Bohs game a good test

Their hosts at Dalymount Park finally ended their winless run of 11 league games last Friday evening with a 3-1 victory over Bray Wanderers but are still without a manager after parting company with Aaron Callaghan.

Despite the club sitting just a point off the foot of the Airtricity League table, Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton is confident the game will be the toughest of his side’s pre-season. He wants his players to stake their claim for a starting spot ahead of their league opener at Ballymena.

He said: “It’s first and foremost about getting fitness but we want good performances and for people to show that they deserve to be in the team. The players need to make it impossible for me not to select them come the first match of the season.

“It’ll be a massive test. We’ll bring our strongest squad down. That’s not to say anyone who doesn’t go isn’t in our plans but we’ll bring our strongest 18-man squad at the minute.

“We’ll look to give a good account of ourselves. I’ve always said the League of Ireland is a step ahead of the Irish League. Over the course of a season, most League of Ireland teams would come out on top of our teams.

“If they play their first team, it’ll be a massive test for our boys.”