Robbie McDaid fires Glentoran forward into Europa League trip to Motherwell

The Glens will now make the trip next week to Scotland to tackle a Motherwell side managed by Northern Ireland-born Stephen Robinson across the first qualifying round - and bolstered by a six-figure European cash reward.

Daniel Johansen delivered a string of early corner-kicks but offered little threat despite the packed penalty area.

Dan I Soylu served up the first effort by the visitors but the shot was blocked.

Difficult pitch conditions due to heavy rainfall disrupted the flow of the fixture but Glentoran confidence increased as play continued.

Seanan Clucas was presented with an opening past the half-hour mark off Rory Donnelly’s fine leap and downward header but the drive from distance dragged wide of the target.

McDaid entered the Europa League clash bolstered by sparkling domestic form - with goals in the Irish Cup week towards glory over the semi-final and final adding to a pre-lockdown tally of 19.

And he marked his debut in European club competition by breaking the deadlock on 42 minutes.

A delightful lobbed pass by Donnelly cut open the Torshavn backline to drop into the path of McDaid, with the on-song striker steering home his measured volley on the run.

Glentoran pushed on in a bid to extend the advantage and McDaid forced a corner-kick late in the first half.

Gael Bigirimana, the former Newcastle United player, delivered into the danger area off the set-piece and Donnelly attacked but was unable to steer on target.

Substitute Adrian Justinussen joined play at the start of the second half and came close to an immediate impact for Torshavn with a curling free-kick from outside the area which recent signing Dayle Coleing managed to push wide.

The Glens goalkeeper was also called into action off Hilmar Jakobsen’s attempt.

Both teams had efforts blocked on the line off corner-kicks, with the visitors increasing the pressure over the course of the second half but Glentoran posing a threat on the counter-attack.

Justinussen had an effort in the final moments but Keith Cowan’s brave block helped to divert wide the speculative strike.

Ultimately, Mick McDermott’s Glens held on for another significant step forward by the Oval outfit.

GLENTORAN: Coleing, Kane, McClean, Cowan, Marron, Gallagher, Clucas (McCullough, 68), Bigirimana, O’Neill (McDonagh, 72), Donnelly (Stewart, 83), McDaid.

Subs (not used): Brown, Mitchell, O’Connor, Crowe.

HB TORSHAVN: Gestsson, Jogvan Roi Davidsen (Joensen, 62), Hansen, Tshiembe, Johansen, I Soylu (Mikkelsen, 75), H.Hansen, Kristensen, Petersen (Justinussen, 46), Dahl, Jakobsen.

Subs (not used): Eyosteinsson, Jensen, Dalbud, Johansen Chukwudi.

Referee: Lukas Fahndrich (Switzerland)