Doherty returns to Coleraine as Ballymena sign Glynn

Ben Doherty has returned to Coleraine from Derry City for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

Doherty scored 36 goals in 86 appearances during his first spell at the Showgrounds between January 2019 and the summer of 2021.

He then opted to join full-time outfit Larne before moving to hometown club Derry in January 2023 where he worked under current Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins.

"I was fortunate to manage Ben for a couple of years at Derry and I have to say he was fantastic for me," said Higgins.

"He brings that real running power and energy, a real drive and goals and assists.

"Ben's in a period of his career where he will have an incredible determination to be successful.

"He's 29-year-old, he's in his prime and he's arriving at a club who are ambitious and a team I feel that's on the rise."

Elsewhere, Ballymena United have completed the signing of defender Micheal Glynn following the expiration of his contract at Cliftonville.

The 24-year-old spent two years with the Reds, scoring four goals in 75 appearances and winning the BetMcLean Cup in 2025.

Glynn has also had spells Dungannon Swifts, Glenavon and Larne, where he won two Irish Premiership titles.

"I'm still very young in my career but I've played a lot of games in the league. I've picked up a few medals so far and the project here is one of trying to pick up more and pushing for Europe," he told the club's website.

"There's a great squad here with a lot of quality players that I've first hand experience of playing against."

Carrick Rangers have also confirmed forward Jack Hastings' return to the club on a free transfer after he left Larne at the end of his contract.

The 19-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Armagh City, previously spent the second half of the 2024/25 season at Taylors Avenue, making eight appearances for the club.