With the new stadium at the Dub not yet ready for use, this first game of the season was played at Sport & Leisure’s ground at Glen Road on at damp cool day more like October than August. Suspensions and injuries meant that we were below full strength. Colin Miller and Fergus McBride each made their first team debuts.
In the first half, it was open, attacking football by both teams with many good chances not taken due to poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Ciaran Fox and Gerard Duff who was called to action after two minutes, palming away a good free kick from Niall Lavery. At the other end James Lavery was one on one with Fox who did well to block the striker’s shot. Queen’s Mark Prenter suffered a broken arm and was replaced by newcomer Fergus McBride. Queen’s, Connor Mulholland fired over top and on the half time whistle Lurgan Celtic had a good headed chance just wide. So many chances but no goals in an entertaining first 45 minutes.
Four minutes after the break, Queen’s took the lead when midfielder Paddy Donnelly ran on to a good pass on the right wing from Fergus McBride, turned inside and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal.
As the second half progressed, Lurgan, got more and more on top and it was no surprise when Raymond Fitzpatrick equalised from close range with 68 minutes gone. The winner came 12 minutes from the end when Celtic’s impressive substitute, Aaron Haire, lashed home a great left footer from a narrow angle to give his side a deserved victory.
Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, C. Miller, S. Harper, M. McManus, P. Prenter, K. Briggs, P. Donnelly, P. Smyth, M. Prenter, J. Lavery, C. Mulholland.
Subs: R. Budden, F. McBride, R. Murphy
Lurgan Celtic: