Antrim captain McAleese calls it a day

Antrim football skipper Dermot McAleese has brought the curtain down on his 12-year inter-county career.

The Portglenone clubman’s retirement comes in the wake of a disappointing season which ended with an 11-point Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final defeat to Wexford on the weekend before last. In 2021, he helped the Saffrons to promotion to Division 3 of the Allianz League, but they were relegated back to Division 4 this spring.

In a statement, Antrim GAA said: “Antrim Senior Football captain Dermot McAleese has informed Andy McEntee and the panel that this season was his last playing inter-county for the Antrim Footballers.

“Dermot made his debut for the Saffrons in 2013, after winning the Antrim U21 Club Championship with his club Roger Casements Portglenone that same year.

“He went on to become an exceptional player and leader over the past 12 years. More than a decade of incredible service. It was very fitting that he first captained his County at Kelly Park, Portglenone during our McKenna Cup tie with Cavan in January 2023.”

Antrim manager Andy McEntee added: “Whether it was a training session, a challenge game or full-blooded championship match, you knew exactly what you were going to get from Dermot. Absolutely nothing less than 100 per cent. The very best of wishes Dermot."