Magee can follow Bonis at Inver Park - Smith

Benji Magee signed for Larne on Tuesday

Loughgall manager Dean Smith says he is like a "proud dad" after Benji Magee sealed a move to Irish Premiership champions Larne this week.

The 22-year-old striker scored 16 goals in the Villagers' return to the top flight last year, helping Smith's side to a 9th place finish.

Magee was one of the most sought after players in the Irish Premiership's transfer market this summer and with just over a week to go in the window moves to Inver Park to replace Lee Bonis who joined Ado Den Haag this month.

"For us, as the window went on we maybe thought we'd a chance of keeping him," admitted Smith.

"I'm delighted for him. I keep saying I'm like a proud dad.

"We've had him here for three seasons, he's matured. He's come in a real good prospect and left a really good player.

"For me, Larne have got a real exciting talent who can bounce on again from Larne in the way that Lee Bonis has done."

Magee's old side started life without their star forward with a 2-2 draw against Portadown on Tuesday night, twice coming from a goal down to take a share of the spoils.

While Smith felt that Josh Ukek was offside for Portadown's second, and that his own side created enough opportunities to win the game, he views the point as a sign of progression.

"For me, I thought we created the better chances from open play and maybe more chances than Portadown," he added.

"We're a wee bit disappointed not to get the winner but I said to the boys, 12 months ago we'd have lost this game. We'd have tried to win it and ended up conceding.

"Hopefully our game intelligence is growing and the players are growing."