Glenavon fans to pay tribute to Mark Farren

Glenavon fans are to pay tribute to the late Mark Farren during their Irish Cup clash with Glentoran at The Oval this afternoon.

The former Derry City and Finn Harps striker scored 10 goals in his 15 appearances for the Lurgan Blues during the 2013-14 season.

Fans of the Mourneview Park side will hold a minute’s applause in the 10th minutes of today’s game in recognition of the number 10 jersey worn by the Greencastle man.

Calling on fans to join in the tribute Glenavon manager, Gary Hamilton, said it had been a “very sad week” for Irish football.

He added: “Mark proudly led Glenavon out on the club’s last appearance in the Irish Cup Final in May 2014 when the Lurgan Blues triumphed 2-1 against Ballymena United.

“As a mark of respect for Mark we hope all fans at the Oval will join in a minute’s applause in the 10th minute of the game, 10 being Mark’s shirt number during his time as a Glenavon player.”

And he recalled the last time Mark was involved in a Glenavon game.

He said: “It was the Irish Cup Fnal in 2014. He led the team out onto the pitch and was such a huge motivating factor for our squad.

“He would have given anything to have been playing that day and I know his presence played a major part in our success,”

Derry City have retired the club’s number 18 in tribute to their all-time record goalscorer who died on Wednesday last after a long battle against can