Friendly Report: Glenavon 0 - 1 Dundalk

Following their extended 2016 season, which incorporated approximately 10 months and 63 games, Stephen Kenny's Dundalk side began their 2017 campaign with a narrow victory over Glenavon at Mourneview Park on a wintry Monday evening.

The home side saw the fixture sandwiched between a narrow defeat to league champions Crusaders on Saturday and a pivotal cup tie next weekend, so player-manager Gary Hamilton selected a much changed side following the weekend's loss.

Newly-signed winger Renato De Vecchi made his first start for the club, while ex-League of Ireland defenders David Elebert and Dundalk native Simon Kelly lined up in the centre of the defence with ex-Drogheda United front man Guy Bates up top.

The away side lined out with Gabriel Sava between the posts, Dane Massey at left back and new recruit Niclas Vemmelund occupying the other full back posting. The centre of defence was made up of recent signing Sean Hoare alongside Paddy Barrett.

Another recent arrival, Conor Clifford, began in midfield alongside Robbie Benson with Patrick McEleney operating ahead of these two and behind lone striker Ciaran Kilduff.

Ex-Glenavon winger Paddy McCourt, who hasn't officially signed for the county Louth club, began on the right wing with Jamie McGrath, on debut, taking a position wide on the left.

The first half was a tepid affair, typical of an early pre-season game, for the first twenty minutes until Kilduff connected with a McGrath cross and failed to hit the target.

The Kilcock native was getting in dangerous positions in the penalty area throughout the half but lacked the sharpness of finish which saw him fire crucial Europa League goals for the Lilywhites last season.

The first effort of note of the first half from the visitors was a 25 yard free kick from Robbie Benson which whistled past James Taylor's post. The marauding Clifford was fouled in the build-up by a sliding Glenavon defender.

However, no boot could touch the elegant McEleney as he slalomed into the box a few moments later only to see his rasping drive batted away by the strong palms of Taylor.

While the Lilywhites relied on the tricky footwork of ex-Candystripes McCourt and McEleney to work openings, the home team saw their best efforts arrive from set pieces, with Simon Kelly narrowly heading a corner over Sava's crossbar. It remained goalless at the break.

Glenavon made one change just before half time with Kyle Neill being replaced by Aaron Canning and Patton dropped into left back. Half time saw Kelly and Grey leaving the action with former Blackburn Rovers forward Hamilton and Luke Fisher appearing for the second half.

Dundalk lined up with Vemmelund moved to left back and Sean Gannon at right full, Paddy Barrett in the centre alongside halftime substitute and former Portadown defender Brian Gartland.

Stephen O Donnell and Clifford were in the centre of midfield with Carlton Ubaezuono on the left and John Mountney on the right wing. Mc Court moved into the centre and played just behind McGrath.

The second half saw the greater chances for Glenavon with Renato De Vecchi having a penalty appeal turned down and Guy Bates seeing a number of tight offsides calls halt his progress when in dangerous positions.

Trialist and ex-Celtic attacker McCourt left the field to a warm applause after nearly 70 minutes and it was his replacement, former under-19 attacker Keith Dalton, who supplied the cross from which Jamie Mc Grath opened the scoring in the final minute.

The ex-St Patrick's Athletic and Ireland underage international swept the ball to the net right footed from 6 yards for a debut winner.

Both teams have more important things on their mind this season but it was a decent game given the conditions and where both sides are in relation to their seasons.

Glenavon: James Taylor; Andy Hall, Simon Kelly (Luke Fisher 46), David Elebert, Kyle Neill (Aaron Canning 43); Renato De Vecchi (Jack Sharvin 72), Robert Norton (Jason Hill 76), James Singleton, Mark Patton, Guy Bates (Jordan Jenkins 67); James Grey (Gary Hamilton 46).

Substitutes not used: None.

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Niclas Vemmelund, Paddy Barrett, Sean Hoare (Brian Gartland 46), Dane Massey (Sean Gannon 46); Conor Clifford, Robbie Benson (Stephen O Donnell 46), Paddy Mc Court  (Keith Dalton 69), Patrick Mc Eleney (Carlton Ubaezuono 46), Jamie Mc Grath; Ciaran Kilduff (John Mountney 46)

Subs not used: Oisin Finn, Ruaidhri Higgins.

Referee: Jamie Robinson.

Attendance: 250 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Niclas Vemmelund (Dundalk).