Glentoran make McCann switch

By Kenny Archer

The surname McCann has hogged the headlines in Northern Ireland's transfer market over the past month. While one McCann has left Northern Irish Premier Division champions Glentoran FC, another has landed at The Oval - and yet another has quit their arch-rivals Linfield FC.

Southern move
On his way from Glentoran was Tim McCann, who has left Northern Ireland entirely, turning down an approach from Lisburn Distillery FC, who have been knocked out of the UEFA Intertoto Cup by Lithuania's FK Žalgiris Vilnius, to join Sligo Rovers FC in the Republic of Ireland. The 25-year-old won two league titles in four seasons with the east Belfast club.

Glentoran signing
Joining Glentoran was 24-year-old Peter McCann, who moved from Irish Cup-winners Portadown FC. The midfielder said goodbye to Shamrock Park after four years, winning the league in 2001/02, the season in which he was named Northern Irish Football Writers' Young Player of the Year.

New Distillery trio
The other McCann, leaving Linfield, was yet another midfielder, Ryan. He did agree to go to Lisburn, along with two Glentoran players, midfielder Andy Kilmartin and striker Damien McLaughlin.

European warm-up
Peter McCann made his Glentoran debut at the weekend, along with fellow summer signing Jody Tolan, as the champions defeated their Welsh counterparts Total Network Solutions FC to warm up for their all-Ireland meeting with Shelbourne FC in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round on 13 and 20 July. TNS's Northern Irish goalkeeper Gerard Doherty will now go on to face Liverpool FC.

Lindsay chance
Young defender Kris Lindsay could still have European football to look forward to, despite agreeing to switch from Portadown to the team they defeated in the Irish Cup final, Larne FC. Lindsay remains on Portadown's books until next month and could play Norway's Viking FK in the UEFA Cup first qualifying round on 14 and 28 July. Linfield, meanwhile, face FK Ventspils of Latvia.

Hughes trial
Lindsay could be a replacement at Inver Park for teenager Jeff Hughes, who was linked with Glentoran but has now gone on trial with English side Lincoln City FC. Meanwhile, brothers Lee and Cullen Feeney are both on the move. Centre-half Cullen has been released by Portadown while attacker Lee is set to end a spell south of the border with Shamrock Rovers FC. The duo have been linked with Newry City FC.