Gary Hamilton pints led to ex-NI midfielder joining Glenavon

Photo shows Former Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton
-Credit: (Image: INPHO/John McVitty)


Michael O'Connor has recalled how Gary Hamilton convinced him to sign for Glenavon over "four or five pints" following his return from England.

The former Northern Ireland international joined the Lurgan Blues amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, just six months after signing for Salford City.

O'Connor's playing career saw him feature for clubs including Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Port Vale and Notts County, while he also earned 11 caps for Northern Ireland.

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The 36-year-old - now assistant coach at Coleraine - told BBC Sportsound: "I played five or six games (for Salford) before coronavirus >Covid hit. And we decided to move back (to Northern Ireland).

"The day before I got a phone call from Ian Holloway at Grimsby. He wanted to sign me, but I made the decision to move back.

"I was going into coaching and then Gary (Hamilton) and Mackers (Paul McAreavey) rang me. I think Gary got me four or five pints and that was it."

Photo shows Michael O'Connor
Michael O'Connor spent three years at Glenavon -Credit:INPHO/Philip Magowan

O'Connor says he loved his time in the Irish League despite initially finding the transition from full-time football "a struggle".

He added: "It was a good three years there. It was different to what I was used to as it was part-time football and I wasn't used to it. I struggled the first year.

"I was used to full-time, being in four or five days a week. And now I was sitting about all day and then getting ready to go training at 5.30pm or 6pm. So I struggled with that at the start but I loved my time there."

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