[2] In 2006, he moved to Glentoran, having previously played for Portadown, Raufoss IL, Rochdale and Blackburn Rovers.

He gained five international caps between 2003 and 2004, having previously represented Northern Ireland at every other level.

He scored for Glentoran in the Europa League in July 2010,[3] before moving to Glenavon on a season-long loan where he made an immediate impact, scoring nine goals in ten competitive starts winning Carling Player of the Month for December 2010.

[6] However, his first win in charge came in the very next game, as the Lurgan Blues defeated Crusaders 3–2 at Mourneview Park on 20 December 2011.

[7] In 2014, Hamilton guided Glenavon to victory in the 2013–14 Irish Cup, the clubs first winning campaign in the tournament since 1997.