Glentoran have agreed loans for goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly and winger Jude Johnson to Glenavon, with manager Declan Devine labelling the Championship move an “outstanding opportunity” for both young players. Donnelly, 20, has already racked up four Premiership appearances and four senior clubs on loan since his Glentoran debut in April 2024, while Johnson notched 23 games for Annagh United last term.
What did Devine say about the loans?
Devine stressed the loans will test Donnelly and Johnson in a competitive environment every week. “These are two outstanding opportunities for Jude and Lorcan and they’re thoroughly deserved,” he said. “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.” Donnelly’s fifth loan spell takes him to Glenavon after stints at Lisburn Distillery, Newry City, Ballinamallard United and Carrick Rangers.
Why Glenavon fits the bill
Paul Millar, Glentoran’s sporting director, spent seven years as Gary Hamilton’s assistant at Glenavon and backs the move. “At this stage of their careers, both players need to be playing senior football every week,” Millar said. “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.” Glenavon sit in the Championship’s promotion places and are expected to push for a top-two finish this season.
How the duo have grown so far
Donnelly made his Premiership bow for Glentoran at Coleraine in April 2024 and added four more top-flight outings at Carrick Rangers. Johnson, meanwhile, struck 23 times in all competitions for Annagh United, including 19 in the league, and has already featured twice in the Premiership for Glentoran. Devine added: “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 still only 20.”
Glentoran finished second in the 2025 Premiership table with 69 points from 33 games, four adrift of champions Larne, and opened the new campaign with a heavy 6-2 loss at Coleraine on 25 April 2026.
