Striker Steo Donnelly returns to AUL champions Usher Celtic after requesting release from Glenavon

Glenavon have released striker Stephen Donnelly at his request so he can go back to AUL side Usher Celtic.

The 26-year-old leaves Mourneview Park to return to familiar territory in the Leinster Senior League, having previously had two spells at Usher.

The Former Bohemians man made ten appearances for the Armagh side last season, scoring twice.

Donnelly has won the golden boot in AUL Premier A for the past two seasons, and last year helped the Islandbridge side to the title in the top flight.

“Steo has decided he wants to go back and play at Usher Celtic,” Glenavon Manager Gary Hamilton told the club’s website.

“He contacted me on Saturday night and I asked him to sleep on it before he made a final decision but he spoke to me on Sunday and he’s intent on leaving.”

Hamilton explained he wouldn’t have wanted to force Donnelly to stay if the striker wasn’t happy with his playing time.

The Glenavon boss had said to Donnelly that this coming season he would be played more as he was wary of the amount of football he had played at Usher the season before.

“He’s travelling up and down from Dublin and he’s not been in the team at the minute so it’s been getting to him.”

“It’s been unfortunate for Stephen because still, right until yesterday, I said to him that next season was going to be the season for him.

“Last season he played sixty-odd games in the Leinster Senior League and never got a break right until the week before Europe.

“In this modern day your body needs a couple of months off but he’s been playing football for nearly a year and a half without a break.”