Cathal McShane has revealed how a job opportunity played a key role in his decision to stay in Tyrone.
The 2019 Championship top scorer resumed training with Mickey Harte’s panel this evening after a 10-day trial with the Adelaide Crows and is in the shake-up for inclusion in the squad as Kerry visit Omagh on Sunday.
“This career opportunity given to me by Keystone [Lintels] was a big deciding factor in me staying,” he told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.
“It was something that I really enjoyed. I felt that I did really well when I was out there. The game was a new experience for me.
“The boys out there were really welcoming and the club made me feel very welcome but, again, once I came back to Ireland I knew that I had to weigh up my options and I had to see what was the best for me going forward in my future.”
When asked how close he came to actually joining the AFL outfit, McShane replied: “It was very close in terms of obviously there's deadlines for decisions and it did come down to the wire in terms of the last day where I had to make my decision.
“But I knew what I wanted to do, making sure I made the right decision, and I feel that I have. I feel that I've good opportunities now on the field and off the field going forward.”
A naturally pleased Tyrone boss Mickey Harte was always hopeful that McShane would resist the temptation of Australia.
Harte said: “As long as he hadn't signed anything to say for sure he was going, I'm kind of the optimistic sort of person and I believed everything was possible that he would still stay.
“Really good news for Tyrone football and really good news for everyone connected with the GAA in Tyrone.”
Adelaide Crows General Manager List Management and Strategy Justin Reid commented: “It is a big decision to relocate to the other side of the world and pursue a professional career in a different sport.
“Ultimately, this was not something that Cathal was ready for and we wish him the very best in his endeavours both on and off the field.”
