Stephen McDonnell hails Glenavon's first hat-trick hero since 2017 and admits finishing in European play-off spot would be 'unbelievable'

​Lotefa took advantage of sloppy Swifts defending to net his first goal since joining the Lurgan Blues in January after just six minutes at Mourneview Park and repeated the feat moments later in a rapid start.

The 23-year-old secured a first senior treble in the second-half by pouncing after James Doona’s header came back off the crossbar before Matthew Snoddy’s fine effort from the edge of Dungannon’s box ensured McDonnell’s men ended their winless run of eight matches across competitions.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, who were a shadow of the side that defeated title-chasing Cliftonville last time out, as they lost Gael Bigirimana to a straight red card for a challenge on Snoddy in the 71st minute while Ben Gallagher’s late penalty was saved by Mark Byrne.

Remarkably, Lotefa is the first Glenavon player to score a hat-trick since Adam Foley’s treble in 2017.

"We always knew it would take a little bit of time (for new signings to hit stride), but for Lido to have a little setback for three weeks after coming off during the Linfield game, to then come back and perform the way he did Tuesday (against Glentoran) getting us up the pitch and today...they were real attacker’s finishes,” said McDonnell. “It’s very pleasing.

"As they say that’s the monkey off his back with him getting off the mark. To go and score the hat-trick...that’s the first hat-trick since Adam Foley in 2017 I’ve just been told – it’s incredible to think it has been seven years.

"To go home with the match ball – it’s the first time Blacky has had to hand one of those out in a long time he said! Long may it continue. It’s really pleasing for him.”

When McDonnell was appointed in late-September, Glenavon were sitting 11th, just one point above Dungannon, and they spent time at the bottom following a 3-1 defeat to Glentoran the following month.

However, they’re now in the hunt for European football with seventh-placed Loughgall just two points better off ahead of the final seven matches.

"It would be unbelievable,” added McDonnell. “To do what we’ve done has been huge, but you have to live in the moment and the now tells us we can compete for something different.

"Seventh is in touching distance, sixth is still mathematically within distance and that would require going to Larne and winning, but we think we can do that.

"People might think we’re mad when we throw it out there, but we think we can go there and win. We’ll prepare properly and learn from previous games against them.

"They are the benchmark and it would be brilliant to go and upset the title race wouldn’t it?”

Swifts boss Rodney McAree said: "We certainly didn’t deserve anything from the game. I can’t really put my finger on it because it’s a huge contrast to other performances we’ve put in this season.”