Glenavon manager Michael O’Connor believes January recruit John Mountney can make a big impact for the Lurgan Blues after the former League of Ireland champion registered his club debut in Friday’s 2-0 Premiership defeat to Coleraine.

Mountney brings significant experience to Mourneview Park having lifted five league titles and three FAI Cups during a trophy-laden spell at Dundalk, who he also represented on the European stage, including against Premier League giants Arsenal.

The 32-year-old spent last season with Bohemians before joining Glenavon earlier this month and played the final 20 minutes at The Showgrounds.

Talisman Peter Campbell made his first start since early-December as he continues his recovery from an injury setback and O’Connor believes the duo will have a big role to play throughout the remainder of this season.

placeholder image — Glenavon manager Michael O'Connor. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

“It was great to see Peter back getting 75 minutes, it will stand him in good stead,” O’Connor told the club’s media channel. “He felt fine coming off and wanted to stay on, which is a good sign.

"We got John Mountney some minutes tonight too which is really important. He hasn’t played in the last six or seven weeks because he was in the League of Ireland so it’s good to get him into it.

"We’re a young squad, we’re the youngest in the league with an average age of 21 I think it was, so when the window opened we wanted to get an experienced player in.

"You see the standards he sets and how he behaves, that will rub off on other players and he will be massive for us in the run in.

"(Nathaniel) Ferris took a bang after five minutes and kept going, that’s the type of player and character we want where he’s hurt but kept digging in.

"Charlie Lindsay did really well when he came on, Paul McGovern, I can’t say anymore about the kid. He kept going for 90 minutes, played as a 10, centre-forward, plays everywhere and you know what you’re going to get.”

Coleraine went ahead after 20 minutes as Joel Cooper scored his 16th league goal of the season before substitute Jamie McGonigle secured maximum points in the closing stages.

While Ruaidhri Higgins’ side continued to apply pressure at the top, Glenavon remain 11 points adrift at the bottom with 13 matches left to play, but O’Connor was proud of their performance.

"I thought we started the game really brightly and limited them to not many chances really,” he added. “The first goal is a bit of a sucker punch.

"We were well in the game, but it was important we didn’t concede again and again like we did last time here.

"I thought from 45 minutes to 80 minutes we dominated the game without actually hurting them much, one or two half-chances.

"Coleraine have invested well, you can see the players they have up front, they’re bringing Senan (Devine) off and bringing McGonigle on, Dylan Boyle is coming on, so they have that quality and depth.

"I’m really proud of the boys. I think we’re more than matching teams most weeks but just haven’t got that clinical edge and giving away goals at the other end.”