GLENAVON’S SENSATIONAL MID-ULSTER CUP WIN AGAINST PORTADOWN: REFLECTIONS 1f5dn

Tuesday’s meeting between Glenavon and Portadown in the Mid-Ulster Cup produced one of Mourneview Park’s most exciting nights of recent seasons. Glenavon won a rip-roaring contest 2-1. 266g2h

The victory came four days after Stephen McDonnell’s team defeated the Ports 2-1 in the Sports Direct Irish Premiership.

The divisional cup quarter-final clash produced two contrasting sides. Glenavon, as McDonnell had promised, made a raft of changes. Only Matthew Snoddy and Harry Lynch were retained from the eleven which had performed so well last weekend. In addition to Lynch (18 years), the home side selected David Toure (20 years), Christopher Atherton (15 years), Jamie Doran (20 years), Paul McGovern (16), Kyron Wiseman-McGee (17) and Ben Wilson (16). The average age of the starting eleven was 21.9 years. Matthew Allen (16 years) and Calum Hamilton (17 years) were included amongst the substitutes.

Niall Currie, by contrast, retained nine of the eleven which had represented Portadown in the league clash. The two new faces were the vastly experienced Ross Redman and Ryan Mayse.

It looked to be a collision between wily experience and callow youth. Wily experience looked certain, it appeared, to prevail. But that’s not how it worked out. The Glenavon youngsters’ energy, pace and talent emasculated the visitors’ hard-nosed physicality and steely resolve.

Christopher Atherton, who made his senior debut two years ago at the age of 13 years and 329 days, scored the first goal with a magical finish following a brilliant run by another emerging talent, Jamie Doran.

Late in the match, Chris, delivered the cross from which Michael O’Connor, himself a contender for ‘Player of the Match’, headed the winner.

Glenavon ers celebrated with the same enthusiasm they had shown following David McDaid’s 90th minute winner last weekend.

The talented young players who started included:

Chris Atherton. A member of the Glenavon Academy since the age of 5. The club’s youngest ever senior player. A Northern Ireland U-16 and U-17 international. 

Paul McGovern. Nurtured by Windmill Stars, a County Down club renowned for producing young talent. Signed for Glenavon in August 2024 after leaving Newry City. Younger brother of John McGovern. A member of County Armagh’s SuperCupNI squad. A Northern Ireland U-17 international.

Kyron Wiseman-McGee. ed in January 2024. A native of Dundalk. Has been a mainstay of the U-20s side this season.  

Ben Wilson. ed in 2020 from Banbridge Rangers. Made his senior debut against Crusaders in September. A member of the County Down SuperCupNI squadwhich, a few months ago, reached the under-16 semi-finals.

The Mid-Ulster Cup win was chiselled from brilliant recruitment and years of dedicated endeavour by the Glenavon Academy’s unpaid but highly talented coaches. Little wonder the Academy is widely acknowledged to be one of the best in the Province.

In the last twelve months Josh Gracey (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Troy Savage (Burnley) have ed top English clubs.

Jason King (Academy Chairman), Geoff Magee (Academy Manager) and Chris McCann (Head of Academy) felt justly proud.

Chris Chambers, manager of the U-20 development squad, was also thrilled with the performance. He is the man who works most closely with Atherton, McGovern, Wiseman-McGee and Wilson.

“It was a brilliant night,” he reflected. “The youngsters were superb. They played without fear and showed how talented they are. They are so young yet so mature. It is a real pleasure to work with lads who have so much potential and are so keen to learn.”

Chris has one of the youngest squads in NIFL’s Development League. He is noticeably enthused about Mourneview Park’s conveyor belt of talent. “We have so many good young players,” he said. “It augurs well for the future.”

“Opportunity is the key word,” Chris continued. “Our Academy has benefitted so much by having first-team managers like Gary Hamilton and now Stephen McDonnell to work alongside. Stephen, like Gary before him, wants to give young players opportunities. He involves them in the senior team’s training sessions, puts them on the bench on Saturdays and, obviously, includes them in starting elevens. The lads can see that there is a pathway right into the first team and perhaps even further than that.”

Chris, who has been on the coaching staff for twelve years, has been a Glenavon fan since childhood. “My father, who stills regularly attends games, brought me from no age. I love working with young players. It is a real privilege to be able to do that with the club I .”

Stephen McDonnell, who has helped to turn Glenavon’s season around after a shaky start, was also delighted with the win against Portadown.

“It was an unbelievable performance,” he said. “Portadown had a very experienced 18-man squad whereas we had mainly young players with a sprinkling of older lads. But our team played with real energy and a great work ethic. It was refreshing to watch. It demonstrates the depth of the talent pool we have. Our Academy coaches deserve so much credit. They have developed many of these lads over a long period.”

The Glenavon Chairman, Glenn Emerson, who was a coach at the Academy for many years and only relinquished the role at the end of last season, was equally effusive.

“That was an outstanding display,” he reflected. “We thoroughly deserved to win. The young lads were a breath of fresh air. They played with such enthusiasm and their talent shone through. I know all about the quality work our Academy does. Tonight’s win demonstrated again the value of nurturing and developing youth. It is something which is in Glenavon’s DNA. So long as I am chairman, we will continue to give it huge emphasis and .”

The Glenavon’s Academy, ironically, was the main sponsor for the Mid-Ulster Cup tie. Jason King and his colleagues were guests in the boardroom. They no doubt appreciated the hospitality. But the feast their proteges provided on the pitch was probably even more appetising!