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Gareth Fullerton

Ex-Irish League star hails teen brother's history-making moment with Glentoran

Irish League legend Marty Donnelly has voiced his pride after watching younger brother Conor Haughey become a Glentoran history-maker on Tuesday night.

Haughey was introduced as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Lisburn Distillery in the Co Antrim Shield.

At just 15 years, three months and eight days, he becomes the youngest ever player to feature for the Glens ' first-team.

Read more: Glentoran teen tipped for 'bigger and better things' by coach McAree

Former Cliftonville, Crusaders and Larne winger Donnelly was an interested spectator at the Oval, and says the family were overjoyed when the talented teen came on to make his senior debut.

"It was brilliant when he came on. To become Glentoran 's youngest ever player is unbelievable, especially in a team like that," Donnelly told Belfast Live.

"Conor is a talented kid. he has been over at Fleetwood and Huddersfield, and he is also with the JD Academy at Jordanstown so he is getting that full-time training.

"He has been captain for his Northern Ireland side as well.

"He plays centre half or centre midfield. He is 6ft 1in already - that's why people don't believe he is my brother. He has definitely got the height on me."

Donnelly addd: "Me and my dad were sitting together, and we thought Glentoran had made all their substitutes. So we thought that was that.

"We were just chilling and watching the match and then my dad shouts: 'There he is there!'. So we were trying to get our phones out to take photos and record video.

"I was telling my dad to hurry up. I think the Glens wanted to get Conor on sooner, but it was such a tight match they held off.

"But fair play to Mick (McDermott) and the coaches. They spoke to us after the game and they were brilliant."

Haughey was one of seven players to make their senior debuts for Glentoran on Tuesday night.

Manager Mick McDermott also used Oliver Webber, Johnny Russell, Harry Murphy, Terry Devlin, Joshua Stewart and Kirk McLaughlin in the win over the Whites.

"Conor has no fear. If they told him he was starting the game he would be fine. He has a great attitude and stuff," Donnelly said.

"He was actually raging he didn't get more time on the pitch. That's the type of kid he is, he just wants to play.

"It wasn't all this 'ah, that was amazing'. He wanted to play more.

"That's what you want and hopefully he just kicks on now. Dear knows when he will get another chance but he will be ready when called upon."

Donnelly added: "Hopefully Conor can go far. The difference when we were kids is that we didn't have anything. We played with our mates until we were 16 o 17 and you had the Milk Cup and Foyle Cup and stuff.

"Now they are getting full-time training and working with the likes of Andy Waterworth at the IFA Academy. They are playing with Northern Ireland squads.

"And there seems to be a lot more kids moving across the water. So I think Conor can definitely do well in football."

Donnelly says Glentoran boss McDermott presented the family with Conor's shirt after Tuesday's match.

He said: "We waited downstairs and Mick came out. Fair play to Mick, they came out and gave my dad Conor's top and stuff and chatted away.

"We are going to get his jersey framed. My dad asked me to frame it and I said 100 per cent. That one is for keeps.

"It is some achievement playing for Glentoran at that age, especially at a club the size of the Glens. Over all those decades, my wee brother is now their youngest ever player. It is some going.

"It is one thing making your senior debut at a young age, but to become a history-maker is something else. It will be hard to beat.

"I can't even remember what I was doing when I as 15. Probably drinking a bottle of WKD on the street!

"It was worthwhile going to the Oval. I said to Conor it was lucky he came on, because I was missing Celtic vs Real Madrid for this game. If he hadn't come on I would have killed him!"

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