Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Steven Crawford

Michael O'Neill's thoughts on potential moves for Lee Bonis and Conor McMenamin

Michael O'Neill feels Lee Bonis and Conor McMenamin have the qualities needed to play in England.

Both players have been linked with moves away from their respective clubs this summer after impressing in the Irish League.

O'Neill is also a big fan of the duo and has called them up to the Northern Ireland the senior men’s international training camp ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Denmark and Kazakhstan next month.

Read more: Warrenpoint Town handed lifeline as NIFL announces expanded PIL

Speaking ahead of the group meeting up in England O'Neill said he understood why there was a lot of interest in the players.

"I saw Lee against Cliftonville and he scored and the game I really wanted to see him in was against Linfield, he was suspended that night unfortunately," he said.

"English football in particular wants strikers who are mobile, can work and almost be the first line of defence.

"The ideas of strikers not being able to run or put themselves about and press, there aren't many teams interested in that.

"I know those are qualities that Lee naturally has and he's essentially only been a professional for a year since he's gone to Larne in a full-time situation.

"I think we've seen a real upturn as to where he is as a player, so we'd hope that if he keeps on that trajectory, then there's no reason why he can't get that opportunity.

"Lee's had a great first season at Larne in terms of his numbers and what he's brought to the team.

"I had a good conversation with Tiernan (Lynch) about him and he spoke very highly of him.

"I know there's a lot of clubs who have expressed an interest and are keeping an eye on that situation, so it's great having him in.

"It's a bit similar to when we had Liam Boyce in when he was at Cliftonville and then he went onto Ross County, so hopefully, there will be an opportunity for Lee.

"Conor's a talented player and I think he's possibly a little bit older than what you see when players go across from the Irish League but because of the type of he is, I think that opportunity will always potentially be there for him.

"He's at the stage where it needs to happen this summer.

"Lee and Conor are in for both training camps and then we will evaluate that moving forward. I'm excited to see the two lads.

"We will probably see over 30 players across the two camps but obviously we have to trim that down for the two games."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.