IRISH LEAGUE: Glenavon claim spirited victory over Dungannon Swifts

Joel Cooper fired Glenavon to a narrow but deserved victory over Mid-Ulster rivals Dungannon.

The winger scored the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute.

Glenavon made a strong start and could have gone ahead after three minutes.

A corner from Cooper picked out Rhys Marshall. His first effort was blocked and, when he tried a second time, his own player got in the way.

Dungannon’s first chance fell to Ryan Harpur, who hammered a cross from Andrew Mitchell just off target.

A slip-up in the home defence then gifted Mark Sykes possession in a dangerous area, but goalkeeper Andrew Coleman blocked well.

Jamie Glackin saw an effort turned wide after taking a pass from Alan Teggart.

Efforts from Kris Lowe and Andrew Hall, with the aid of a deflection, also went astray as the half progressed.

Glenavon went close within 30 seconds of the restart through Eoin Bradley.

And the visitors’ pressure was rewarded in the 52nd minute.

Hall passed inside to Cooper, who took a touch before driving the ball into the left corner.

Swifts’ best effort fell to Harpur, but his drive from distance fell narrowly wide.

DGN SWIFTS: Coleman, Montgomery (Hazley, 62), McCaffrey, Wilson, O’Rourke, Lowe, Harpur, Glackin, Burke (Mullen, 68), Teggart (Liggett, 84), Mitchell

Subs not used: Fitzpatrick, McDonald

GLENAVON: Tuffey, Kelly, Dillon, Lindsay, Kilmartin, Marshall, Cooper, Bradley, Hall (Hamilton, 82), Sykes, Kearns (Martyn, 90)

Subs not used: Patton, McGrory, Braniff

Referee: Mervyn Smyth (Belfast)