'The Irish League is improving': Conor McMenamin opens up on his switch back home after joining Coleraine

The winger has secured a move back across the Irish Sea at Coleraine after the Bannsiders agreed an undisclosed fee with St Mirren.

McMenamin has agreed terms on a three-year deal at The Showgrounds, bringing an end to his stint in the Scottish top flight.

The Downpatrick man helped the Buddies finish in the top six twice, as well as celebrate League Cup success last season when they beat Celtic at Hampden Park during his three-year spell in Paisley.

However, the wing wizard is set to terrorise Irish League defences yet again after making a devastating impact – notably at Cliftonville and Glentoran – during previous spells of his career on home soil.

Upon his return to the Irish League, McMenamin said: "I think it's changed a bit since I've left - for the good that is.

"That's what excites me and when I spoke to the gaffer about that, he made it clear that everything is improving.

"That was one of the big reasons for me coming back home because the league, the standard and the professionalism is getting higher every year.

"To be a part of that is exciting so I'm looking forward to it.

"My time at St Mirren was unbelievable.

"It is such a good club, made friends for life and we obviously had so much success.

"We had top-six finishes, we won the League Cup last year by beating Celtic in the final, memories that'll last a lifetime.

"I've got nothing but good things to say about the club and my team-mates there were very good to me."

McMenamin has 14 international caps with Northern Ireland to his name and scored for the country in a qualifier against San Marino back in 2024.

He hasn’t been capped for well over a year but says being involved in the international set-up has provided him with some of the best moments of his life.

"It's been the best days of my life and career,” he added. "Maybe not my life as I've just had a baby boy there in Glasgow and I have a daughter here back home as well!

"But playing for your country is any footballer's dream, so to play at the highest level and achieve that so many times, was beyond my wildest dreams when I started playing football as a kid.

"They are memories that I'll cherish forever and it was nothing but good times.”

The Bannsiders had silverware to show for their efforts last season after beating Dungannon Swifts in an exciting Irish Cup final last month.

It came just a week after they were pipped to the title by Larne on the final day, with just three points separating Coleraine and the Inver Reds after the final ball was kicked.

Coleraine will go into next season as one of the favourites to get their hands on the Gibson Cup and that challenge is one that McMenamin relishes.

He stated: "I wanted to come to a club which is challenging for trophies and has that expectation of demanding trophies and winning.

"Trophies are hard to come by in your career and I want to come to a team that strives for that.

"So I think with the group of players that we have in the building, there’s no reason why we can’t aim for all those things.

"I watched the Irish Cup last year, saw the big day out and the supporters...that sort of stuff excites me.

"Obviously the club hasn’t won the league in a long time.

"So to maybe be a part of that is what we should be aiming for as a team now.”

Coleraine had been in discussions with McMenamin and his representatives for a number of weeks before the move was finalised, with McMenamin being pleased with the plans he heard from first-team manager Ruaidhri Higgins.

"I'm obviously excited about the move,” he continued. "I think it all happened a bit quick and obviously in football, things can change so quickly.

"When I spoke to the gaffer here and watching from afar, I like how things are done here and try to build on the success from last year.

"We've got a good squad of players here that I'm looking forward to playing with.

"I think with the timing of everything...the fit seemed right.

"As soon as I spoke to Ruaidhri, he said where he wanted me to play.

"And play in my natural position, that I would start helping the team by scoring and assisting.

"Hopefully I can bring success to Coleraine and that's why I'm here.”

Regarding those negotiations, Higgins declared that all parties had to make “sacrifices” in order for the deal to go through.

However, the Coleraine chief is understandably pleased to have McMenamin at the top end of the pitch, which already has star talent with the likes of Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin at his disposal.

"It's a really, really exciting signing for the football club,” beamed Bannsiders boss Higgins. "We've worked really, really hard at this.

"There's been a bit of sacrifice from all parties and we've been able to make it happen.

"There's been a lot of hard work that's gone into it, some brilliant conversations with Conor and his agent, and we finally got there.

"It's one that will really excite people.

"He's done fantastic in Scotland.

"He's had a really good time there...he's probably played in a position that's not his natural position at St Mirren.

"I feel it hasn't really allowed him to show his real attacking attributes.

"It's great that he'll be playing for us in a system where we can get him into really, really good areas of the pitch where he can show his real true talent.”

Coleraine have yielded from investment in recent years as Henry Ross took ownership in December 2024.

That has allowed the north coast club to bring in top-class players such as the aforementioned Cooper, Will Patching and Mark Coyle.

However, Higgins has downplayed the “the big spending” tag as he claims next season’s budget is exactly the same as the 2025/26 campaign.

"It's our third signing of the summer,” he commented, with Jay Henderson and Ben Doherty also coming through the gates at The Showgrounds. "Without question, the backing from the club has been phenomenal.

"But what I would say is that the budget is exactly the same as it was last year.

"I think six players have left the club, we've brought in three and we're obviously trying to retain Charles Dunne, who we are speaking to at the minute.

"Quality is far, far more important than quantity.

"As I've said, six players have left the club, we've brought in three and the club has been fantastic.

"You're going to people saying 'Coleraine are firing money around' and straight away that's going to be the thing...yes we have a good budget but it's the same budget as last year.

"I work closely with Dale (Pryde-MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer) every single day on our budget and how we can be as shrewd as possible.”