McMenamin makes shock return to Glentoran two months after joining Coleraine

Northern Ireland international winger Conor McMenamin has made a surprise move to Glentoran, leaving Coleraine only two months after joining the club. As part of the arrangement, midfielder Joe Thomson will move in the opposite direction, joining Coleraine at the Showgrounds.

The 31-year-old signed for Coleraine on 23 June, marking his return to the Irish Premiership after three seasons with St Mirren in Scotland's top flight. Having struggled with injuries over the past two campaigns, McMenamin did not make a single start during his short stint at Coleraine, despite being expected to play a key role in manager Ruaidhri Higgins' attacking line-up alongside Matthew Shevlin, Ben Doherty and Joel Cooper.

"Everything has happened really quickly, but once I knew there was an opportunity to return to Glentoran, I was delighted to take it," McMenamin said.

This marks his third spell with the east Belfast club, following a season in 2015-16 and a standout two-year run from 2021 to 2023 that earned him his move to Scotland. While still at Glentoran, he won his first Northern Ireland cap in 2022 and scored against San Marino the following year. However, he has not appeared for the national team under manager Michael O'Neill since a brief substitute appearance in a 5-1 defeat to Spain in June 2024.

"I played some of the best football of my career here, earned my first Northern Ireland call-up and secured a move to Scotland. My three years with St Mirren were hugely important and I return as a better and more experienced player," McMenamin added, stressing that he is focused on future achievements rather than past ones.

Coleraine currently sit top of the Irish Premiership table after three wins and a draw from their opening four matches, while Glentoran are sixth following a mixed start of two wins and two defeats.