Glenavon recover to dominate Newry City at The Showgrounds
Newry City suffered a heavy home defeat as Glenavon overturned Saturday’s opening-day loss to Ards with a convincing 4-1 victory at The Showgrounds. The Lurgan club’s win was built on a fine attacking display from Ryan Waide, who scored a hat-trick, including a memorable long-range strike.
The match swung early in Glenavon’s favour. A goal by Peter Campbell was ruled out for offside on eight minutes, but there was little doubt when Waide opened the scoring shortly afterwards. He finished from close range after a slick one-two with Campbell and had the Lurgan side in control.
"His third goal will be remembered for some time."
Newry responded and found an equaliser before the half-hour mark. Pablo Andrade capitalised on a low cross from the right by Scott McCullough which Glenavon goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly failed to hold, tapping home from close range to make it 1-1 and spark a lively spell for the hosts.
Despite that revival, Glenavon regained the ascendancy in the second half. Waide completed his hat-trick as the Lurgan Blues pulled clear, the third of his goals notable for its distance — a half-volley from around 40 yards that the home goalkeeper could not keep out.
Newry had moments after levelling, most notably when Ryan Swan struck the foot of the post while attempting to put the hosts ahead. Goalkeeper Jason Craughwell produced a couple of important stops to keep Newry in the game during the first half, including denying a one-on-one opportunity involving Campbell and Waide. But Glenavon’s attacking pair continued to cause problems and ultimately made the difference.
Match details and implications
The result will be seen as an emphatic response by Glenavon following their earlier defeat to Ards, and it lifts pressure on a side viewed among the pre-season title hopefuls. For Newry City, the loss raises questions about defensive concentration at key moments and the need to convert pressure spells into clear chances.
- Competition: Boyle Sports Championship
- Venue: The Showgrounds
- Final score: Newry City 1 – Glenavon 4
- Notable performer: Ryan Waide (hat-trick)
| Team | Score | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Newry City | 1 | Pablo Andrade |
| Glenavon | 4 | Ryan Waide (3) and one disallowed goal by Peter Campbell initially, with other chances involving Campbell and Jude Johnson noted |
Newry briefly grew into the contest after Andrade’s equaliser, buoyed by support from the home crowd. Swan’s hold-up play and McCullough’s overlapping runs provided openings down the right, but Glenavon’s resilience and clinical finishing ultimately settled the tie.
Glenavon’s performance underlined why they remain among the sides tipped for success in the division; their response to criticism and an opening-day defeat was decisive. Newry City, for their part, will look to regroup and address the lapses that allowed the visitors back into the game after the hosts had fought to draw level.
Elsewhere in the Boyle Sports Championship on the same day, Annagh beat Rathfriland Rangers 4-2 with Craig Taylor scoring twice, Darren Murphy’s Loughgall came from two down to draw 2-2 with Newington, and Warrenpoint Town defeated Armagh City 2-0 at Milltown. These results contribute to an early-season picture of a competitive division with several clubs posting strong performances.
Newry City now face a period in which converting possession and momentum into more consistent goal-scoring opportunities will be vital if they are to recover ground in the league. Glenavon, by contrast, will take confidence from both the goals and the manner of the win as they press on in the campaign.
