McDonagh: 'I want to get my career back on track'
Cliftonville winger signs for Newry City on loan
New Newry City signing Jamie McDonagh says he wants to reignite his career after joining the Sports Direct Premiership club on loan for the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Glenavon from Cliftonville, but his appearances were curtailed after he feinted at Mourneview Park following a League Cup match in October, sustaining serious facial injuries.
Now, he's aiming to lift City off the bottom of the table. Barry Gray's side are currently six points behind Ballymena United.
And the former Derry City and Glentoran winger wants to change that as soon as possible.
“I'm delighted to come to Newry and I'm pleased Barry has shown faith in me to sign me for the final six months of the season, " McDonagh said.
"Obviously I went to Glenavon earlier in the season to get my career back on track and unfortunately with the accident I had, that didn't work out. I now have the chance to do that at Newry and I'm determined to use my time here both to get my career back on track to where I was at my pinnacle a few seasons ago and also to keep Newry in the Premiership.
"I think both of those things can go hand in hand and with the resources that we have here at the club we can do that," he feels.
“I was at the match last week with Cliftonville and was able to watch the Newry performance and hear the backing that they got from the fans. I'm sure we can put on more performances like that, only with a better result and the fans will continue to be behind us.
"I'm just looking forward to get going now.”
McDonagh becomes Gray's fourth signing of the January window, having already secured the services of Steven Ball from Warrenpoint and goalkeeper Conor Mitchell from Dungannon on permanent deals. Attacker Brandon Doyle has also arrived on loan from Crusaders.
“As we build the team and look forward to putting together a fight to stay in the Premiership, I feel Jamie will really help us deliver on the pitch," says the City boss, who took over on January 2nd
“Jamie is an experienced Premiership footballer and his quality speaks for itself. Obviously he has played for several very established teams and I’m confident that he will be a good fit for us moving into the remaining games."