Kirk McLaughlin has returned from a very successful loan spell with Institute in the PlayrFit Championship. He he has scored 13 goals in 28 games as ‘stute have risen to the top of the table. Striker Kirk (19) joined us from Coleraine in the summer of 2022 and scored twice in his six games for the club in his debut season. Warren Feeney said of Kirk’s return “I’ve watched Kirk play for Institute this season and he’s done very well in a very good side. His individual goal v Dundela a couple of weeks ago was a bit special and rightly got a lot of attention. That experience will have been great for his development and I’m glad to have him back here fighting for his place.”
The club has agreed to Rory Donnelly’s request to go on loan to Newington on loan for the rest of the season. Rory joined us from Cliftonville on the last day of the January 2020 window and in his four years with the club he has made 141 appearances, scoring 22 goals. He is one of only three members of our 2019-20 Irish Cup winning season still on the playing staff, along with Marcus Kane and Paddy McClean. This season Rory has made 15 appearances this season with just 3 starts, scoring 2 goals. Warren Feeney said of Rory’s move: “Rory hasn’t had a lot of game time for the first team this season and as an experienced player is naturally keen to play at this stage in his career. He had the opportunity to go on loan to Premiership clubs but as a North Belfast lad was keen to go to a club where he has plenty of connections. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.”
Leon Boyd has joined fellow Sports Direct Premiership club Loughgall on loan until the end of the season. He is under contract until the end of 2024/25 season and the manager has agreed that it would be beneficial for the player to get regular game time in a good team in the Premiership before returning to fight for his place at Glentoran next season. Leon (18) signed from Linfield a year ago and is considered to be a very bright prospect and has been a regular member of various Northern Ireland under age squads. He has made four first team appearances this season. Warren Feeney: “Leon is an excellent talent and he has a great future at Glentoran. This opportunity to get regular Premiership football in a good Loughgall team will be of great benefit to him in the same way Jonny Russell’s half season on loan at Dundela last season prepared him so well to come back to the Oval and nail down a first team place. Like Jonny this loan deal will be an important and positive step in his football development”.
Also out on loan from Glentoran are Sean Murray (Cork City), Casey Smyth (Dundela), Alex Henderson (Dungannon Swifts), Jordan Jenkins (Dundela) and Ben Cushnie (Bangor).
The Manager said of a quieter than normal January window: “We’ve worked hard throughout this window to try to bring in a couple of experienced new players to strengthen us and increase our options. But either clubs were reluctant to sell at this stage of the season or were asking too much money. One on hand its disappointing not to have brought anyone in but with lads like Rhys, Bobby and Seanan all recovered now and other finding their fitness over the past few weeks I still think we’re in good shape to pursue an Irish Cup win and get a place in Europe next season. Plus we’ve brought Charlie Lindsay in 0n loan and I’m confident Charlie will make a major contribution while he’s here.”
