Former Lincoln City midfielder Michael O’Connor has committed his future to Glenavon, signing a new two-year deal after taking charge in difficult circumstances last season.
The Lurgan Blues confirmed O’Connor will remain at the helm despite their eventual relegation from the Irish Premiership, with the ex-Imp having taken over in November 2025 when the club were already 10 points adrift at the foot of the table.
That context is important. When O’Connor stepped in, the situation looked bleak, but he did manage to spark a response. Glenavon closed the gap, overtook Crusaders, and briefly climbed out of the automatic relegation spot in March before their fate was sealed after the split.
Now, attention turns to next season and a campaign in the Championship, the club’s first in the second tier since 2004-05, with O’Connor given the opportunity to rebuild with a squad shaped in his own image. Assistant managers Andy Doyle and Mark Ferguson have also agreed to stay, offering continuity heading into what will be a significant reset.
Club director Cathal Morrison was full of praise for the former Lincoln man, highlighting both the circumstances he inherited and the attitude he has shown since.
“Michael did a tremendous job under trying circumstances. There’s not a board member, a player, a volunteer, or a fan that doesn’t want to see what he can do with a squad of his own making, and without having to give the rest of the league an 11-game head start. To his genuine credit, Michael wanted to come back and finish what he started, and his staff hold the same attitude, so we go again next season.”
For Lincoln supporters, O’Connor’s name brings back fond memories. The Belfast-born midfielder first arrived at Sincil Bank on loan from Crewe Alexandra in March 2009, making an immediate impression during a short spell that hinted at his quality.
That form earned him a £250,000 move to Scunthorpe United later that year, where he went on to establish himself across both the Championship and League One. His career then took him to Rotherham United, where he played a key role in back-to-back promotions, before a move to Port Vale saw him pick up Player of the Year honours in 2014-15.
However, it was his return to Lincoln in 2018 that cemented his place in Imps folklore.
Joining as an experienced head under Danny Cowley, O’Connor became a central figure in the League Two title-winning side of 2018-19, making 67 appearances across two seasons. He brought leadership, quality on the ball, and a calmness that helped guide the team through promotion and into the third tier.
He also etched his name into the record books, scoring Lincoln’s first goal back in the third tier of the EFL era in the 2-0 win against Accrington Stanley on the opening day of the 2019-20 season. As the squad evolved under Michael Appleton, his role diminished, and a loan spell at Salford followed, but his contribution to that title-winning side and the early steps back in League One should not be underestimated.
Now, he finds himself at the start of another rebuild, this time from the dugout rather than midfield. The task at Glenavon is clear, reshape the squad, instil his ideas, and push for a return to the top flight. Personally, I really liked him as a player and a person, and it’s great to see him cutting his teeth in club management.
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