GAELIC GAMES SHORTS

KILDARE wing-back Johnny Byrne has withdrawn from the county panel. The Allenwood clubman — a pivotal figure in Kildare’s shock All-Ireland SFC qualifier win over Mayo this summer — has cited ‘new challenges’ for his decision to opt out next season, but left the door open for a return in the future. ‘The time of year to knuckle down and go again has come, but the decision I had to make was the toughest yet,’ said Byrne on Twitter yesterday. ‘With new challenges I’ll face in the coming months and goals to fulfil that will require 100 per cent from me, I’ve decided it’s best to step away from the Kildare senior football team. ‘So for now it’s a farewell, but I’ll never rule out playing in the Lilywhite jersey again,’ he tweeted. ÷DONEGAL manager Declan Bonner confirmed yesterday that Michael Carroll, Eoin McHugh and Jason McGee have all rejoined his panel for next season. Carroll and McHugh – the latter a cousin of All-Star Ryan – both opted out this year, playing in Boston for the summer. Midfielder McGee, who struggled with injuries, also opted out off the senior panel to focus on the county Under 20s. All three have lined out in the Championship for Donegal in the past.