Glentoran manager Declan Devine believes loan moves to Glenavon for goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly and Jude Johnson represent “outstanding opportunities”.

A temporary switch to the Lurgan Blues will mark a fifth loan spell for 20-year-old Donnelly, who has previously enjoyed time at Lisburn Distillery, Newry City, Ballinamallard United and Carrick Rangers, while Johnson spent last season with Championship high-flyers Annagh United.

Donnelly made his Premiership debut for the Glens against Coleraine in April 2024 and got a further taste for the top flight at Carrick, playing four times for Stephen Baxter’s side.

Winger Johnson made 23 appearances in all competitions for Annagh, including 19 in the league, and has featured twice in the Premiership for Glentoran.

placeholder image — Lorcan Donnelly with Glenavon goalkeeping coach Reggie Hillen. (Photo by Glenavon FC)

With competition for places fierce at The Oval, Devine believes spending the upcoming campaign with Michael O’Connor’s Glenavon will help both players progress.

"These are two outstanding opportunities for Jude and Lorcan and they're thoroughly deserved,” said Devine. “Both players have worked incredibly hard and this is the right next step in their careers.

"Jude has reached the stage where he's outgrown development football. He needs to be playing senior football every week because that's where he'll continue to improve. His spell at Annagh United last season was excellent for him.

“He came back with a better understanding of the game, the physical demands of senior football and what's required to compete consistently. Another opportunity to play regularly will only help him kick on again.

"Lorcan is a very talented young goalkeeper and we've got huge belief in him. He's shown his quality every time he's gone out on loan and has already built up an exceptional amount of senior experience for someone who is still only 20.

“Goalkeepers develop by playing games, making decisions and dealing with the pressure that comes with senior football, and that's something you simply can't recreate on the training ground.

“Glenavon is a club that's expected to compete at the top end of the Championship, so we know both players are going into an environment that will test them every single week.”

Paul Millar, Glentoran’s sporting director, spent seven years as Gary Hamilton’s assistant manager at Glenavon and believes it’s the right move for the highly-rated pair.

“We're delighted to get these moves completed because we believe they're the right ones for Jude and Lorcan,” said Millar. "At this stage of their careers, both players need to be playing senior football every week.

"There's no better way for young players to develop than by getting out there and dealing with everything that comes with first-team football.

"We've got a lot of belief in both of them. Jude has made excellent progress over the last year and showed during his spell at Annagh United that he's ready for another challenge.

“Lorcan has been outstanding with the way he's approached every loan move and has built up a tremendous amount of senior experience for a goalkeeper who is still only 20.

"Glenavon is a great club and we're confident it's a move that will benefit both players.

"We'll be keeping a close eye on them throughout the season and we're looking forward to seeing them come back to Glentoran better players, with even more experience behind them.”