HIGHLY-RESPECTED strength and conditioning Mike McGurn will not be returning to work with the Antrim senior footballers next season.
Confusion reigned over McGurn’s position with Antrim after it was reported in Thursday’s Irish News the Fermanagh native would be continuing with the Saffrons for a second season. In an interview, senior manager Frank Fitzsimons, who was given a further two years in charge at Monday night's county board meeting, expected McGurn would be back next season, but that the backroom team for next season would not be finalised for “three or four weeks”.
However, McGurn contacted The Irish News on Thursday to clarify his position, insisting he would not be working with Antrim in 2016. McGurn was a key member of Fitzsimons’ backroom team last season. Antrim lost to Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship, but sprung a major surprise in the All-Ireland Qualifiers by beating Laois before exiting to Fermanagh.
McGurn is heavily involved in various projects with Mick Clegg, a former fitness coach at Manchester United. Clegg was a vital member of Alex Ferguson’s backroom team at Old Trafford and worked closely with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
Both Clegg and McGurn will be speaking at a sports seminar on September 23, entitled ‘Reducing injury, increasing performance’ at the Conference and Training Centre on Belfast's Stranmillis Road. For further details, go to www.3fivetwotraining.com.
