Through to semi-final

GLENAVON overcame local rivals Lurgan Celtic to progress to the semi-final of the Mid-Ulster Cup on Tuesday evening.

A brace from Joe Finlay, as well as a side-footed effort from Ryan Harpur, were enough to see off the Championship Two side at Mourneview Park, as the visitors could only muster a last minute consolation.

Chances were few and far between in the first period, although Andy Graham’s header was cleared off the line on seven minutes.

Celtic keeper Ciaran Fox then made a good stop from Chris Lavery’s 12-yard effort after Henderson’s miscued shot had fallen at his feet.

The visitors then went close to opening the scoring although the crossbar came to Glenavon’s rescue as a free-kick crashed off it.

After the break Glenavon began to dominate and made it 1-0 on 49 minutes. Young striker Joe Finlay again showed his worth in front of goal, rounding Fox and sliding the ball into the back of the empty net.

And just two minutes later, it was 2-0 as Ryan Harpur doubled the Blues’ advantage. Niall Henderson’s free-kick found Alan Davidson and his header crashed off the crossbar only to fall for Ryan Harpur to slot into the bottom corner.

Diarmuid O’Carroll then almost embarrassed the Celtic keeper but his long-range effort just missed having caught Fox off his line.

Substitute David Magee was next to try and get on the scoresheet but his shot flew wide of goal.

On 73 minutes, Finlay showed them all how to finish, although in fairness he couldn’t have missed. O’Carroll found David Magee with a crossfield ball and he cut the ball back to the forward who slid home.

Finlay could even have had his hat-trick on 77 minutes but his shot was blocked before Niall Henderson’s rebound struck the post.

However, the Blues couldn’t hold on to their clean sheet as a Lurgan Celtic header smashed into the net from a corner-kick in the final minute.

GLENAVON: Coleman, Shannon, Jonny Magee, Brennan, Turkington, Lavery (D. Magee 61), Davidson (McGonnell 70), Henderson, Harpur, Finlay, Graham (O’Carroll 57).