By Cahair O’Kane
CLIFTONVILLE have further bolstered their strike force by re-signing Rory Donnelly after a five-year absence.
The 25-year-old left The Reds in January 2012 after sealing a move to Swansea City, who were then managed by Brendan Rodgers.
He failed to make an impact at the Liberty Stadium but after loan spells at Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers, he signed for Gillingham in 2015 where he made 66 appearances before being released at the end of last season.
Donnelly had been linked with a move to Glentoran but has chosen instead to return to Solitude.
The news capped a good night for Barry Gray’s side as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over Banbridge Town in the second round of the JBE League Cup, with Donnelly’s brother Jay netting twice and Joe Gormley also getting on the scoresheet.
It was a night of no real surprises, with Coleraine and Linfield easing through with big wins.
Louis Rooney netted a late hat-trick on his debut for the reigning league champions, while Josh Robinson also got his first goal for the club in a 6-0 win over Lisburn Distillery.
Crusaders had to come from behind against Dundela after Jordan Hughes’ early goal for the visitors threatened a shock, but goals from Mark McAllister and Ryan Nimick edged Stephen Baxter’s men through.
Coleraine continued their superb start to the campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Larne, with three goals in the space of six minutes putting them in control at half-time, two of them from Joe McCready on his full debut.
Ballymena United began their defence of the cup with an easy 3-0 win over Knockbreda while there were easy wins for Glenavon, Dungannon Swifts and Warrenpoint Town.
Glentoran, though, needed extra-time to squeeze past Loughgall, with John McGuigan netting the only goal midway through the first of the two added periods.
