Stephen Murray’s focus on Portadown future over Glenavon past

However, having walked away with two goals and two assists towards three derby points, Murray was keen to focus on his Portadown future over a Glenavon past.

Murray converted twice within the opening half-hour period to fire Portadown into a two-goal lead.

Peter Campbell, a former Portadown Youth player, cut the deficit before Murray found Lee Bonis and the latter added number three to cap a fortnight that kicked off with his Northern Ireland under 21s’ debut.

Glenavon responded with a James Singleton header to set up a frantic finale but, off another Murray assist, substitute Aaron Burns drilled in the game’s final goal with the final kick of the first Mid-Ulster league derby since 2017.

“As a side coming up from the Championship into the Premiership it means it’s all about putting those early points on the board,” said Murray. “I never saw it as a step back moving to Portadown in the Championship from Glenavon as a Premiership club.

“I always had confidence that Portadown would be coming up.

“At the time I was looking on my options as either sitting on the bench with Glenavon, maybe play Premiership football with another club at some point or drop down to the Championship at the time to get minutes at Portadown backing the club to be back up this season.

“It was great to get three points on the first day of the league, for the team to score four goals is a positive and for me personally to get off the mark so early.

“To come away with two goals and two assists is nice but, more importantly, for us as a team to finish with that result.

“It may be that much sweeter for the Ports fans getting that first win back against a derby rival.

“But it really doesn’t matter to me about it being against Glenavon and it’s the same for the team...it’s all about the three points.”

Murray has now been part of second-tier title-winning sides under Matthew Tipton at both Warrenpoint Town and Portadown and is relishing a senior role alongside the current crop of bright prospects aiming to impress on the big stage.

“Matthew is a player’s manager, he’s very good with the squad and you can feel you can always discuss things with him, so he’s great to play under,” said Murray. “I never considered myself the most gifted of players so always tried to make up for that with hard work.

“And in Lee Bonis as a strike partner today you could see how much work and running he puts in.

“I think bravery is the word when you look at how young a side we had out today or with so little Premiership experience.

“It can be easy to get over-whelmed by making that step up, especially against players with years under their belts in the top flight.

“You have to deal with the physicality and the pace, everything that makes this a much tougher challenge.

“But the boys were brilliant, fearless in terms of being brave on the ball rather than just humping it.

“But you could see last season how they are great players and it was just about how much time is needed to get comfortable with this league.”

GLENAVON: Taylor, Coates, Birney, Byrne (McCloskey, 46), Jenkins (Hamilton, 75), Purkis, Campbell, Snoddy, R.Norton (O’Mahony, 46), Singleton, Garrett.

Subs (not used): Larmour, Doyle, Taylor, H.Norton.

PORTADOWN: Pierce, Hall, Finnegan, Lavery, Tipton, Bonis, Murray, Wilson, McNally, Guy (Burns, 61), Kerr.

Subs (not used): Pengelly, Crane, McCallum, McGrandles, Croskery, Glenfield.

Referee: Ian McNabb.

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