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Player News: 3 contracts extended

Fri, 14/12/2018 - 10:23

Glentoran is pleased to announce that Joe Crowe, Paul O’Neill and James McCarthy last night signed contract extensions that commit them to the club until the end of the 2020-21 season

Joe Crowe (20) joined the club in August after a brief spell with Linfield. He can play as a holding midfielder but in the past eleven matches has been the one constant figure in what has been a fluctuating central defence.  He had initially signed until the end of this season but the management team moved quickly to get him tied up longer term after his impressive start. He was previously with Norwich City and Limerick City (loan). He made his debut in August against Coleraine and has now made 17 first team appearances.

Paul O’Neill (18) has been earmarked as a player with a great future since he signed from Cliftonville as a 13 year old in January 2014. He was so highly rated at 17 that he was taken with the first team squad to Detroit in May 2017 and even started the match after Curtis Allen picked up a late injury. Paul has been on fire for the U20s this season with 10 goals in his last 3 starts. Paul made his first team debut as a 17-year old sub v Ards in the last game of the 2016/17 season and won a penalty within five minutes of coming on. So far he has made eight first team appearances.

James McCarthy (18), a native of Ballybeen is a true Academy product, having joined Glentoran Academy from local boys club Dungoyne as an 11-year old in August 2012.  He has a textbook rise through the age groups, often as captain of his year. James is primarily a left sided centre back but has so far been seen mostly at left back in his six appearances for the first team. He made his first team debut v Ballinamallard as substitute in the last home match of last season.

   

Ronnie McFall said on completing the signings: “As well as strengthening the squad with experienced players, Glentoran also needs to be committing to the best of the club’s young prospects and that’s what we’ve done here. A big part of my job is to help lay the foundations for Gary and Leeper to take the club forward and I’m very committed to doing that along with them. I think the players we’ve brought in so far along with re-signing these younger players will play a big part in delivering a positive future for the club.

Joe Crowe has settled in very well and has played very well in his first few months in what hasn’t been a settled central defence through suspensions and form. It’s important to remember Joe is only 20 because he’s been playing like someone much more experienced. I know the club will see the best of him as he grows in experience as he has plenty of ability and confidence. The other two lads – Paul and James – are players who I’m confident have great careers ahead of them at Glentoran. They’re both just 18 but they have been here for a long time and are both Glentoran through and through and are determined to succeed here. If they keep progressing as they are and keep listening to the right people and team mates they should be at the club a long time and have very successful first team careers”.