Five of the top footballers in Antrim have been recalled to the county squad by new manager Liam Bradley.

The Glenullin man's "second coming" as manager has started on a positive note with the return of the Cargin trio Tomas McCann, Tony Scullion and Michael McCann, along with St. Gall's forward CJ McGourty and Portglenone's Niall McKeever, who has returned from a four-year stint in Aussie Rules.

Outgoing manager Frank Dawson dropped Tomas McCann and Scullion on the eve of this year's Allianz League encounter with Monaghan in Clones over travel arrangements, while Michael McCann withdrew his services owing to work commitments. McGourty, meanwhile, wasn't considered by last season's management.

On the minus side, experienced duo Aodhan Gallagher and Sean Kelly have turned down invitations to rejoin the panel, with Gallagher set the spend the next year in Cardiff.

"I have Tomas McCann back, I've Michael McCann back, I've CJ McGourty back and Tony Scullion," Bradley told the Irish News.

"Those are the type of players who I feel should be stepping up to the mark, putting their shoulder to the wheel and pulling Antrim out of Division 4 next year.

"I made 39 phone calls and I got a response from 34 players. That can't be bad. There are only about three of that 34 that are U21, so it shows those guys are still interested in playing for the county. I got five negative responses and unfortunately they are players I'd love to have had.

"Aodhan Gallagher is going to Cardiff and is taking a year out. Sean (Kelly) didn't want to come back next season.

"The only reason he went back and played championship last season was because his father is great with Frank Dawson and I'd rather he tells me now than later. I appreciate that. But 'Aidso' and Sean Kelly are two players I'd love to have had." Tweet

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