Mick McDermott hails veteran keeper Elliott Morris after penalty shoot-out heroics

Elliott Morris has written quite a few pages in the Glentoran history books during his long career at The Oval.
Glentoran keeper Elliott MorrisGlentoran keeper Elliott Morris
Glentoran keeper Elliott Morris

So it was fitting for the experienced keeper to play his part in the Glens’ quest for more glory.

The 39-year-old was the hero for the men from the east saving penalties from Conor McMenamin and Conor McDermott in the shoot-out after the game finished 1-1 following 120 minutes of football on Monday evening.

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Morris has only played nine games for the Glens so far this term with Marijan Antolovic getting the nod from coach Mick McDermott for the majority of the season.

Speaking after the game McDermott said Morris, who has made 740 appearances for the club, still has a big part to play.

“Elliott playing was a big call in terms of it always is when you leave people out but we make decisions based on not just ability, but form,” he said.

“We’re observing people every day in training and we had to make a call.

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“I know people will say Elliott justified the call but that’s not to say Marijan wouldn’t have made the same saves but Elliott has come up trumps in the end.

“He’s coming in to his 19th season at Glentoran this coming season and he’s going to be a big part of it.

“We’ve brought in another keeper, as you know, but it’s a good group of keepers we have, they are full-time and our training group with the keepers is excellent.”

The win keeps Glentoran’s hopes of silverware and European qualification alive but McDermott knows they still have another big test in front of them against Ballymena United.

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“We are halfway there. It’s nice to get through and it’s nice to be in the final,” he said.

“It’s nice to get there but you have to get over the final hurdle.

“Cliftonville for me this season… Larne probably play the best football I’ve seen this season but Cliftonville play the football where they can hurt you in multiple ways; long, short and really good on the ball.

“They are a talented team and they can hurt you in a load of ways.

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“It was a good game of football, we both created a lot of chances and I’m sure it looked good on TV, too.

“Robbie McDaid will keep going and grafting and he got his just reward. We could have scored more than we did but that happens in football.

“Conor McMemamin has been really good all season. He’s a handful whether he has played left-back or left-wing in a four but Navid Nasseri is no different no matter where he plays.

“I thought Ciaran O’Connor was excellent when he came in and changed the game. His ability and strength on the ball and Joe Crowe was outstanding over the 120 minutes, too,” added McDermott.

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