Soccer

I miss playing for Antrim: Glenavon's new signing Matthew Fitzpatrick

Matthew Fitzpatrick in action against Lamh Dhearg Picture by Cliff Donaldson.
Matthew Fitzpatrick in action against Lamh Dhearg Picture by Cliff Donaldson. Matthew Fitzpatrick in action against Lamh Dhearg Picture by Cliff Donaldson.

Danske Bank Irish Premiership; Ballymena United v Glenavon

WHILE he was busy grabbing a late equaliser for Glenavon in Saturday’s epic 4-4 draw with his former club Coleraine, Matthew Fitzpatrick admitted he misses playing for Antrim.

The St John’s clubman watched the first half hour of Antrim’s Ulster Championship clash with Cavan last Saturday before leaving to play for his new club Glenavon.

Rated as one of the best Gaelic footballers in Antrim, Fitzpatrick decided to switch codes, and after impressing for local intermediate side Belfast Celtic he appeared on many Irish League clubs’ radar.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s visit to Ballymena United, Fitzpatrick said: “I am missing the Gaelic to be honest, especially when I see Antrim playing. I wish I didn’t miss it because then it would be a lot easier.”

After last year’s inter-county season ended, the west Belfast man decided to give a soccer a go. Coleraine manager Oran Kearney came calling in January but lockdown brought a premature end to his time with the Bannsiders.

In the summer, Gary Hamilton signed ‘Fitzy’ for Glenavon – and he was an instant hit for the Lurgan Blues on Saturday with his equalising goal.

“That was my first match on Saturday. Even though I got the equaliser, all the Coleraine players were 100 per cent. I didn’t leave on bad terms or anything. It was a mad match, we were 4-2 down at one stage, so you’d probably take a draw in those circumstances.”

That’s three draws on the bounce for Glenavon after four league games as they travel to the Braidmen who are also on three points.

Meanwhile, the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup has been reduced to just 32 clubs for this season due to the pandemic. Last season, 88 clubs competed but the IFA’s Irish Cup committee took the decision to scale back.

The decision won’t come as a major disappointment to intermediate clubs due to the later start of their own respective leagues. The 32 will be made up of the Premier and Championship clubs and the semi-finalists from last season’s Intermediate Cup.

Tonight’s fixtures: Irish Premier League (7.45pm): Ballymena United v Glenavon; Carrick Rangers v Portadown; Crusaders v Coleraine; Dungannon Siwfts v Cliftonville; Warrenpoint v Larne