Jordan Jenkins nets four but 'buzzing' for single-scorer Glentoran team-mate in Irish Cup progress
Jordan Jenkins walked away with the match ball and four goals to his name but turned the Irish Cup spotlight on a team-mate following Glentoran’s 5-0 defeat of Amateur League-based Drumaness Mills.
After the rearranged tie, the Glens now host Larne at the quarter-final stages (March 6) following an Oval success memorable to both scorers – with Jenkins netting on four occasions and teenager Cal Weatherup opening his account at senior level for the club.
"I'm buzzing for Cal because me and Cal are good mates and I would travel down with him,” said Jenkins on his official Glentoran interview. "I'm glad for him because it's obviously his first senior goal...he played last night (Monday) for the reserves and got a hat-trick there, so a good couple of days for him.”
On his own personal achievement, Jenkins proved modest and claimed “I’m just happy they went in”.
"We knew they were going to maybe come at us for the first 20 minutes and put us under a bit of pressure...to be fair, they did do it,” he said. "And they caused us problems in certain moments of the game – but, thankfully, we got the win and we're into the next round.
“I'm just happy that they went in.
"I've been frustrated in front of goal in recent months and, thankfully, tonight was maybe a game that gave me a bit of confidence back in front of goal, so I'm glad.
“Obviously Pat (Hoban) got suspended...I'm just hoping that I can take my chance and maybe get an extra few games up front.”
However, Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann was happy to shine the spotlight on Jenkins following the striker’s four-goal haul.
“‘JJ’ (Jenkins) does that all the time...he probably could have scored more, he'll tell you,” said McCann on the official Glentoran social media platforms. "On a difficult pitch some really good finishes...he's a proper striker.
“Likes to play on the shoulder and he'll always get goals...little tap-ins and things like that.”
McCann added: “We gave Drumaness the respect that they deserve.
"We didn't treat the game any differently than we normally would – they came here, had a bit of a game plan and it took us a while to break them down….great credit to Drumaness and a fantastic support.”