Doherty returns

The youngster had left the club during the summer after taking up a full-time job in Galway but after making his way back up north, reserve manager Gerard McMahon wasted no time in ensuring Doherty was put straight back onto Glenavon’s books.

“Ciaran Doherty is back now after leaving his job in Galway. I was on the phone to him as soon as I heard,” he said.

“He’s signed for the rest of the season and I’m hoping that he can push into Marty’s plans. Marty’s always asking about him and we just need to give him a couple of weeks to get fit. He came on for about 35 minutes against Linfield and another hour on Saturday. It’s getting him back up to full fitness now because he’s still a bit off the pace.”

Doherty was arguably McMahon’s best player for the club’s second string last season and he was expected to make the step up to Marty Quinn’s first team sooner rather than later before his departure during the summer. Now that he’s back in the fold, will he go straight back into Quinn’s plans?

“We need to get a lot of games over him and just watch the space,” said the boss.

“He has a lot of ability, there’s no doubt that. We’ve got to bring that out now and try and get his head right. All being well he can progress if he keeps going as he is at the moment.”

In the meantime, Doherty will increase competition for places in McMahon’s high-flying reserve team.

“Counting Ciaran I think I have about 20 players and only 11 shirts to fill so some boys aren’t going to be happy. We’re trying to mix and match and give people as many games as possible,” said McMahon.