Danske Bank Irish Premiership: Glenavon v Cliftonville (tonight, Mourneview Park, 7.45pm)
GLENAVON striker and former Antrim Gaelic footballer Matthew Fitzpatrick says he always looks forward to playing against Cliftonville because that’s when he gets the most “abuse” from rival fans.
A schoolteacher in north Belfast, Fitzpatrick also joked that it was probably some of his pupils dishing out the banter during Glenavon-Cliftonville games.
“I probably get the most abuse when I play against Cliftonville, not bad abuse, but it’s when I get the most slagging about Gaelic.
“If I hit a shot and it goes over, you hear people shouting: ‘Ah, you’re not playing Gaelic now!’ But, I love it. And because I’m working in north Belfast a load of our kids in school go to the Reds games and it’s their chance to have a go at me because they can’t in school! So, playing Cliftonville is a unique one for me.”
The Reds travel to Mourneview Park this evening in a bid to hold onto top spot from title-chasers Linfield and Larne.
They dropped two points at home to Coleraine on Saturday (2-2) but still lead the way by a point, while eighth-place Glenavon suffered a 2-1 defeat at Dungannon Swifts, which was Fitzpatrick’s 100th appearance for the club.
“I couldn’t believe I played 100 games. I’d no idea,” said the west Belfast man.
“When I stopped playing for Antrim and went to play for Coleraine, if somebody said I’ll play 100 Irish League games I wouldn’t have believed them.
“I’m just glad I took a risk and played in the Irish League. And if I hadn’t played 100 games and it didn’t work out, I’d still sleep better at night knowing I took the risk.”
The St John’s clubman also gave a nod to Glenavon veteran Sean Ward, adding: “I’m hoping I can play as long as Sean Ward (who is 39). He doesn’t realise it but he’s taught me so much especially not being too high or too low after a match. He’s intelligent, he just gets it and that feeds into his longevity. I don’t think people understand how hard it is to be that good at 39.”
Fitzpatrick and his partner Hannah became parents to Charlie Fitzpatrick five days ago and the Glenavon striker had already changed his outlook on dealing with the highs and lows of his chosen sport.
“Becoming a father has taught me things already. I didn’t have a great game at the weekend; I went back up to the hospital, and for two hours I completely forgot about the game.
“It was like a new form of escapism; I didn’t dwell on my performance. Maybe it’s just getting older and getting more experience that I’ve tried not to have that outlook because there are times I’ve played well and didn’t dwell on it. It didn’t mean I was going to have a good game the next day. It’s life, it’s sport. You just have to roll with it and it’s a game of highs and lows but knowing how to deal with them.
“When I get back home it’s not Hannah’s fault or the baby’s fault that I was just brutal.”
Meanwhile, Portadown failed in their appeal to have their three-point deduction overturned. Alberto Balde was ruled ineligible after the team-sheet was filled out incorrectly.
Balde was down to start the game against Newry but was on the bench before being introduced during the game.
Elsewhere tonight, defending champions Linfield were the only top four side that got a win last weekend, seeing off Ballymena United, 3-0.
The Blues make the cross-town trip to Seaview where fourth-placed Crusaders hope to put themselves firmly back in the title race and arrest their visitors’ ascension towards the top of the table.
Larne are still just a point off the pace despite being held to a scoreless draw by the Crues at Inver on Saturday. They can keep the pressure on Cliftonville and Linfield at the top when they host rock bottom Portadown.
Coleraine haven’t lost a league game since November 8 – a 2-1 home loss to Crusaders – as they host Carrick Rangers, with their early league form deserting them in the recent months.
Rodney McAree hopes to make it two wins out of two since replacing Glens boss Mick McDermott when they host Dungannon Swifts this evening.
Elsewhere, Newry will hope to end their eight-match losing streak in the top flight away to seventh-placed Ballymena United.
