Irish League legend admits current managerial job 'the most wanted I've felt in my career'

Former Glenavon chief Hamilton made a return to Irish League management with third-tier Ballymacash ahead of the current campaign and has already enjoyed success, leading the Lisburn-based club to Steel & Sons Cup glory on Christmas Day.

Hamilton spent almost 12 years at the helm of Glenavon, masterminding their charge to two Irish Cup crowns and also guided them to four third-placed Premiership finishes across five seasons between 2014/15 and 2018/19.

He departed the Lurgan Blues in September 2023, and while Hamilton was in no rush to make a dugout return, an ambitious Ballymacash project tempted him back alongside assistant Paul McAreavey.

Having already achieved historic cup success, Hamilton will now be hoping to guide Ballymacash into the Championship with four teams set to gain promotion at the end of this season.

While working at a different level to what he was previously used to as both a player and manager, Hamilton has loved the experience.

"I'm not talking about in terms of the league it's in, but it's been the best club and the most wanted I've felt in my career, and I know Paul feels the same,” he told BBC Sportsound. “Our families both love it, his kids love it, my kids really enjoy seeing me back in football and I have loved every minute of it so far.

"It has been amazing the way they've treated us. The facilities they have at the club is a credit to them and I'm not exaggerating when I say there isn't a Premiership club in the country who has the facilities we have off the pitch.

"For a young player looking to give themselves the best opportunity of becoming a better player, he has the chance to play in the PIL against men rather than U20s football and the facilities to make sure they are getting themselves in the best physical condition and recover right so they don't get as many injuries.

"It's an unbelievable set-up and all the credit goes to the club."

During his time at Glenavon, Hamilton also developed a reputation for providing opportunities to young players – the likes of Mark Sykes, Bobby Burns, Rhys Marshall and Joel Cooper all excelled under his management.

While faced with a different challenge in his current role, Hamilton’s principles have remained the same with a number of players arriving from the academies of Premiership clubs.

"At Glenavon, I would have went into the Championship or other leagues below us and got young, exciting players and given them an opportunity,” he added. “It's harder to go into the Amateur League believe it or not to get players to move up because there's so much finance floating around the lower leagues, which is unreal.

"One way we've benefitted is we've taken players out of U20 teams that aren't training with the first team and given them an opportunity to play against men.

"If you can get 30 or 40 games behind you, that gives you a chance of moving up to the Premiership.

"I used to say at Glenavon to young players if you stay and play 60 or 70 matches, like Sykesy or Bobby Burns, you have the potential to move across the water. It's at a different level but it's the same principle in our thinking."