KEITH COWAN marked his Glentoran debut with a goal this afternoon.
The Ramelton man netted the second goal as Glentoran defeated Institute 2-0 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
The Glens are the Irish League table-toppers and former Finn Harps captain Cowan was to the fore this afternoon.
Glentoran had led when Navid Nasseri, finishing off a cross by Elvio Van Overbeek, struck.
Cowan signed for Glentoran following a stellar career at Harps that amassed some 241 appearances across two spells.
Cowan helped Harps to promotion in 2015 and 2018. He missed the bulk of 2017 through injury, but was one of the frontline players in 2018 and 2019, when he aided Harps’ battle for survival in the Premier Division.
Mick McDermott, the Glentoran manager, was quick to swoop at the end of the 2019 season, when he recruited the 34-year-old.
Three minutes before half-time today, Cowan pounced for his first goal for his new club. Rory Brown, the ‘Stute ‘keeper, saved a free kick by Hrvoje Plum, but Cowan prodded home the rebound.
Ex-Harps striker Ciaran O’Connor came off the bench for Glentoran, while the Institute ranks had the likes of Evan Tweed, Oran Brogan and Brendan McLaughlin.