Lowry brothers reunited at Limavady 19 years on

Brothers Stephen [left] and Philip [right] Lowry will be reunited at Championship side Limavady United this season

"I think it was in both our minds it would be nice to sign off together and the stars have aligned".

Philip Lowry is delighted to be reunited his older brother Stephen at Limavady United after joining the Roesiders from Crusaders earlier this summer.

The brothers have both enjoyed distinguished careers in the Irish League with various sides.

Philip won four league titles, six Irish Cups and three County Antrim Shields during spells with Linfield and Crusaders

Stephen lifted a Gibson Cup and an Irish Cup in a separate spell with the Blues and picked up a League Cup with Coleraine.

Both are now back at the club where it all started for them, 19 years on from the last time they lined up as team-mates in a competitive game.

'It's fate at this stage to come back and play together'

The Lowry brothers have played against each other on numerous occasions and with various clubs through the years

A 1-1 draw in a league game against Cliftonville in December 2006 was the last time the two were on the same side.

Whilst they have since faced each other on numerous occasions at different clubs, Philip says it is nice to be reunited as they enter the latter stages of their career, especially after a number of false dawns.

The brothers admitted they were almost together again at Linfield and Coleraine at various stages, but that those transfers did not materialise.

"As the years progressed, we didn't think it would pan out like this," Philip told BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound programme.

"It is kind of crazy that we haven't [reunited], we have come close a number of times. Naturally the rumour mill thought I would join Stephen at Coleraine for a year or two and then with the takeover there that stifled those plans, we are 10 years too late in that boat!" he joked.

Stephen said his failed transfer to Linfield when his brother was there was "probably the closest" they have been to being on the same side, but the 38-year-old believes their long-awaited reunion is better late than never.

"It's unfortunate we never got to play together in our prime, that would have been nice too, with circumstances that didn't work out, but it's fate at this stage to come back and play together," he added.

'It's a nice project to go to'

Stephen was part of the Limavady side that finished fourth in the Championship and knocked Larne out of the Irish Cup last season

Upon Stephen's return to Limavady last summer for a third stint at the club he was quickly named captain and spearheaded what proved to ultimately be an unsuccessful promotion push to get back in the Irish Premiership.

With 35-year-old Philip now set to join him in midfield, the brothers are keen to help their hometown club push to get back into the top flight for the first time since 2008.

"I'm lucky to still be playing and Philip is a few years younger than me and he's going strong, so we've been fortunate to be injury free and hopefully we can both do that this season and get as much time on the pitch as possible," Stephen added.

"Limavady are growing again, there's a bit of excitement, they've put themselves in a position to challenge to go up to the Premiership, so I've really enjoyed it."

Philip concurred, highlighting the club's ambition under Paul Owens as a key reason he returned.

"They have a great young manager and have assembled a decent squad, so it's a nice project to go to, it's not like I'm going somewhere with nothing to play for, it's exciting for sure.

"The extra nice tough is we play close by, so we'll be in close proximity, but we probably need a third body in midfield that is 10-15 years younger to do our running!"