ANTRIM stalwart Sean McVeigh is targeting a return to action in the middle of next year’s National Football League as he battles back from injury.
The veteran midfielder tore his groin “off the bone” while playing for All Saints', Ballymena in their Antrim championship defeat to St John’s at the start of September.
However, primary school teacher McVeigh is determined to force his way back into the plans of county management duo Frank Fitzsimons and Gearóid Adams as early as possible.
“I’m probably out until the end of March - it’ll be quite a while anyway,” he said.
“It was one of the sorest things that has happened to me. I couldn’t move, couldn’t get out of the car. My wife had to drive me to school every day.
“I’m not able to train now until January or February. I’m going to the gym the odd time to lift upper body weights but that’s just to keep my head right.
“It’s definitely a blow because I’m getting on in age. Ideally I was looking to give it a good year because this is the time of year where I try to get myself into good shape and I’m not going to be able to do that.
“I’m part of the squad this year so I’ll be there at training, doing my rehab until I’m fit to play. I’m just going to have to be patient with it.”
McVeigh was one of the key men as Antrim successfully negotiated the choppy waters of Division Four last year and wants to play some part in their Division Three campaign.
Beyond that, the Saffrons have an Ulster Championship date with Donegal to look forward to - and supporters will hope they can repeat their heroics of 2009 when a famous win over Tír Chonaill in Ballybofey sparked a run to the Ulster final under Liam Bradley.
With new challenges ahead McVeigh insists that, despite this injury setback, he never considered walking away from the county scene.
“I still think I can make an impact on the team,” said the 32-year-old.
“I’m aiming for halfway through the National League. My recovery is going to be faster being with the Antrim team, I’m going to be more motivated because I’m going to want to get on that team.
“If there’s a place there for me, whether that’s at midfield, full-back, coming on, starting games and coming off or playing the whole season, I suppose that’s up to the management.
“If I doubted myself, I wouldn’t be there. It’s a great privilege to play for your county and it always has been and I’ve been very fortunate to do it for quite a long time.
"I don’t feel I’m ready to give that up yet - it’s a massive part of my life, playing football.”
