McDonnell Attributes Defeat to ‘Gifted’ Goals

Glenavon, under manager Stephen McDonnell, has now gone five league games without a victory. Following his team’s 3-0 loss to Glentoran, McDonnell expressed his “extreme disappointment” with their performance. The Glens secured their win through goals scored by Danny Amos, Finley Thorndike, and Dylan Connolly, which further prolonged Glenavon’s league winless streak to five matches. McDonnell conveyed his frustration regarding how his team allowed these goals at Mourneview Park. Speaking to BBC Sport NI, he stated: “Glentoran came here today and scored three goals and didn’t have to work for it, we have gifted them three goals.” McDonnell added, “I have no complaints with the result, we simply haven’t been good enough and individual errors have cost us in this game.” According to McDonnell, Finley Thorndike’s swift second-half goal significantly altered the game’s momentum. He elaborated, “You go in at half-time and do the usual ranting and raving saying ‘let’s get going for the second half and have a positive start’ and then you concede after 45 seconds after a poor clearance and not being in a position to deal with the second ball, it sets you back.” He concluded, “You try to make positive changes and then third goal is criminal and kills off the contest.” Despite the current streak without a win, McDonnell expressed confidence that the Lurgan Blues’ situation will improve shortly, provided they begin converting their opportunities. He remarked, “It’s a tough period, we have shown we can come through it before, and we’ll keep working hard.” He further noted, “We’re not scoring enough goals and that is what is affecting us at the minute and we’re not getting that bit of luck, but it will turn.”