Irish Premiership: Glenavon 5-1 Ballinamallard United

Declan O'Brien's hat-trick helped Glenavon earn a deserved Premiership victory over Ballinamallard United.

Daniel Kearns put Glenavon ahead on eight minutes and while Jason McCartney levelled from the penalty spot, O'Brien restored the home team's lead on 25.

Alvin Rouse saved an O'Brien penalty before half-time but the striker regrouped to score a second goal on 49.

After O'Brien completed his hat-trick on 52, player-boss Gary Hamilton netted a late penalty after Rouse's dismissal.

The Ballinamallard keeper was given his 86th-minute red card after hauling down Glenavon's Andy McGrory.

O'Brien's display meant that Sharm El Sheikh stranded Eoin Bradley was scarcely missed by the Lurgan Blues.

Recent signing Kearns hit Glenavon's opening goal on eight minutes as he stuck out a leg to score but the Mallards were on terms nine minutes later with McCartney netting after Simon Kelly had been harshly adjudged to have handled.

O'Brien restored Glenavon's lead on 25 although the striker then saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Rouse after Joel Cooper had been hauled down.

Kearns and Cooper went close to increasing Glenavon's lead before the break with Johnny Lafferty looking dangerous for the Mallards at the other end.

However, Glenavon did take a two-goal advantage on 49 minutes as O'Brien headed a corner past Rouse

O'Brien completed his hat-trick three minutes later with player-manager Hamilton scoring the home team's fifth goal from the penalty spot on 86 after Rouse's foul on McGrory had led to the keeper's dismissal.