Conor McKenna is not ruling out the possibility of playing for Tyrone in this year’s Championship.
McKenna this week announced his retirement from Australian rules football after six years at Essendon, for whom he made 79 AFL appearances, as he finally succumbed to homesickness.
Playing for Tyrone is the 24-year-old’s ambition and something he has yet to do at senior level, having been snapped up by the Bombers when he was just 18.
There seems little doubt that he’ll be a significant addition to Mickey Harte’s team in the coming years and, though he’s still in Australia and the 2020 inter-county season resumes next month, he’ll be happy to come on board straight away if that’s what Harte wants.
"I've talked to Mickey a few times over the past few months and he's sent a message to say it's good news to hear, and he's looking forward to seeing me in a Tyrone jersey again," McKenna told BBC Sport.
"I think it'll be a longer transition than people think, it's not going to be as easy as walking back onto the pitch and kicking the ball over the bar.
"I need to go home and see what happens, have a talk with Mickey and see what he thinks. If he thinks it's the right option to come and get involved I'm more than happy to put my hand up and see how I go."
McKenna, who hasn’t ruled out the possibility of linking up with Essendon once again down the line, added: "I have to get a job for the first time which is going to be interesting.
"I think I'll go back to college or university on a part-time basis then probably get a part-time job at the start.
"From running round every day kicking a football to, I don't know, probably being back on a building site with my dad or at college, it's going to be a different lifestyle for sure."
