Football

McCann hopeful of returning to Antrim fold

ANTRIM star Michael McCann has signalled his intentions to return to the inter-county fold for the 2014 campaign.

McCann, who left the Antrim panel earlier in the year, was unable to commit after setting up a new business but the Cargin man has opened the door for a return, providing manager Frank Dawson has him in his plans.

"I've said it before that I want to play for Antrim, and if I am still wanted I will certainly play," said

McCann (right).

"I left last year in March for different reasons, but business reasons were key in why I couldn't commit. And things have changed slightly since then. The new business is up and running and I am finding a bit more time, creating a bit more time should I say.

"So hopefully things work out between now and then. I want to play and if I get the call, and circumstances allow it, I'll definitely be ready to become an Antrim player again."

The Antrim man was speaking at the Gaelic Sports-Opt for Life Gaelic Gloves launch last night at City Hall. The aim of Opt for Life is to put in place a state of the art organ donation system north and south that can decrease the amount of needless deaths that occur in the country each year. Antrim forward Paddy Cunningham, who has recently set up Gaelic Sports, also said at the launch that he was desperate for the powerful midfielder to pull on the Saffron jersey again.

"I think Michael is far too good of a player not to be playing for Antrim. We don't have the luxury of 50 or 60 players who can play at that level so we need to get Michael back involved as soon as possible," he said.

Cunningham insists that despite the disappointing season that Antrim experienced this year, things are already beginning to look more positive.

"We've also heard that Niall McKeever is coming back from Australia so that will be a phenomenal boost for us. Getting Michael and Niall back would be huge for us and we want to focus on a more positive year next year," he said.