MARK HAUGHEY TO LEAVE GLENAVON 56d5g

Mark Haughey played his last competitive game for Glenavon in Saturday’s easy 4-0 victory against Carrick Rangers at Taylor’s Avenue. The big Newry-born defender took the field as a 61st minute substitute. It was his seventh appearance this season and first since the week before Christmas. 5dv1a

He started his career as a 14-year-old in the Glenavon Academy, made his senior debut against Linfield at the age of 16 and was a stalwart first team member until he ed the Belfast Blues in 2013.

The 34 year old returned to Mourneview Park in the summer of 2021 and quickly re-established himself as an important member of the squad. However, in December 2022 he sustained a career-altering ACL injury during a Premiership fixture against Larne. Although, after surgery and a long rehabilitation programme, he was able to return to first team action, he has been blighted by recurring knocks.

He was granted a Benefit when he signed his last contract. That fundraiser will end this summer with a special challenge match against his former club, Linfield.

“I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Glenavon’s directors, managers, coaches, volunteers and ers for the fabulous way they have treated me, since I arrived 20 years ago,” said Mark. “The people are what makes any club and at Mourneview Park there are lots of special people. When I left Linfield four years ago, although I had several offers, there was only one place I was going to continue my career. The only disappointment is that, due to injury, I have not been able to play as often as I would have wanted to. A big thank you to everyone for so much kindness and .”

Blues’ boss Paddy McLaughlin paid tribute to the Lisburn man. “Mark has been a model professional since he signed his first contract for Glenavon,” he said. “He has won every trophy in the local game and a host of personal awards. He has also been an inspiration to the young players he has nurtured and helped, not least Isaac Baird who has just come through the same battle against serious injury which he has faced.”

“It is a major disappointment that he has only been available for a handful of games since Colin Coates, Marty McCann and I arrived,” the Northwest native continued. “If we had had him, injury free and fully fit, it would undoubtedly have made us a better team.”

“We will have a further opportunity to acknowledge his contribution when we play Linfield in a few months. But, in the meantime, we wish him and his family well.”

Mark, in total, played 190 times for Glenavon, scored 12 goals and provided six assists.