Conor McMenamin walked into the Showgrounds in Coleraine not as a returning hero, but as a man with something to prove — and a 33-goal record in 66 games that insists he’s still got the fire. The 30-year-old Northern Ireland international, who last wore the green jersey in June 2024 with 14 caps to his name, has left Scotland’s St Mirren to rejoin the Irish Premiership, signing a long-term deal with Coleraine after a permanent transfer was sealed. His return marks a pivotal moment for a club that came within a breath of the title last season, finishing second in the league and lifting the Irish Cup under manager Ruaidhri Higgins.
McMenamin’s journey has been anything but linear. After standout spells with Glentoran, Linfield, Warrenpoint Town, and Cliftonville, he made the move to St Mirren in 2023 — a transfer fueled by his prolific form on home soil. There, he started in the League Cup final victory over Celtic, a highlight in a season that began with promise. But when Stephen Robinson exited for Aberdeen in March, McMenamin’s role diminished under interim boss Craig McLeish, limited to substitute appearances despite having signed a contract extension just months earlier, one that would have kept him at Paisley until 2027.
Now, back on familiar ground, he joins a Coleraine frontline already bristling with firepower. Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper combined for 41 league goals last season, and McMenamin’s arrival adds a seasoned edge to a squad aiming to go one step further. Higgins, clearly energized by the signing, called it “a really, really exciting signing for the football club,” emphasizing McMenamin’s professionalism and hunger: “He made it very clear that he wants to help us win things — and we’re now in a position that we have to win.”
This isn’t just a reunion with Irish football; it’s a statement. Coleraine, already strengthened by the signing of Ben Doherty from Derry City, is assembling a squad built to break a 50-year title drought — their last Gibson Cup win came in 1974. McMenamin may not have the same blistering pace as in his Glentoran days, and recent injury setbacks have tested his rhythm, but his goal instincts, experience, and proven ability in big moments make him a dangerous addition.
As the new season looms, the Bannsiders aren’t just building — they’re declaring. With McMenamin back where he once dazzled, and a manager who knows how to unlock his potential, Coleraine’s charge for silverware has found both its spark and its spine.