Belfast Storm disband 17 days after completing roster
Five months after Belfast Storm qualified for the UKIC Season 4 Division 1 finals, the Northern Irish organisation announced they will be parting ways with their team.
This announcement comes 17 days after they completed their roster with two new signings, including the surprise signing of Seth “Xetherato” Jackson. Despite having high ambitions, internal issues have now resulted in the lineup taking a step back from competition and leaving the organisation.
Belfast Storm Sign Xetherato – No, This Isn’t an April Fools’ Joke
The team originally formed after Connor “Finui” Finucane left Raptors Esports Club, teaming up with Luke “Nem” Mear and Joe “Dexie” Demmon under the orgless tag Halal5. They made play-offs of UKIC Division 1 in their debut season and were acquired by Belfast Storm ahead of season 3.
Season 4 of UKIC Division 1 was their peak as they made the Grand Finals, narrowly losing to Verdant in triple overtime.
Unable to live up to their previous results, an underwhelming top 6 placement in the recent UKIC League season and at EPIC.LAN 44 resulted in changes. This saw Xetherato and Shane “Shane” McGlinchey replace the retiring Nem and Tristan “Stop_it” Ellis.
This didn’t last very long. After playing one ESEA Main game and making the Grand Finals of the TLR Pre-Season Invitational, Beflast Storm have opted to go their separate ways. Due to issues within the team, the core ultimately decided to take a more relaxed stance and mix for the foreseeable future.
Finui, Dexie and Xetherato have now teamed up with former player Nem and ex-CeX player Harry “Nukeddog” Jenkins for the current season of ESEA Main and UKIC Division 1 under the name “28AvgAge”. Shane and Lucian “devi” Manolache are actively looking for new teams as they both have taken to X posting their LFT tweets.
Even if Nem did post his retirement 30 days ago, he returns to his previous teammates, just in a more relaxed capacity.
devi and Dexie will not longer represent Belfast Storm
Belfast Storm owner Stuart McAllister said:
I’m absolutely gutted we couldn’t make something work with this team. Situations changed which couldn’t be prevented and we thought it would be best at this stage to part ways. We’ve had a great 10 months with the core of this roster and have made some fantastic memories and friendships that will last throughout our gaming careers.
McAllister added that long-term stability is the organisation’s priority, so they will not rush their next move.
Belfast Storm were:
Connor “Finui” Finucane
Joe “Dexie” Demmon
Lucian “devi” Manolache
Shane “Shane” McGlinchey
Seth “Xetherato” Jackson
Freddie “GrimyRannarr” Pritchard (coach)
After 10 months with the core of this roster, we’ve mutually parted ways with our Counterstrike team.
We’ve created memories and friendships that will continue throughout our gaming journeys!
It brought the passion and energy back into Belfast Storm and we’re proud of what we… pic.twitter.com/pvY8cY4XGp
— Belfast Storm (@Belfaststorm) April 18, 2025
Disclaimer: Freddie Pritchard, coach of Belfast Storm, is also Editor-in-Chief of UKCSGO.com. We are relieved that this is the last time we have to write this disclaimer.
The post Belfast Storm disband 17 days after completing roster appeared first on UKCSGO.
