JAMES McCARTAN has returned to the Down squad. The player, who was dropped from the Down panel for playing soccer with Glenavon in October, joined D J Kane and Greg Blaney at training in Ballykinlar on Wednesday.

Kane and Blaney were absent from Down's pre Christmas campaign due to domestic commitments and manager Peter McGrath has welcomed their return.

But, McCartan's return has sparked speculation that manager McGrath may be tempering his strict "no soccer" rule.

McGrath said that McCartan had given a commitment to train with the county team and, white he realised that McCartan also had soccer commitments, it was good to see him back in the fold.

Derry manager, Brian Mullins, has been boosted by the news that former All Star, Anthony McGurk, will be joining his management team shortly. McGurk was named as a selector when Mullins took over last autumn but was unable to give a commitment until after the Christmas break.

That commitment has now been given and McGurk brings vast experience to the position.

McGurk won two All Stars in the 1970s and is one of an elite band to win awards as a defender and attacker.