By Orla Bannon

Antrim hurler Liam Watson has revealed his loyalty to his club Loughgiel was the only reason he turned down an approach to play for Dublin in 2013.

The 33-year-old, who starred in Loughgiel's All-Ireland club triumph in 2012, was consistently overlooked by former Antrim manager Kevin Ryan since then and admits he was tempted by Dublin's advances.

“If I wasn't going to get the chance (with Antrim) at that time, I was going to take a different route to play inter-county hurling,” he claimed at Thursday's Allianz Hurling League launch in Belfast.

“But once I had to change clubs, it was a no-goer.”

Watson was reluctant to divulge whether it was former Dublin manager Anthony Daly who got in touch to gauge his interest in moving south, but confirmed the offer was made in 2013.

“I'm not going to mention any names to keep myself right, but it was Dublin county.

“There was something about it alright but it never really materialised because I was going to have to switch clubs, so that was never going to happen.

“Thank God to be honest, because I'm back playing for Antrim, where I belong.”

Watson feared his Antrim hurling career was over when frozen out and cast into the inter-county wilderness by Waterford native, Ryan.

But he believes he has nothing to prove to anyone, and his long absence from the squad has made him appreciate this second coming.

“If he (Ryan) couldn't see I was one of the best players in Antrim, that's up to him.

“He lost his job for having his gripes but I have no gripes at all. I'm back playing for Antrim and I'm as happy as Larry.

“It's exciting times again for me and it's like starting afresh with a clean slate.

“There were times when I thought it would never happen so I'm glad now where I'm at.

“I'm looking forward to pulling on the yellow jersey again this Sunday.”

His return is certainly timely, with Antrim at a low ebb following last year's disastrous results.

Relegation last year has left the county out of the All-Ireland series and they begin Division II of the Allianz Hurling League against Derry on Sunday.

“There's no beating about the bush – we need out of this division.

“We have no one to blame but ourselves. Antrim got themselves into it, and Antrim has to get themselves out of it.

“Once we get the Cushendall boys back, that will only make Antrim stronger.

“But we can't start thinking we're better than anybody else or could be left with egg on our face. We are down there for a reason and we have to work our way back up.”

---

***Pictured at the Belfast launch of the 2016 Allianz Hurling League is Antrim’s Liam Watson. Antrim face Derry in the first round of Division 2 in Owenbeg, Co. Derry, this Sunday February 14th. Belfast, Co. Antrim.  ***