Hurling & Camogie

Antrim ace Neil McManus considering taking a year out

Neil McManus has been one of the leaders of the county side in recent years
Neil McManus has been one of the leaders of the county side in recent years Neil McManus has been one of the leaders of the county side in recent years

ANTRIM hurling ace Neil McManus has cast doubt over his inter-county career next season as he debates whether to take a year out to travel.

The 27-year-old revealed his desire to live in America for a spell and is currently considering taking a career break from his job.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s County Championship final against Ballycastle, the Ruairi Og Cushendall clubman admitted he was still undecided.

“I might be doing a bit of travelling next year,” said McManus. “But if I’m here, I’ll be hurling. I’ve nothing planned yet. I’ve always wanted to travel a bit but I’ve put it off and put it off. I’m 27 now and it’s now or never.

“I’d love to go to the east coast of America and over to San Francisco. It depends on my work and my girlfriend’s work if we go or not.”

The Antrim captain stressed that he still “absolutely loves” hurling and maintained his sole focus was trying to win his fifth County Championship medal for his club this weekend in Dunloy.

“I’d play hurling every day of the week,” he said.

“This year will be my 12th season playing Championship hurling for Cushendall and I know there aren’t another 12 to come. That’s the only downside.”

Should McManus decide to fulfil his dream of travelling for a year, the new Antrim senior hurling manager will have a job replacing him.

Since his minor days under Terence McNaughton and Dominic McKinley, McManus was earmarked to be one of the county’s leading hurlers.

Despite a series of major disappointments wearing the saffron jersey, McManus has remained loyal to the cause.

Last season, he admitted, was one of the lowest points playing for the county but was still optimistic about the future.

“The two relegations in the League and Championship were devastating. Things have been bad before. We were in the Christy Ring before and we regrouped and came out of it, so there is no reason why that same kind of outcome can’t materialise this time.”

McManus hit 11 (all frees) of Cushendall’s 15 points in their one-point win over fierce rivals Loughgiel last weekend and believes Sunday’s decider with McQuillan’s is “50-50”.

“Sunday is the only thing that matters,” McManus added. “There will be serious hunger in the Ballycastle side and there will be serious hunger in our side too. Both teams will be dying to get their hands on the Volunteer Cup on Sunday. I think it will be a great final.”

Cushendall, who are managed by John McKillop and Leonard McKeegan, are the defending champions and the younger members of their side will lean on the experience of last year.

“We have a young team but we’ve experience there too. Myself, Shane McNaughton, Paddy McGill, Aaron Graffin, Sean Delargy and Karl McKeegan are all seasoned campaigners. So we’re not short of experience. We have a really good mixture and last year will have done us no harm because it’s important how you deal with the occasion. We have experience of that last year.”