CJ McGourty has made a surprise return to the Antrim fold and is hoping to make up for lost time.
The mercurial St Gall’s attacker last played for the Saffrons in an All-Ireland Qualifier defeat to Fermanagh 18 months ago and spent most of 2016 in Australia.
The 28-year-old was invited to return to the Antrim camp after meeting with managers Frank Fitzsimons and Gearoid Adams last week, and the player was only too happy to accept.
Antrim endured a miserable Dr McKenna Cup campaign, losing all three group games to St Mary’s, Monaghan and Fermanagh.
And with only eight days to their NFL Division Three opener against last year’s All-Ireland semi-finalists Tipperary, Antrim sorely need experience at both ends of the field.
Rated as one of the most naturally gifted footballers to emerge in the county over the last 10 years, McGourty freely admits that he hasn’t fulfilled his potential at inter-county level.
“One of the reasons why I want to go back is because I think I’ve under-achieved at county level, for whatever reason,” said the 28-year-old, who has been playing soccer in the off-season with Amateur League outfit Comber Rec.
“I’ve been playing for Antrim seniors for 10 years now.
“I’d like to think I’ve matured, that I’ve grown up a bit. My best years might be ahead of me if I put the work in. Through different things I feel I’ve lost a year or two…
“I feel if I put in the effort that’s required at county level I can be a positive influence on the team because I’ve learned talent doesn’t get you anywhere these days. You have to do the work. I’m prepared to do it and that’s what I plan to do.”
McGourty made his Championship debut against Derry in 2007 but his inter-county career didn’t match his exploits at club level.
As a teenager, he was an All-Ireland runner-up with St Gall’s in 2006 but four years later he was a key player in guiding the west Belfast club to All-Ireland glory, under the steadying influence of boss and his uncle, Lenny Harbinson.
Spending nine months in Australia, McGourty believes, has had a maturing effect on him – and he wants to put his shoulder to the wheel and help Antrim consolidate their place in a very competitive Division Three.
Given the inexperienced look of Fitzsimons and Adams’s panel, avoiding relegation would be a big achievement.
Antrim’s NFL preparations haven’t been helped by the absence of Sean McVeigh, Mark Sweeney (both injured), Niall McKeever (UUJ) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (St Mary’s) – but it looks as though they will be relying on a new generation of players who are largely untested at county level.
However, new boys Seamus McGarry, Conor Small, Eunan Walsh and Ruairi Scott showed encouraging signs in the McKenna Cup.
After losing narrowly to St Mary’s, Antrim were hammered by 17 points by Monaghan and mustered just nine points.
The Fermanagh defeat was arguably worse as they lost by 14 points but didn’t register a score until the 45th minute.
McGourty attended Antrim’s two home games – against St Mary’s and Monaghan – and has urged patience among supporters.
“It was frustrating in a way but I knew there were a lot of young boys in the team. Matthew Fitzpatrick is a very good player who is with St Mary’s, so he’ll be back,” he said.
“Ricky Johnston will be back. But let’s be honest about it: we don’t have the same pick as Tyrone or indeed a lot of other counties in Ulster.
“But if we get our 15 or 17 best players available we’re capable of competing against most counties.”
