Glenavon's Football Miracle Goes Beyond Expectations: Coach Surprises With Team Improvement
Ten weeks ago, when Glenavon were bottom of the table and 12 points adrift of Crusaders, not many would have believed that they would move out of the automatic relegation spot before the split, but manager Michael O'Connor did. It was a challenging start to the season for the Lurgan Blues who failed to register a point in their opening 11 games. However, since O'Connor took over at the helm in October, the side have started to improve and now do not occupy the automatic relegation position thanks to a 3-0 victory at Seaview.
Goals from Paddy Burns, Luke McGerrigan and Conor Falls secured the crucial three points in the penultimate Saturday before the split. "I have gotten a few grey hairs since I have come in," O'Connor told BBC Sport NI. "I always believed.
People said I was mad to take the job and that they were down. I think everyone was saying that Glenavon were going down to the Championship next year. "Listen, I had the belief that we could keep them up and I was trying to get the players to believe as well and you can see now on the pitch.
If we all stick together, I think we will be OK. " 'It has taken us time' - O'Connor The Lurgan Blues are now unbeaten in four matches and haven't conceded in their last two fixtures. Glenavon signed Gavin Gilmore and John Mountney in January with Nathaniel Ferris, Charlie Lindsay, Mikey Harkin and Conor Falls joining the club on loan.
O'Connor praised the January recruits' contribution and added that his side are a "good squad". "We are going to look at the table tomorrow and see that we are not bottom and it is going to be good," he continued. "It has taken us time.