By Tommy Nethery

EGLISH boss Paul Coney was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked what part, if any, Conor McKenna might play in his team’s Intermediate championship tilt which begins against Kildress on Saturday.

McKenna is currently back home enjoying some “down time” after a tough season playing for Essendon in the AFL but was watching from the sidelines as Eglish wrapped up the ACL Division title at Strabane on Saturday.

There has been widespread speculation McKenna may tog out for his hometown club in the championship but, like a seasoned politician, Coney was giving little away.

He said McKenna was currently nursing a slight groin strain and insisted the AFL star would play no part in Saturday’s first round clash.However Ardboe man Coney refused to rule out the possibility of McKenna making an appearance should his team progress to the latter stages of the competition.

“I have only spoken to Conor briefly. He has been up around training a few times, I don’t think he’s in any position right now to make himself available,” said the Eglish supremo.

“He’s coming off the back of a tough season and this is now his down time.

“We don’t want to be pressurising him but on the other hand if he makes himself available we’ll not turn him away. He’s not on my radar for Saturday.”