Glentoran winger Conor McMenamin says an enforced winter break has him refreshed and raring to go heading into the business end of the season.
McMenamin got to spend a few days in the sun with his young daughter Daisy in the wake of a lengthy suspension following his straight red card in the Ovalmen’s 1-1 festive draw with Linfield.
The 26-year-old missed three games at the start of January but made a goal scoring return in Friday night’s 2-1 win over Crusaders.
“A week before the Crusaders game I was sitting on a beach in Marbella,” said McMenamin. “The gaffer gave me some time off and I was able to take my daughter to Spain.
“Because I was suspended he told me to take a few days away from football and relax and it was great to get a short break with my wee girl.
“It was lovely and it actually helped me reset and I was really pleased to come back into the team and repay the manager with a goal.
"It was great to make an impact in my first game back.
“He actually joked with me before the Crusaders game ‘you’d better look fresh tonight’ so it was great to contribute to a big three points for the team.”
Friday night’s win at Seaview, after the Crues led 1-0 at the break, was the second fightback victory in North Belfast in four days following a similar 2-1 win over Cliftonville at Solitude.
“I was actually on the flight home the night of the Cliftonville game and I was checking the score when I managed to get a phone signal,” he said.
“It was great for the boys to get over the line and we showed similar character to come back against Crusaders who have been flying in recent weeks.
“We weren’t at our best in the first half and played in front of them, but in the second half we put the ball into good areas and were more dangerous.
“It was great to get on the scoresheet after being suspended for three games and to go 1-0 down and win was a massive three points.”
Next up for the Glens is Tuesday night's home clash with Coleraine who drew 2-2 on their last visit to the BetMcLean Oval in September.
“They’re all big games now,” said McMenamin. “Coleraine is another massive one, but that’s why I came to Glentoran, to play in big games.”
The versatile McMenamin has scored 19 goals in 62 appearnances for the Mersey Street men since joining the club from Cliftonville last January.
