Danske Bank Premiership
GLENTORAN’S deadline day signing Conor McMenamin revealed he refused to answer his phone to the east Belfast club as he had his mind made up he was leaving Cliftonville to join Larne on Sunday evening.
But an intervention from Reds boss Paddy McLaughlin insisted McMenamin take Glentoran’s call to hear what they had to say.
After finally answering his phone, McMenamin changed his mind and agreed better terms with the Oval club, which also saw the highly-rated Paul O’Neill go in the opposite direction.
“Right up to 8.30-9pm on Sunday night I still didn’t know where I was going,” McMenamin admitted.
“To be honest the deal was done with Larne. I agreed to sign for them but my phone kept ringing and I knew it was Glentoran – I didn’t answer it because I thought the deal was done.
“And then Paddy McLaughlin rang me and said, ‘Can you just answer the phone to Glentoran to hear what they have to say?’
“And, to be honest, what they said and what they offered me, I just couldn’t turn it down. I sat down with my mum and the people who are close to me and I said Glentoran is closer to home, I’ve got a wee girl now and driving to Larne every day was a bit longer.
“I just took everything into consideration and as the day went on I edged towards Glentoran. One minute I was going to Larne and the next I was going to Glentoran. So I just made the call what was best for my wee girl and me.”
McMenamin proved an inspired signing by former Reds boss Barry Gray in May 2018. On countless occasions the classy winger was the side’s match winner and was arguably Cliftonville’s best player over the past two seasons.
This will be his second spell with the Glens having left Linfield in 2015 before he re-established his stuttering career at Warrenpoint Town.
“Andy Waterworth, who is a good friend of mine, advised me to go to Warrenpoint, work hard and try and get my career back and said I’d get my chance,” said the 25-year-old Downpatrick man.
“And Cliftonville came calling two years later. I played a year in the Championship with Warrenpoint and played well in the Premiership for a year and then I got my move to Cliftonville.”
He added: “If it wasn’t for Paddy McLaughlin coming in two years ago I would have left Cliftonville. I was leaving when Barry Gray got the sack but Paddy came in and I remember scoring in his first game - we beat Newry 1-0.
“Since then I've never looked back. I just grew in confidence. Paddy liked me as a player. I can never repay what Paddy has done for me and my career.
“He’s lifted my game to where it is now, I’ve huge respect for him, and everyone at Cliftonville. I’ve met friends for life and I didn’t want to leave on bad terms. And, to be fair to them, they understood the reasons why I wanted to leave; I wanted to try full-time football. That was a big attraction.
“As a package, Glentoran just ticked slightly more boxes than Larne. I could say to you now that I was always going to Glentoran but that wasn’t the case."
He enjoyed every minute of his time at Solitude.
“When you score big goals for Cliftonville the fans love you. Under Paddy’s management I’ve scored in European play-offs and against Crusaders on Boxing Day and other big games… I posted a message on Twitter to give the Cliftonville fans the respect that they deserve because they were brilliant to me.”
McMenamin will be trying to help seventh-placed Glentoran climb the table this evening as they make the short journey to Crusaders before facing the Reds at the Oval on Saturday.
On the prospect of playing against his former club so quickly after leaving, McMenamin quipped: “It’s the one and only time I’m glad the game is being played behind closed doors!”
Meanwhile, Cliftonville travel to Coleraine this evening with new signings Daniel Kearns, Barry Coffeey and Paul O’Neill available for selection. Leaders Linfield return to action at home to Portadown after sitting out Saturday due to a Covid case at Dungannon Swifts.
Elsewhere, Warrenpoint will hope to pull further away to safety at home to Carrick Rangers tonight, while an improving Glenavon host Larne and Ballymena and Dungannon clash at the Showgrounds.
