Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin has officially completed his return to the Irish Premiership, signing a long-term deal with Coleraine after a permanent transfer was agreed with Scottish club St Mirren. The 30-year-old winger, who earned the last of his 14 international caps in June 2024, is set to bolster a Coleraine squad that secured the Irish Cup and finished second in the Premiership last season.
McMenamin initially moved to St Mirren in 2023 from Glentoran, where he had a prolific spell, netting 33 goals in 66 appearances. His time in Scotland saw him feature in a League Cup final victory over Celtic. Prior to Glentoran, he also played for Linfield, Warrenpoint Town, and Cliftonville in the Irish League, making him a familiar and respected figure in Northern Irish football.
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins expressed considerable enthusiasm about the signing, describing it as a "really, really exciting" acquisition for the club. Higgins highlighted McMenamin's professionalism and ambition, noting that the player is "desperate for success" and keen to help Coleraine win trophies, particularly as the club targets its first Gibson Cup since 1974.
The transfer marks Coleraine's third summer signing, following the arrivals of Ben Doherty from Derry City and Scottish winger Jay Henderson, who also came from the St Mirren academy. McMenamin's addition is seen as a significant statement of intent, strengthening a frontline that already includes the formidable duo of Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper, who collectively scored 41 league goals last season.
Despite signing a contract extension with St Mirren in January, McMenamin's playing time reportedly decreased after fellow Northern Irishman Stephen Robinson departed the Scottish club to take the manager's role at Aberdeen in March. This reduction in opportunities under interim boss Craig McLeish is understood to have played a role in his decision to return home, where he will aim to recapture the form that made him one of the standout players in the Irish League during his previous tenure.
For Coleraine fans, the prospect of McMenamin joining an already potent attack is a tantalising one, demonstrating the club's commitment to continuous recruitment of quality players. While at 30, and having faced some recent injury concerns, his direct style and goal-scoring instincts are expected to make a substantial impact as Coleraine push for the Irish Premiership title in the upcoming campaign.