Conor McMenamin is on the verge of making a stunning Irish League return with Coleraine understood to be closing in on signing the Northern Ireland international.

McMenamin lit up the Premiership during his previous stint with Glentoran, scoring 33 goals in 66 league appearances across two full seasons at The Oval.

That form earned the 30-year-old a move to Scottish Premiership club St Mirren – who were managed by fellow countryman Stephen Robinson – in 2023 with the pair helping the Buddies seal Scottish League Cup glory last term.

McMenamin signed a new one-year contract extension with the Paisley club in January, a deal which was set to keep him in Scotland until 2027, but he is now poised for a return to Northern Ireland’s top-flight.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Conor McMenamin. (Photo by INPHO/Brian Little)

It’s another major move from Coleraine, who finished second in the Premiership last season before celebrating Irish Cup glory.

With lethal duo Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin already at the Bannsiders – they combined to score 41 league goals last season – the arrival of McMenamin would provide further firepower for manager Ruaidhri Higgins.

McMenamin, who also enjoyed Irish League spells with Linfield, Warrenpoint Town and Cliftonville, has racked up 14 caps for Northern Ireland – his last appearance was in June 2024.

He received his first call-up while playing in the Premiership with manager Ian Baraclough saying “he has been one of the top three outstanding players in the Irish League”.

Robinson described McMenamin as “someone with immense talent who can influence games” after giving the green light for his new contract.

However, former Northern Ireland coach Robinson left for Aberdeen in March and McMenamin was limited to cameo appearances under interim boss Craig McLeish at the end of last season as St Mirren staved off relegation in a play-off.