By Daniel Noble
ARDS will get their 2026/27 season up and running with a trip to face Northern Ireland football giants Glenavon on Saturday.
John Bailie’s side finished second in Group B of the NIFL Championship last season, only
behind Institute, as the league bottom-half sides enjoyed the freedom of a campaign that did not feature relegation.
Meanwhile, their Lurgan opponents were demoted from the Irish Premiership, finishing bottom of the table, in the division’s only automatic relegation spot, with just 28 points on the board.
That brought a 21-year stay in the top flight to an end for the three-time Irish League and seven-time Irish Cup winners.
However, despite that unwanted statistic, manager Michael O’Connor remains in charge of the club, assisted by Andrew Doyle and Mark Ferguson, as they enter the new campaign as heavy favourites for the Championship title.
Ards will hold ambition of their own, although a top-half finish would be progress from last term, and have rejigged their squad throughout the summer.
Following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, Ards announced the departures of forwards Zach Barr, Jack Reilly and Darius Roohi, midfielders Ciaran Dobbin and Gary Donnelly and defenders Mark Carson and Ciaran Dobbin.
They have strengthened their squad with a host of arrivals, recruiting attackers Jack Boyd (Carrick Rangers), Fiontan O’Boyle (Ballyclare Comrades), Jaydyn Withers (East Belfast) and Stephen Kelly (Linfield Swifts), as well as centre-half Caoimhan Crossan (Institute).
Eighteen year-old striker James McClure has joined the club on loan from Glentoran, having recently signed a professional contract with the Oval side.
With a reputation that proceeds him, he will likely be the man that the Red and Blues look to as their main source of goals, after he scored 22 times in the Premiership Development League last season.
The Ards ranks have further been bolstered by contract extensions for captain Eamon Scannell, his brother, Conor Scannell, goalkeeper James Taylor, winger Jamie Browne and full-back Connor Maxwell, amongst others.
The opening day clash with the Lurgan Blues will provide a tough test for Bailie’s men, who have recorded five wins and two defeats in preseason, only losing to Premiership outfits Bangor and Carrick.
They will then experience a quick turnaround for their second game, hosting Dundela on August 11, before facing Warrenpoint away (August 15) and welcoming both Loughgall (August 22) and Queen’s University (August 28) to Clandeboye Park.
Ards will take to the pitch against Glenavon at Mournview Park for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday
