As the 2024/25 season comes to an end, let’s have a look back at how our Inver Reds did out on
loan. Over the course of the season a total of 9 players went out on loan, with Baris Altintop and Ethan Simpson making their loan moves to Portadown and Ards permanent in the January transfer window.
Jack Hastings
Jack had two loan spells over the course of the 24/25 season. The first one being on loan at PlayerFit Championship side Annagh United. Jack made a total of twenty three appearances for the Mid Ulster side in all competitions, picking up valuable minutes and playing experience. Jack scored one goal during his loan spell, in a 2-0 victory over Queens University in the BetMcLean League Cup, which saw Annagh through to the Quarter-Finals against the Inver Reds. Jack’s loan at the Championship side ended on 1st January 2025.
Later in January, Jack would make the short move to Taylor’s Avenue, signing on loan for Carrick Rangers until the end of the 24/25 campaign. Jack would go on to make 14 appearances in all competitions for Stephen Baxter’s side, including 7 starts, gaining even more valuable minutes and playing experience at Premiership level. Carrick would go onto finish 11th in the Sports Direct Premiership, ironically having to play Annagh United in the Promotion/Relegation Play-off. Carrick retained their Premiership status with an 8-3 aggregate win over Annagh, with Jack being named on the bench for both legs of the tie.
Benji Magee
After signing for the Inver Reds from Loughgall in August 2024, Benji would go back on loan to the County Armagh club on 24th January 2025. Benji’s first reappearance for the Villagers would be in a goalless draw at Taylors Avenue against Carrick Rangers. Benji would go onto make nine appearances in the Sports Direct Premiership, making four goal contributions, including an equaliser away to Crusaders and scoring in a victory against Ballymena United. Loughgall were relegated to the PlayerFit Championship at the end of the season, with Benji returning to the Inver Reds and playing a key role in the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament in May 2025.
Caolan Donnelly
Like Jack Hastings, Caolan would have two loan spells in the duration of the 24/25 campaign, both in the PlayerFit Championship. His first loan spell would be to Ballyclare Comrades, joining the club in August. Caolan would go on to make eighteen league appearances and one BetMcLean League Cup appearance for the East Antrim side, making four goal contributions including two assists in a 2-1 victory over Armagh City. Caolan would be recalled in January 2025 and sent out on loan to Ballinamallard United for the rest of the 24/25 season.
Caolan’s loan spell at the Mallards was impacted with injury, limiting him to four appearances in all competitions. His last game was an away defeat to Newington, in which Caolan was sent off, leaving him suspended for the last two games of the PlayerFit Championship season.
Dylan Graham
Goalkeeper Dylan Graham made the loan move to Ballyclare Comrades in January 2025 in order to provide him with valuable match minutes. Dylan made two appearances for the Comrades, in a victory against Newry City and a draw against Institute. However, Dylan’s time at the Championship side would be cut short, as he was recalled on 31st January due to fellow goalkeeper, Joe Besant, sustaining an injury which ruled him out for the rest of the 24/25 season.
Oisin Devlin
Midfielder Oisin Devlin joined fellow Premiership side Ballymena on a short-term loan deal in August until January 2025. After serving a suspension gained in last season’s Promotion/Relegation final defeat to Ballymena, Oisin made his first appearance for the Sky Blues in a 1-0 victory over Glentoran, coming off the bench for a short cameo appearance. Oisin would go on to make sixteen appearances for Ballymena, playing a part in the County Antrim Shield run which saw them reach the semi-final stage, losing to Glentoran at the Oval. Oisin returned to the Inver Reds and would play a small role in helping achieve a 2nd place finish and securing European football.
Sean Brown
Sean Brown also made the loan move to the Ballymena Showgrounds, in a short-term loan lasting until January 2025. Sean made his first start and appearance in a 1-0 home defeat to Crusaders. Sean would play a key role for the Sky Blues, making twenty one appearances in all competitions including the run to the County Antrim Shield semi-final. Sean would return to the Inver Reds in January, making two appearances off the bench for Larne including the vital 2-1 victory at the Coleraine Showgrounds in the split.
Josh Kee
Josh Kee would sign for the Inver Reds from H&W Welders on the 24th January 2025. Josh was sent back on loan to the Welders for the remainder of the Championship campaign. Josh played a key role in the Welders push for promotion, ending the season on thirty five appearances in all competitions, scoring evelen goals across the campaign, netting in the BetMcLean League Cup defeat to Larne and in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Glentoran in the County Antrim Shield.
The Welders would go on to miss out on the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off spot to Annagh United after a final day home defeat to Limavady United, a match in which Josh scored. Josh was awarded for his contributions, being named as the Young Player of the Year at the H&W Welders End of Season awards. Josh returned from his loan at the end of the season, making his first appearance in a Larne shirt during the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament, captaining theInver Reds during the tournament.
