. He wants to help get us back to the Premiership. He has made a great start to the season.”

O’Connor feels that, despite the euphoria which always accompanies a derby triumph, the players will be in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s trip to Wilgar Park. “I always say that it is important not to get too high after a win and not get too low following a defeat,” he said. “We know that the league is our bread and butter. Tuesday’s victory has put everyone into a positive mood. Now we are focused on Dundela and doing everything we can to pick up another three points.”

The news on the injury front is positive. “Stephen Mallon had a scan. He is likely to be able to resume light training very soon.”

Saturday’s fixture has the potential to be a stern examination of Glenavon’s progress since the start of August. Let’s hope that players can build on this week’s hugely encouraging win at Shamrock Park and produce another top-class display.