FOOTBALL: Glens kick start Euro preparations
GLENTORAN kick-started their European preparations with a 4-1 victory over Dunmurry Rec at the weekend.
Goals from Jimmy Callacher, Kyle Neill and Gary Hamilton (2) sealed the win at Ashley Park.
Alan McDonald is looking ahead to the Glens' Champions League opener with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa on July 15, and used Saturday's friendly to survey his options ahead of the crunch tie.
The Premiership champions featured new signings Callacher, William McBurney and Sean Southam, along with breakthrough defender Craig Harris.
The Glens controlled Saturday's friendly from the opening whistle, and deservedly took the lead in the opening half.
The goal arrived from the penalty spot, after striker Michael Halliday had been felled in the area.
The spot-kick was confidently dispatched by Callacher to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Neill doubled the tally - from the penalty spot after Halliday was again adjudged to have been brought down in the Dunmurry area - with the winger hammering home his strike.
Gary Hamilton then got in on the act when he extended Glentoran's advantage, the striker latching onto a Neill corner to head home at the back post.
Dunmurry bagged their consolation on the stroke of half-time following a defensive mix-up between Glens goalkeeper Elliott Morris and defender Colin Nixon.
The second half saw the introduction of Harris, Grant Gardiner, McBurney, Andy Waterworth and Southam, as McDonald made wholesale changes.
Harris replaced Sean Ward who was forced to be substituted after picking up an injury.
The Glens continued to control proceedings, with Gardiner dictating proceedings in the middle of the park.
There were further chances for Mattie Burrows, Halliday, Waterworth and Johnny Taylor, but it was Hamilton who would bag Glentoran's fourth and final goal late in the game.
Meanwhile Ballymena United have announced two further pre-season dates to add to the calendar ahead of the new season.
The Sky Blues, who reported back to training last Tuesday, will take on Intermediate side Dunmurry Rec on Saturday, July 18 at Ashley Park.
The following Tuesday (July 21) Roy Walker's side will travel to Inver Park to play Paul Millar's Larne.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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