Shane McNaughton's Antrim career could be over due to the increased demands being placed on intercounty players.

The 27-year-old sharpshooter, who has missed two years due to a hip injury, will represent his club Cushendall in Sunday's Ulster club hurling final against Slaughtneil. But he says he may restrict himself to club hurling in the future:

"Personally, I don't think it's possible to do the two. It's turning into a college player's game. I don't have a wife or kids but anyone who has, it must be nearly impossible for them to play intercounty hurling," the Ruairi Og man told The Irish News.

"Down south, they get the rewards for it. But, realistically, if you're playing in the Christy Ring, you're not going to go out and leave your kids five nights a week Not for that.

"I've enjoyed doing different things rather than jut giving hurling my complete attention. That's one thing I've learned during my time out injured - trying to get a bit of balance back in my life.

"Playing club hurling, you can have that balance. Playing intercounty hurling, there's no balance. It's a professional game played by amateurs. There's just too much involved now. It's getting a bit crazy, it's evolving every year. It's something I'll decide down the line; I'm just concentrating on the club right now."

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