Grimes heading North to link up with McDonald at Cliftonville

LOCAL man Shane Grimes is back in football having signed a deal with NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville on Sunday.

The 30-year-old had been a free agent since being released by his hometown club Dundalk FC at the end of last season.

Grimes, who made 37 appearances and scored three goals during his second spell at Oriel Park between 2015 and 2017, was unable to commit to the new full-time set-up at Dundalk due to his job at Cargotec.

Reacting to his move on his Twitter page, Grimes said: ‘Absolutely delighted to join such a massive club for the rest of the season. Looking forward to meeting the lads and get going and doing my best for the club and teammates and everyone connected with Cliftonville FC.’

He is the second former Lilywhites player to join during the Solitude outfit this month, with Conor McDonald also signing for Barry Gray’s side following his recent return from America.

Grimes, who first played for Dundalk in 2005 under Jim Gannon and also had stints at Monaghan Utd and Drogheda Utd, could make his debut on Friday when fourth placed Cliftonville travel to Ferney Park to face bottom side Ballinamallard.

It was a good weekend for two other Dundalk players playing in the North. Both Simon Kelly and Marc Griffin were on target as Glenavon came from a goal down to beat Linfield 3-2 at Windsor Park.