Glebe glee at return to action

Weather permitting, Glebe welcome Ballinamallard to the Riada Stadium in the fifth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup.

It will be Glebe's first game in exactly a month since a narrow defeat away to Carrick Rangers in the league after the fixture list was decimated by the big freeze across the province.

Not only have Glebe been unable to play, they have also been prevented from training outside at the Joey Dunlop Centre.

In order to keep trim over the festive period, Donaghy's charges have been hitting the gym.

"We haven't kicked a ball in anger for a month now," he told Times Sport.

"But we've been in the gym and doing various different things in order to keep the fitness levels up.

"However I won't know how successful that training has been until an hour into Tuesday night's game.

"We've done all we could do. The players weren't just left to their own devices.

"While they've been in the gym there has always been someone looking over them and the boys have worked hard.

"As I said the acid test will be on Tuesday evening but I am certainly happy as manager."

The enforced prolonged break across Irish League football as past few weeks has been met with frustration by players, managers and fans alike, but Donaghy believes Glebe may be able to turn the situation to their advantage.

"I'm looking forward to Ballinamallard at home," he said.

"Last year they beat us 1-0 and we drew 2-2 so that sets the game up nicely.

"I think they deserved the 1-0 victory but I think we were very unlucky in the other game.

"We haven't played since December 19 and the next few results could have a big impact on our season.

"I just can't wait to get going.

"Hopefully we can get into a bit of a run.

"I believe the break could even be a blessing in disguise.

"The results we had prior to the break were poor enough really.

"If we were coming off three or four wins in a row it would have been different but it has given us a chance to regroup. It could work in our favour."

Glebe Rangers versus Ballinamallard United kicks off at 8pm tonight.

Glebe are also on cup duty this weekend - away to Larne in the third round of the WKD Intermediate Cup.