LUKE CARTWRIGHT SIGNS 1q2vl

Glenavon has signed central defender Luke Cartwright from Loughgall. Midfielder Harry Norton, part of Dollingstown’s squad last season, and striker Aaron Prendergast have ed the Villagers as part of the deal. Harry’s move is permanent; Aaron is a loanee. 6346f

Luke has been part of the Loughgall first team squad for the past six seasons. Indeed, apart from three years at the Portadown Academy in his early teens, he has spent his entire career at Lakeview Park.

He made his debut in April 2019 as a substitute against Limavady United and started his first match soon afterwards as a left back against Dergview. He quickly moved into the middle of defence. “It is hard for a young player to break through as a centre back because it is such an important position, but Dean Smith trusted me,” he reflected. “Those early months were a steep learning curve, but I got through them and never really looked back.”

Luke made 43 first team appearances in the Loughgall side which won the Championship in 2022-23. “We had a strong team,” he said. “We were tight at the back and scored goals. Winning matches regularly gave us a lot of confidence moving up into the Premiership.”

During the Villagers’ debut campaign in the top flight, he played over 30 times. “Again, Dean had confidence in me,” he said. “The gap between the two leagues is big. It is not easy to make the transition, but most of our players coped well. The fact that we did well early on helped.”

The 24 year old started all four of Loughgall’s 2023-24 league fixtures against Glenavon. He particularly recalls the 2-1 success at Mourneview Park in March 2024. “We had the benefit of a strong wind in the opening 45 minutes, scored two goals and defended well after half time to secure the win. It was one of our best results.”

During the first half of the 2024-25 campaign Luke was again a mainstay of Loughgall’s defence. However, in January he went to Sydney, Australia for three months. “I have a friend who was going there to play rugby, so I decided to go with him,” he explained. “Conor Kerr, who used to play at Mourneview, is with Rydalmere, a club near Sydney. He told me that the training was excellent, but different to what he had been used to. I wanted to see what it was like. Unfortunately, I was not able to play competitively but it was still a great experience.”

Luke only returned a few days ago. He looks bronzed and very fit. “I am in good shape,” he says. “Having said that I know that I have ed a club at which the expectations are high. I am under no illusions about that. I know that breaking into the first team and staying there will be a challenge, but I think that is what I need. I want to test myself and become a better player.”

Although the Portadown man completed a Law Degree at the University of Ulster in 2022, he is not a legal practitioner. Instead, he helps his older brother, Samuel, to run “SportCity,” a football coaching business which promotes the game amongst primary-age children. “We have been working together for two and a half years,” he said. “It can be tough. Running around after 4 and 5 year old kids takes it out of you but I love it.”

Paddy McLaughlin is delighted that Luke has agreed to Glenavon. “We have lost Harry Murphy so it was important that we strengthened at the back,” he said. “The fact that Luke is predominantly left sided is a bonus. Last season, when Niall Quinn was out, we struggled to replace him.”

McLaughlin reckons that the new addition has the potential to be a top player. “He is quick and is comfortable with the ball at his feet,” he continued. “He can also play in several positions and in different formations. In the modern game players need to be flexible. Although he is still young, he has leadership qualities. I expect him to make a big contribution next season and beyond.”