Conor McMenamin says his short-lived move to Coleraine “was not meant to be” after his shock deadline day return to Glentoran.

The 31-year-old joined the Bannsiders in June on a long-term deal from St Mirren but has now made an unexpected return to the Glens for his second spell at the club.

McMenamin scored 39 goals in 80 appearances for the east Belfast side before he moved to the Buddies in 2023.

“Before I went to Coleraine, Glentoran wasn’t an option and, as soon as I found out that they were this time around, I said to my agent to get it done quick,” McMenamin told BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson.

“I’m delighted and I want to play with that smile and that freedom that I did before I came here.

“It’s been pretty challenging the last two months for me, and I probably didn’t really enjoy any of the last two months. Now I’ve got that spark back, I’m happy to be here, and I can’t wait to get going.”

McMenamin did not start a game for Coleraine during his short spell at the club and made three substitute appearances for the side in the Irish Premiership.

Despite the move failing to live up to the hopes that surrounded it, McMenamin added that it was “nobody’s fault”.

“It didn’t work out at Coleraine and that is nobody’s fault and I have no bad things to say about Coleraine,” he continued.

“From a family and personal perspective, it was not meant to be. I am glad to be back here and playing football.

“I couldn’t commit to living up there. It was too far to travel, and I have family in Downpatrick, and it just wasn’t working out, and my partner is from Scotland. These things happen in football.”

The Northern Ireland international made the move from the Glens to St Mirren in 2023 and made 64 appearances during his time at the Buddies.

He was also part of the St Mirren side that beat Celtic in the 2025-26 League Cup final.

Now, that experience of winning silverware is something that McMenamin hopes to bring back with him to the Glens.

“When I was in Scotland, I got a taste for winning trophies, and it was an unbelievable experience as a player, and this club deserves to win trophies,” he continued.

“We have to be able to try and bring the league back here. That’s what a big club should do and a big club should be ambitious to win trophies and I hope I can help fulfil that ambition.

“I’m here for a long time and, you know, I’m here to play well and I’m here to win games for Glentoran and I am excited for that.”

McMenamin is also hopeful that the return to familiar surrounding may revive his international ambitions.

He has won 14 Northern Ireland caps but has not featured in a green and white shirt since June 2024.

The winger added that he has already spoken to Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill about his return to his former club and has no intention of closing the door on his international career.

“I actually spoke to Michael [O’Neill] about the move.

“That is something as a player that I’ll never close the door on. It’s the best memories of my career.

“I now need to do well for Glentoran before any of that happens. So, I’ll just look forward and do well for Glentoran and hopefully Michael will ring my phone again.”