Tuesday 10th May
7.45pm Kick Off
Tomorrow evening we welcome Glenavon to the Bet McLean Oval for the semi-final of the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs.
In the one previous meeting between Glentoran and Glenavon in the European Play-Offs, the two sides went into the game in reverse order to tonight’s fixture; the seventh place Glens travelling to Mourneview Park to face Gary Hamilton’s 3rd placed Lurgan Blues.
After taking the lead through Darren Murray after 27 minutes, Glentoran were pegged back in first half injury time by a goal from a future signing when Caolan Marron drove home a low shot into the bottom corner beyond Dwayne Nelson.
A great half volleyed strike from Curtis Allen two minutes into the second half restored the Glentoran advantage but, 7 minutes later, Hamilton’s side pulled level thanks to another future Glentoran signing; striker Andrew Mitchell thundering a free kick from just outside the box past a static Nelson.
With the game now playing at a frenetic pace and both sets of supporters in full voice, there was barely another minute on the clock when Glentoran restored the lead. An uncharacteristic mistake from Robbie Garrett in midfield left Robbie McDaid with a clear sight of goal and he made no mistake after rounding Johnny Tuffey and slotting the ball home. Having regained the impetus so swiftly, Glentoran sensed the chance to finish the game off and did so after 76th minute when Murray outfoxed defender Seamus Sharkey to give himself a clear run at Tuffey in the home goal and deftly flick it beyond him into the bottom corner and secure a Final place against Cliftonville at Solitude (which the Reds ultimately went on to win 2-0 the following Saturday).
With Hamilton having rang the changes for the final league game at home to Warrenpoint - a youthful side losing 2-1 to an injury time Alan O’Sullivan goal - his line-up tonight is likely to see Sean Ward, James Singleton, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Peter Campbell, Danny Wallace, Mark Haughey, Matthew Snoddy, Calum Birney and Robbie Garrett recalled, while teenage Goalkeeper Josh Clarke should continue in the absence of ex-Glentoran stopper James Taylor. Midfielder Conor McCloskey could be a doubt, however, having missed the past two games after being substituted in a 1-0 win at Carrick Rangers.
Mick McDermott: “This is my second experience of the playoffs, and it is an arena that is highly competitive with each team fighting for their futures! My first experience was shortly after taking over here, when we went to Mourneview and put in an outstanding performance to win 4-2. The squad has changed a lot since that night, but I’m confident we have that sort of performance up our sleeve and that we can get the result we want tonight by performing as we all know we can.
It’s vital that the fans come in great numbers and create a great, positive atmosphere for the players. Even though we did not win against Cliftonville, there were many occasions in that match when the fans made a lot of very supportive noise, That’s what the players need in these playoff games! Our fans have been brilliant in terms of both numbers and noise, and they have a great part to play in getting us over the line tonight and hopefully in the final on Friday.
We have a full squad to pick from and we expect a massive test against Glenavon. They have a very strong squad that is quite capable of beating any team in our league and they have put in some very strong performances against top six teams this season. So we need to show them the upmost respect while concentrating on our own game and putting in the required performance.”
As always at home matches, we strongly request that supporters respect the rights of the local residents by parking well away from housefronts in the immediate locality. There is plenty of available parking at the Holywood Arches Heath Centre.
The match will be streamed live by GlensTV with Performa Sports for those unable to make it to the Bet McLean Oval.
The stream will cost £10 and will be available online at the following site from our own bespoke club page here
https://performatv.com/game/glentoran-vs-glenavon-10-05-22
The game will be filmed by David Kerr of GlensTV. Commentator for the match will be Aaron Agnew, alongside our all-time record appearance maker Colin Nixon.
