GLENAVON SCORES THREE LATE GOALS TO DEFEAT NINE-MAN LOUGHGALL

Glenavon 4 Loughgall 1

BOYLE Sports Championship

Mourneview Park, Lurgan

Friday 25^th September 2026

Glenavon scored four second half goals to defeat Loughgall in a dramatic contest in which the Villagers had two players sent off.

Ryan Waide (58, 90+1 mins), Jordan McMullan (84 mins) and Jude Johnson (87 mins) scored the goals for Michael O’Connor’s side. Paul McElroy (2 mins) was on target for the visitors.

Loughgall stunned the home side by scoring in its first attack. Kirk McLaughlin released Jon Graham on the left. The winger crossed for McElroy to elude Peter Maguire and skilfully side foot the ball past Mark Byrne from eight yards.

Glenavon immediately went in search of an equaliser.

Luke McGerrigan’s cross cum shot from a free kick 17 yards out eluded everyone including Harry Murphy who almost got a decisive touch at the far post.

Moments later Kirk McLaughlin found himself in space 25 yards from goal. With Byrne off his line, an opportunity to chip the goalkeeper presented itself. However, the shot lacked elevation and the Newry-based custodian was able to catch the ball comfortably.

Loughgall again threatened Glenavon’s goal when it was awarded a free-kick 20 yards out. Frankie Wilson’s shot was blocked by the wall and Darragh Stewart’s follow-up effort was too high.

Paddy Burns hit the crossbar with a header from Peter Campbell’s cross, but the attempt would not have counted due to an offside flag.

Ethan Devine turned sharply and shot wide from 20 yards after Burns found him in space with a quick throw-in.

Peter Campbell had a promising opening when a defensive header fell to him 16 yards out. However, the Richhill man lacked composure and shot wildly over the bar.

McLaughlin’s right foot shot from 15 yards was saved by Byrne at the base of a post.

At the start of the second half, Glenavon introduced top scorer Ryan Waide, right winger Jude Johnson and veteran defender Niall Quinn.

Luke McGerrigan made a promising run but a timely block by Loughgall captain Robbie Norton took the pace off his shot. Ross Glendinning saved easily.

McLaughlin’s attempt from 15 yards was deflected over the crossbar by a defender.

A clever back-heel by Ryan Waide left Peter Campbell with just Glendinning to beat but the winger’s left foot shot was saved by the former Carrick Rangers and Ballymena United goalkeeper.

Following its best attacking move of the match, Glenavon equalised. Ethan Devine and Jordan McMullan linked up well on the right, Jude Johnson played a slide rule pass and Waide coolly stroked the ball into the net from eight yards.

Loughgall lost its first player when Peter Campbell made a quick break through the middle. Referee Mark Milligan produced a red card after Scott McCann upended the Richhill man from behind. Ryan Waide and Robbie Norton were both booked when they clashed in the aftermath.

Niall Quinn’s cross from the left was partially cleared at the far post and Peter Campbell blasted wide from 12 yards when he looked certain to score.

Jude Johnson’s shot from 20 yards was saved easily.

In the 73^rd minute Norton was given a second yellow card for a foul challenge on Alex Watson.

Seconds after entering the fray, Deaglan Healy headed Johnson’s dangerous over the crossbar.

Waide shot wide after a Campbell cross had been partially cleared and was just off target with an outrageous overhead kick after good work by McMullan.

Quinn and McGerrigan both shot wide from 20 yards.

Jordan McMullan scored Glenavon’s second goal. The North Antrim man beat Niko Lovrekovic and Reece Jordan on the right, slipped the ball to Jude Johnson who immediately laid it off and then let fly from 6 yards. Conor Kerr partially blocked the attempt, but the rising ball still crept into the net at the far post. It was Jordan’s first goal for Glenavon.

Three minutes later Jude Johnson made it 3-1. The increasingly influential Luke McGerrigan split the defence with an incisive through ball which Johnson controlled well and coolly slotted through Glendinning’s legs into the net.

Ryan Waide added a fourth with a close-range shot after substitute Stephen Mallon picked him out lurking with intent on the edge of the six yard box.

Although undoubtedly aided by Loughgall’s loss of two players to red cards, Michael O’Connor’s side played some exhilarating football in the closing minutes to record a convincing 4-1 victory.

GLENAVON: Byrne, McMullan, Burns, H. Murphy, Maguire, McGerrigan, Mountney, Watson, Devine, B. Doyle, Campbell, SUBS: Waide for B. Doyle (half-time), Patton (not used), Healy for Watson (74 mins), Mallon for Burns (82 mins), Henderson (not used), Johnson for Mountney (half-time), Quinn for H. Murphy (half-time).

Yellow Cards: Murphy (19’), Devine (38’), Burns (45+2’), Johnson (56’), Waide (64’).

LOUGHGALL: Glendinning, Wilson, Carson, Kerr, Jordan, Norton, Graham, McLaughlin, McElroy, Stewart, McCann, SUBS: Henry (not used), Lovrekovic for Carson (82 mins), C. Murphy for Stewart (72 mins), O’Hara for McElroy (72 mins), Anderson for McLaughlin (72 mins).

Yellow Cards: Stewart (30’), Norton (64’), Norton (73’), Stuart Addis (85’).

Red Cards: McCann (63’), Norton (73’).

REFEREE: Mark Milligan.