O'Hagan quits intercounty scene

Barry O'Hagan has been based in Donegal for the past two years

Armagh forward Barry O'Hagan has announced his retirement from the intercounty scene.

O'Hagan is now based in Donegal and said that the travelling had "got too much from a work and family point of view".

He made his debut for Armagh seniors in 1993 and the highlight of his career was last year's All-Ireland Final triumph.

"I just don't have the appetite for it any more," O'Hagan told the Irish News.

"There's no point in me being there and maybe holding somebody else back".

Killeavey forward Barry Duffy is another notable absence from the Armagh panel which has just been announced.

Newcomers to the panel include Aaron Kernan, son of the Armagh boss, and Oliver Gaughran who impressed for Dromintee in this year's county championship.

Meanwhile, Oisin McConville is holding out hope that he may be available for the National League.

Last week, McConville had an operation for a prolapsed disc at a hospital in England.

The Crossmaglen Rangers player had delayed the medical treatment until the competitive season was over.

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"I expect to be training in a couple of weeks. I'm already doing some pool work," said McConville.

Meanwhile, Antrim football boss PJ O'Hare is hoping to have a Cargin presence in his intercounty team in 2004.

Cargin players have refused to play for the county in recent years because of a dispute with the county board over suspensions handed out after the 2000 county football final.

O'Hare has asked Brian McCann, Nigel Doyle, Gerard O'Boyle and Pearse O'Boyle to join his squad although it remains to be seen whether they will agree to the request.

The five St Gall's players in the panel include Colin Brady who controversially missed last summer's Ulster semi-final against Tyrone because he was on holiday.

Notable absentees include St John's defender Ciaran Anderson and St Gall's Chris McCann.

Terry O'Neill has been left out because he requires a break but he is expected to return in the spring.

A number of the Saffron players are currently playing soccer but O'Hare has insisted that their alternative commitments should cease in January.

The players concerned include goalkeeper Sean McGreevy who has helped Donegal Celtic reach the Steel & Sons Cup Final which will be played against Killyleagh on Christmas Day.

Armagh SF panel: R Austin (Clan na Gael), F Bellew (Crossmaglen), R Clarke (Pearse Og), JP Donnelly (Armagh Harps), O Gaughran (Dromintee), P Hearty (Crossmaglen), K Hughes (Pearse Og), A Kernan (Crossmaglen), P Loughran (Clady), A McCann (St Mary's), O McConville (Crossmaglen), P McCormack (Keady), S McDonnell (Killeavey), K McElvanna (Madden), J McEntee (Crossmaglen). T McEntee (Crossmaglen), K McGeeney (Na Fianna), P McGrane (Ballyhegan), K McKeever (St Patrick's), P McKeever (Ballyhegan), K McKinney (Pearse Og), E McNulty (Ballyboden), J McNulty (Mullabawn), M Mackin (St Patrick's), A Mallon (Pearse Og), B Mallon (Tir na nOg), D Marsden (Clan na Gael), A O'Rourke (Dromintee), M O'Rourke (Dromintee), J Toal (Keady).

Antrim SF: S Kelly, C Brady, M McCrory, K McGourty, D O'Hare (all St Gall's); S McGreevy, A Finnegan, J Quinn, J O'Neill, N Ward (St Paul's); C Lynch, G Bryan, B Herron, K Murray (Lamh Dhearg); K Madden, T Convery, J McKeever, M McCarry, J Storey, B McCann (Portglenone); B McCann, N Doyle, G O'Boyle, P O'Boyle (Cargin); K Brady (Moneyglass); E McLernon, H McKay, R Mullan, D Martin (Creggan); P Close (Rossa); B McAleese, P Baird, P Doherty (Rasharkin); G Adams, J Murphy (St John's); SP Hagan, R O'Loan, E Hegarty (Glenravel); P McCann (Ballymena); M Magill (Tir na nOg).