Fruday 12th August 2022
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow night we start the new season as we finished the last one, with a match against Larne, this time at Inver Park.
Larne Manager Tiernan Lynch has overhauled his squad this summer, with former Sunderland youngster Jack McIntyre brought in to compete with Rohan Ferguson for the goalkeeper jersey and three arrivals from Cliftonville - defender Aaron Donnelly, attacking midfielder Daniel Kearns and former Glentoran striker Paul O’Neill. In addition to Kearns, Lynch’s midfield options have further been bolstered in the form of highly rated former Ballymena United Captain Leroy Millar and former NI U21 International Shea Gordon from Partick Thistle.
In terms of departures, midfielders Lee Lynch and Dean Jarvis have joined Coleraine and former Glentoran playmaker Navid Nasseri has been released. Strikers Ronan Hale and David McDaid - both scorers of match winning goals at the Oval last season - have joined Cliftonville and Ballymena United, respectively. Defender Kofi Balmer this week has joined Crystal Palace.
We also enter the new season with a number of additions to the squad in Alistair Roy, Aidan Wilson, James Singleton and Ollie Webber all likely to be in the first squad of the season. Plus of course the return to the club of Danny Purkis after six years away.
It’s fair to say Larne enjoyed much the better of last season’s encounters between the sides; in the 6 fixtures played, they triumphed against us in the County Antrim Shield and the second league encounter at Inver Park (the first game ended a 1-1 draw) and won 3-2 in the league game at the Oval on New Year’s Day (the second game in April a tepid 0-0 draw) before winning 4-2 in the European Play-Off Final a few weeks later.
Our most recent victory over Larne was most memorable for Conor McMenamin’s winner in the league game that secured European football for us in May 2021. A repeat of that result would be a welcome start to the new season. A repeat of that result would be a welcome start to the new season.
Mick McDermott: “As is the case every year…. it’s a time of excitement and enthusiasm as the season starts. Our fans and community have their hopes and dreams for the season ahead; the players are eager to get started. With humility and hunger we accept the expectations and challenges ahead.
We couldn’t ask for a better fixture to start the season: Live on TV on Friday night! Now is not a time for talking. It’s a time for action.
I wish everyone in the Glentoran family a successful season ahead.”
For those unable to attend, this match will be shown live on the BBC iPlayer.
