Fit-again Arron Graffin is hoping to be included in the Antrim team for Sunday's Leinster SHC opener against Westmeath.

The defender recently played his first game of the season for his club Cushendall after recovering from a finger tendon problem, which required two operations last year, and is now on course to play some part against the Lake County at Ballycastle.

"The last couple of weeks I have been getting back into it slowly. I haven't been going hell for leather," he explained to the Irish News.

"When you come back from an injury you just have to wean your way back into playing full-time. I have been taking part in training matches. But I have played very little hurling in terms of actual real game-time this year.

"I played a club game at the weekend and I came through it okay. That is pretty much the only whole game I've played."

He added: "I would love to be named as a starting player, but I will definitely be available for the panel if I am needed. If I am starting, happy days. If not, I will be there as a panel player. It's just good to be back playing again." Tweet

Most Read Stories