Manager happy with home draw

The Blues were drawn against either Premiership side, Institute or Ladbrokes.com Championship 1 side, Ballymoney United who drew 1-1 at Drumahoe on Saturday. Glenavon’s opponents were finalised last night (Wednesday) when the two sides met in the replay at Riada Park but boss, Marty Quinn wasn’t concerned which team made it through to meet his side.

“It’s a hard one to call,” he began after much deliberation.

“I don’t really have any preference. Ballymoney have shown they are capable, having got a draw at Institute on Saturday.

“I’m very pleased with the home draw in the next round anyway. I’d like to have avoided a Premiership team in the next round but Institute still have a bit of work to do against Ballymoney so there’s nothing guaranteed. We’ve got to be thankful for getting a home tie.”

Quinn also remains confident of going all the way to the final with his side, repeating the Cup runs he achieved in three years out of five during his spell at Coleraine.

“As I’ve said to the boys, you win four matches and you’re in the Irish Cup final, having the most glamorous day of your career,” he said.

“We’re going to go to the final, we’re going to go to the final, we’re going to go to the final:’ I keep pumping that into the boys and hopefully we can do that. I don’t see any reason why not and I’ve got a good feeling about it.

“Over the years, I told my players at Coleraine that we were going to go to finals and we got to three in five years so my ambition this season for Glenavon is to get a good league position and an Irish Cup final.”

Glenavon’s next Irish Cup game against either Institute or Ballymoney United will be played at Mourneview Park on Saturday, February 13, (kick-off 3pm).