LINFIELD V GLENAVON, A LOOK AHEAD 243x1u

On Saturday 15th March 2025 Glenavon faces Linfield at the National Stadium. It is the club’s penultimate fixture before the Premiership splits into two sections. 113l2o

Paddy McLaughlin was understandably delighted with his charges’ performance in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Glentoran on Wednesday night.
“I am proud of the players,” he said. “They were exceptional in the first half and fully deserved to be 2-0 ahead. Maybe we rocked a bit for 20 minutes after half time and conceded a couple of soft goals. But then we rallied, got back to playing the football we had played earlier and had a strong last 15-20 minutes.”

The Glenavon boss felt that the condition of the pitch helped his team. “The surface was firm, flat, freshly cut and there was a dew which allowed the ball to move quickly,” he continued. “It suited us because we have so many technically gifted players. We were able to the ball accurately and at pace.”

Peter Campbell, in excellent form since Paddy’s arrival, delivered the final / cross for the opening two goals and was involved in the build up to the third. “He was exceptional again,” added McLaughlin. “But it is no surprise. He is a top, top player. He always works his socks off for the team. Every week his running stats are through the roof.”

Glenavon was, of course, without central defenders Barney McKeown and Harry Murphy. Niall Quinn returned to the back four and Harry Lynch started the match. “Niall and Harry were excellent,” added Paddy. “Niall is a class player, pure and simple, and Harry is one of the best emerging talents in the country. Obviously, we would prefer to have had more options, but I cannot fault the lads who played.”

When asked if he is surprised at the progress which the team has made in recent months, Paddy was fulsome in his praise. “This group has an unbelievable work ethic and appetite to learn,” he said. “They are also a tight unit. They don’t know the meaning of defeat. It has been a pleasure to work with them. I don’t know what things were like before I arrived, but I see lots of very talented players, many of them young players, all over the pitch. There is so much competition for places. We hope to bring in more quality in the summer but the potential of the squad we already have is scary.”

Nonetheless, the trip to the National Stadium to face Linfield brings obvious challenges. “This is the toughest fixture of the lot,” added Paddy. “Linfield are the best team in the league and are about to be crowned champions. But it will be a really good test for us. We are going there to get a result. Confidence in our dressing room is high. There is no reason why we cannot play as well as we did at the Oval.”

Again, Glenavon faces major availability and injury problems. Michael O’Connor is suspended. Paul McGovern and Ben Wilson are with the Northern Ireland U-18 squad. Niall Quinn was forced to leave the pitch in second half injury time on Wednesday night with what might be a bad hamstring pull. Chris Atherton has had a recurrence of the ankle knock he picked up at Loughgall and Sean Carlin is struggling with a tight quod. Tadhg Ryan is still battling with an elbow problem.

“We had to patch people up to play on Wednesday and it will be the same on Saturday,” added Paddy. “We are working hard to get players fit but there is only limited time to do that. But if some of the lads don’t make it, I have no concerns about bringing in young players. Thanks to the quality of our Academy, we have lots of talented youngsters ready to step up.”

When the clubs met at Mourneview Park in August, the visitors won 3-0 courtesy of two goals by Joel Cooper. In December Linfield also emerged the 1-0 winner at the National Stadium.

Glenavon v Linfield, Last Season

Date

Result

15/08/23

Linfield 4 Glenavon 2

16/12/23

Glenavon 0 Linfield 2

10/02/24

Glenavon 2 Linfield 2

Other Glenavon teams in action:

(Free ission to all games)

  • Saturday 15th March 2025 – Portadown U-18s v Glenavon U-18s, Mid-Ulster Youth Cup semi-final, Kernan Playing Fields, 1115 k.o.
  • Saturday 15th March 2025 – Glenavon U-16s v Newry City U-16s, St. Patrick’s, Banbridge, 3G, 1115 k.o.
  • Saturday 15th March 2025 – Glenavon U-15s v Crusaders U-15s, Lurgan Junior High School 3G, 0930 k.o.