MICHAEL McShane has said that the split season in the GAA is one of the reasons why he feels he can take on a county job.

McShane has managed the Sleacht Néill hurlers since 2015, and has helped them win three Ulster Club Hurling titles. Last week, it was revealed that he would take over the Tyrone hurlers.

McShane said that he will continue to manage the Sleacht Néill hurlers.

“From a Sleacht Neill point of view we wanted to make sure that we could set the lads up with training, the Intercounty lads and the rest of the team. When I thought about it, and the time that it would take I realised that it was something that you could do if you are up for the challenge.”

McShane explained how he sees the season panning out.

“The club season won’t throw in in earnest till July. The intercounty season with Tyrone, even if you were successful you will be going to the end of May. In Sleacht Néill 17 of my panel are involved with the county squads, five with the football and 12 with the hurling, so I have 17 lads who will almost definitely be the first on my team sheets. So I won’t see them till May. So this gives me the chance to do something. If nothing else it is a challenge.”

McShane is putting his management team together at the moment. He can’t get the team together as a group because of the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

He says that they will adhere to the restrictioAns for as long as they are in place.

“I’d love to get them together and have a good chat about their expectations, and what we are going to do but that is not going to happen.

“We have to think of what’s going on outside of hurling. We have to think of the players. Myself, I have an 83-year-old mother who I have to protect and look after. I can’t put her at risk by going to training with 35 people. There will be players in the group who are in a similar position.”