Tuesday 6th September 2022
Kick Off 7.45pm
Toal's County Antrim Shield
On Tuesday evening we welcome one of Ireland’s oldest clubs and one of Glentoran’s greatest friends, when Lisburn Distillery make their first competitive visit to the Oval since September 2012.
After a turbulent start to the close season (new manager Ray Alexander resigned just 6 weeks into his role and seven key players from last season moved on) Distillery are hoping that the appointment of former Cliftonville midfielder Barry Johnston as manager will finally see a turnaround in fortunes for a club that was playing Premiership football less than a decade ago but now reside in the lower reaches of the Premier Intermediate League. Johnston - previously in charge at BIPL club St James’ Swifts - has brought former Glentoran goalkeeper coach Ciaran Stitt with him as assistant and former Donegal Celtic and Glenavon full back Brendan Shannon is first team coach.
In terms of playing staff, there are 2 names who are likely to be familiar to Glentoran supporters; Right Back Aaron Smyth spent a few games at the Oval under Alan Kernaghan in 2016 and left back Ethan Warnock holds the record for being the youngest outfield debutant in Glentoran history, when he was handed a starting place by Gary Haveron away to Ballinamallard as a 15 year old in December 2016. The promising youngster earned a move to Everton’s academy before returning home to sign for Ballymena United. He later ended up at Dundela and the Welders before arriving at New Grosvenor this summer.
It has, however, been a low-key start to the League Campaign for the Whites; heavily beaten at Bangor in their open fixture before drawing 0-0 at home to Portstewart and losing 2-1 away to relegated Queens University at the Dub
Mick McDermott: I was very pleased with the performance and result v Newry City on Saturday. It was very positive that we were able to move up a gear in the second half and came out at the end as thoroughly deserved winners. I was very pleased to see Ally and Bobby score their first goals for the club.
So here we are with the County Antrim Shield and another game at the Bet McLean Oval against Lisburn Distillery, one of the great old clubs of football in Northern Ireland. This is another trophy for us to contest. Our aim is always to win; and we will select a team that we expect to win on the night. We will prepare as always and show respect to our opponents.
We, as players and staff need to understand how virtually all teams set up when they come to the Oval, and we need to know how overcome it. Everyone raises their game against Glentoran, and every team comes here to stop us from playing. We accept that challenge and Distillery in this game will be no different.”
This game is pay at the gate, with prices set at £10 (£5 for concessions).
Young Conor McMenamin in a pre season friendly at Ballyskeagh in 2015
