Glenavon 1 Glentoran 1
Gutsy Glenavon held out for 55 minutes with 10 men to secure a breathless share of the spoils against Glentoran at Mourneview Park.
The Lurgan Blues, who saw Sammy Clingan cancel out Darren Muray’s early opener for the visitors, saw Rhys Marshall red carded for a second bookable offence before the break.
But despite boasting a one man advantage for the entirety of the second period, the Ovalmen had to settle for a point in the opening game of the new season.
Glentoran, who handed former Croatia U21 goalkeeper Marijan Antolovic and ex-Dynamo Zagreb midfielder Hrvoje Plum their debuts, were ahead after just five minutes.
John Herron ghosted past a couple of challenges and teed up Murray who took a touch before sweeping a rising shot past Johnny Tuffey.
It was Murray’s 13th goal in 18 games in all competitions since joining the East Belfast club in the January transfer window.
Glenavon were back on level terms in the 13th minute when Clingan’s free-kick from the edge of the area appeared to squeeze through the wall.
It may have taken a deflection en route, but the end result was the same as the ball fizzed past the wrong-footed Antolovic.
Glenavon were inches away from making it 2-1 soon after when Jordan Jenkins rattled the woodwork after being teed up by Robert Garrett.
It was end-to-end stuff and soon after another Glens debutant Thomas Byrne forced a smart save from Tuffey from distance.
Glenavon were down to 10 men in the 38th minute when Marshall picked up a second yellow following a rash challenge on Joe Crowe.
Murray went closest to winning it for the visitors, but his instinctive effort midway through the second half arrowed over the bar.
**Carrick Rangers have confirmed former first team coach and ex-Linfield defender Andy Hunter has returned to the role for the new Danske Bank Premiership season.
