Former Ireland and Ulster rugby star Andy Ward has agreed to become the new strength and conditioning coach for the Antrim footballers.

The New Zealand-born flanker made his Irish debut against France in 1998 and went on to win 28 caps. He was a key member of the Ulster team that became the first Irish winners of the Heineken Cup in 1999 and played his club rugby with Ballinahinch until recently.

Ironically, Dublin's All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen is due to take up a similar full-time role with Leinster rugby in the next fortnight.