Boss targets cup run

Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton is targeting an Irish Cup run.
Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton - seeking good cup run.Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton - seeking good cup run.
Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton - seeking good cup run.

The Blues begin their campaign against Championship Two side Sport & Leisure Swifts at Mourneview Park on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Their opponents have won just two of their 15 league games so far this season.

However, Hamilton still isn’t taking anything for granted.

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He said: “We know bits and pieces about them. We know they’ll be well up for it. It’s the same for any junior side coming up against a senior team. They’ll want to give a good account of themselves.

“We’ve seen it before that upsets can happen. Newington beat Glentoran a couple of years ago. Hopefully we will show up with the right attitude though, put in the performance to get the result and can look forward to the draw. We have to be switched on and we have to start well. The longer the game goes on without a breakthrough, the harder it gets.”

If Saturday’s game does go his side’s way, Hamilton is targeting the club’s first Irish Cup final appearance since they lost 1-0 to Glentoran after extra time some 16 years ago, back in 1998.

“We want to get to the final,” he said. “A lot of that is down to the luck of the draw though. It hasn’t been kind to us over the past few seasons.

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“We need it to be kind to us, although at the end of the day, to win it we’ll have to beat any team that comes our way.

“Last year, we got to the sixth round so it would be great to get further this year.”

Glenavon also have a league game with Glentoran on Tuesday night at Mourneview Park with a 7.45pm kick-off.

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