New Antrim hurling boss PJ O'Mullan Jnr may have to plan without three key players for most, if not all, of 2016.

There is speculation that captain Neil McManus is taking a year out to travel, while his Cushendall team-mate Shane McNaughton fears his body might not be up to the rigours of inter-county hurling after he aggravated an old hip injury during the recent Ulster club SHC final against Slaughtneil.

Paul Shiels will undergo surgery on a similar injury in January, which is set to sideline him for up to six months.

The Dunloy attacker told the Irish News: "I felt it at the tail-end of the county season and I was troubled by it through the club season.

"You could be looking between anything from four to six months, so I'd be hoping to get back for the tail end of the season. I'll definitely miss the National League. 

"I've managed to get through the season. That's all I can say - that I managed to get through it. But it was a nightmare. I got so fed up - one way or the other it's going to get sorted now."

O'Mullan will be targeting promotion from Division 2A of the Allianz League and the Christy Ring Cup after the Saffrons were relegated to both this year.

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