McGrath linked with Antrim football job

GAELIC GAMES

PETE McGRATH could be in line to make a shock return to intercounty football management, with a review over the Antrim management ongoing.

It’s understood that while current managers Frank Fitzsimons and Gearóid Adams await the findings of a sub-committee, some in the Saffron county are keen for an approach to be made to the deposed Fermanagh manager.

McGrath’s appetite for the game may be diminished by the ugly affairs of the last week, when he stepped down after some Erne players made it known they would refuse to play for him in 2018, but there are some that are keen on the Down man taking a neighbouring county.

Fitzsimons, who has been in charge since 2015 and Adams, who linked up as joint-manager from 2016, have already indicated their willingness to continue as senior managers into 2018.

They only suffered relegation from Division 3 on the final league game through score difference, but had a disappointing championship, losing heavily to Donegal and Sligo.

Elsewhere, Clare have made three changes from the side that lost to Cork for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final clash with Tipperary in the revamped Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Two of the changes are forced by injury with Aron Shanagher (chest) and David McInerney (hamstring) failing late fitness tests and they are replaced by Cian Dillon and Aaron Cunningham. The other change sees Jamie Shanahan come in for Oisín O’Brien.

Tipp have also made three changes with Daragh Mooney back in goal, Seamus Kennedy replacing Joe O’Dwyer and Noel McGrath in for Jason Forde.