Former Northern Ireland midfielder Michael O’Connor has been named as the new manager of Irish Premiership side Glenavon.

The 38-year-old succeeds Paddy McLaughlin in the position, the former Institute and Cliftonville boss having parted ways with the Mid Ulster club at the end of last month.

After plying his trade in England, O’Connor made 70 appearances for Glenavon as a player between 2020 and 2023 and went on to become assistant manager at Newry City for a spell, before occupying the same role as part of Dean Shiels’ backroom staff at Coleraine.

Glenavon’s 3-0 home defeat by Bangor on Saturday made it 11 defeats from 11 matches for the club so far this season and they are languishing 10 points behind Crusaders at the foot of the table, having played two games more than the north Belfast club.

A short statement released by the club on Saturday evening said: “Glenavon FC can announce the appointment of their new manager, Michael O’Connor. He will be joined by Mark Ferguson and Andrew Doyle.”

Lurgan Blues players David McDaid and Niall Quinn had formed part of Glenavon’s interim management team, along with coaches Tim Lennon and Ryan Prentice, since McLaughlin’s departure a fortnight ago.