With high-flying Larne as opponents, Mick McDermott tells the Gazette he is expecting another tough battle between the sides. However, the Gazette team point out that although Larne are defensively sound and have plenty of firepower they have lost to three top six sides recently. We also highlight two of today’s opponents who are very much looking to the future and have a quick rundown of the career of new signing, Niall McGinn.
Mick McDermott has issued the following updates and statement.
Tuesday 10th January 2023
Kick Off 7.45pm
Tomorrow we host Ballymena United in the rearranged Danske Bank Premiership abandoned due to bad weather on 30th September 2022. United are currently in seventh place, nine points behind us, although we have a game in hand.
This one provides the Glens with a very early opportunity to reverse last week’s New Year defeat at the Showgrounds. A piece of good news is that Shay McCartan has now completed his seven-game suspension so will be available to face his former club.
Our January transfer business has opened with the signing of Northern Ireland international winger Niall McGinn from Dundee FC on a contract to the end of 2023-24 season.
Niall needs no introduction to supporters of NIFL clubs, having started his career with his local club, Dungannon Swifts before joining Derry City in 2008. Highlights of his full-time career have been spells with Celtic, Aberdeen and Brentford. Niall has 72 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring six goals and is still a regular squad member.
Welcome to the Oval Niall.
Tickets for tomorrow evening's rearranged home game remain on sale at the Ticket Page on this website. We can confirm that all tickets bought for the original abandoned match on 30th September 2022 remain valid for tomorrow evening.
Also tickets for Saturday's Danske Bank Premiership home match with Larne are also available at the same page.
There were starts for Aaron Wightman, Mal Smith and Joe Crowe in today's Irish Cup tie at Castledawson. Wightman started on the right side of midfield with Mal Smith playing at right back (Rhys Marshall moving into midfield) and Joe Crowe partnered Paddy McClean in the centre of the defence. It was a cross from Aaron Wightman that caused problems for the home defence in the opening minute! Rory Donnelly met it with his head, forcing Andrew Findlay to make an excellent save. From the resulting corner a header from skipper Marcus Kane came off the crossbar before being cleared.
Saturday 9th January 2023
Kick Off 3.00pm
On Saturday we look to end our poor run as we travel to Castledawson to play Moyola Park in the fifth round of the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup
Officials at Moyola Park FC have advised us of the following for Glentoran supporters travelling to Castledawson on Saturday:
Whilst there is parking at the ground, additional parking is available at 'Superseal Window' in Bridge Street (see below).
Glentoran, backed by a large travelling support, travelled to the Ballymena Showgrounds on a bitterly cold January afternoon looking to get their title challenge back on track following a string of disappointing performances and results. Unfortunately, the wait for a win goes on.
Monday 2nd January 2023
Kick Off 3.00pm
Tomorrow we begin the new year with our first trip of the season to Ballymena Showgrounds to face David Jeffrey’s eighth placed United.
