McElroy rediscovers shooting boots to shock Lurgan Blues
PAUL McElroy’s 85th-minute wonder strike rescued a hardfought 1-1 draw for Dungannon Swifts against Glenavon at Mourneview Park in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The striker latched onto a loose ball just outside the box and rifled home a stunning drive into the top corner to earn a valuable point for the Swifts.
“It was alright!” McElroy laughed after the game. “It was about time I scored one too, I don’t think I’ve scored since Boxing Day last year.”
Until the 23-year-old scored, it looked like it was going to be a straightforward victory for Glenavon, who could have gone top of the league had they won, but their defence couldn’t hold out until the end.
Young star Bobby Burns had given the Lurgan Blues a firsthalf lead, but in truth the hosts weren’t clinical enough and they paid the price when McElroy struck, leaving the Dungannon man delighted.
“I think we deserved a point, the draw was probably a fair result,” McElroy said. “We’re pleased with that, it’s been two difficult games on the road, and now we’re excited for Ballymena at home and the chance for three points.
“We’re on a nice run and ticking along nicely. People were ruling us out at the start of the season and saying we would struggle, but we as a squad knew we wouldn’t.”
It was nearly a horror start for Swifts defender Liam McMenamin, who hit the ball against his own post from a Mark Sykes cross, while at the other end Jonny Tuffey had to be alert to save from McElroy.
Point made: Paul McElroy is mobbed after hitting Dungannon’s late leveller at Mourneview Park GLENAVON: Tuffey, Marshall, Kelly (Marron, 56 mins), Doyle, Singleton, Foley (McGrory, 69 mins), Sykes, Clingan, Hallm Burns (Jenkins, 83 mins), Mitchell. Unused subs: Griffin, Patton.
DUNGANNON: Addis, McMenamin, Hegarty (Fitzpatrick, 71 mins), Armstrong,
It was McElroy, operating as a lone striker, who was proving to be a danger for the visitors, while Dougie Wilson whistled a half-volley just wide as a reminder of the visitors’ threat. Teggart; Lowe (O’Rourke, 67 mins), Harpur, Wilson, Burke, Mayse (McMahon, 57 mins), McElroy. Unused subs: Coleman, Clucas. Man of the Match: David Armstrong Match rating: 6/10
Referee: Raymond Crangle
At the other end, Rhys Marshall and Andy Hall were linking up well down the right and the latter sent the former through into the box with a well-worked move only for Chris Hegarty to produce a
strong block to stop the shot.
But four minutes before the break the Lurgan Blues did break the deadlock, Adam Foley showing great tenacity to stick with the ball after his shot was blocked by Davy Armstrong, and his centre was turned in by Burns (right) at the near post.
With the last play of the half Dungannon should have been level, Ally Teggart’s wicked delivery from a wide free-kick finding Hegarty unmarked on the six-yard line but the defender couldn’t divert it home.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, with McElroy testing Tuffey just after the restart while Andy Mitchell, who had been marked out of the game by Armstrong thus far, couldn’t direct a header on target.
Again it was Glenavon who threatened more and they nearly doubled their lead in the 68th minute when James Singleton whipped in a ball that eluded both Mitchell and Hall by inches.
Both sides lost players to injury late on with the resolute Hegarty hobbling off for Dungannon and Burns withdrawn for Glenavon, and it seemed Gary Hamilton’s men would see it out.
But it was McElroy who decided the fate of the game five minutes from time, his sweet strike settling what was a fair point apiece on the night. ARDS manager Colin Nixon has described the Irish League’s topflight fixtures at the bottom of the table today as ‘enormous’ in the fight to avoid relegation.
Nixon’s Ards side travel to play Ballinamallard United while Warrenpoint Town host Carrick Rangers in what feel like ‘six-pointers’ even this early in the season.
Ballinamallard are at the foot of the table with one point and no wins to their name. Above them are Warrenpoint on three points, Ards on four and Carrick on five.
Nixon, who as a player was more used to chasing trophies with Glentoran, stated: “It’s bizarre to say it so early on but with Warrenpoint playing Carrick and us playing Ballinamallard it is an enormous weekend.
“I wouldn’t say it will determine anyone’s season but for the teams who get positive results it will be a big lift. That’s our aim going to Ballinamallard. We want the win because then we could kick on.
“It is going to be difficult because they’ll feel they are in a similar position and it will be about who wants it most on the day.”
Nixon has respect for the Ferney Park outfit and their manager Gavin Dykes and appreciates his side face a real test to leave Fermanagh with maximum points.
“Ballinamallard, like us, maybe have not been getting the rub of the green in quite a lot of games,” said the Ards boss. “That happens when you are down at the bottom. That’s the way your luck goes. It tends to be all bad. Gavin will have them fighting and ready to go.
“With the position we are in they will feel they are a match for us but hopefully we can click because I think when we do we can shock a few people.”
The misfortune Nixon speaks about was in evidence last weekend when Ards had a goal disallowed which most thought was legitimate. Whether it would have had a bearing on the outcome is debatable. At the time it was 2-0 to Glenavon, who went on to win 3-0.
“I’ve said all I need to say, it was a goal and we would have been back in the game but that’s over now. We have to focus on beating Ballinamallard,” said Nixon.