McKaigue not giving up on AFL career

Derry defender Chrissy McKaigue has revealed he may return to Australia and resume his AFL career next season.

The 22-year-old was delisted by the Sydney Swans at the end of last year and although he had offers from other clubs, he decided to come home to play for his club Slaughtneil and for Derry.

He will play his first championship match in three years on Saturday night against Ulster champions Donegal, but has hinted his days in an Oak Leaf jersey may be numbered.

“I came back because I wasn’t really content with another year on the rookie list in Sydney,’’ admitted McKaigue.

“They are one of the top four clubs in Australia consistently and it’s hard to break into a team like that. If I’d gone to a weaker club, I probably would have played week in week out, but those are the choices you make in life.

“The decision to come home was based purely on the offers that I had.

“They were rookie offers again and I wasn’t content with that.

But in the draft next year, you never know what opportunities might crop up.

“There’s new clubs over there that are only in the market one or two years so we’ll see.’’

While he’s happy to be home, McKaigue clearly feels he has unfinished business Down Under.

He explained: ‘’I thought a year at home doing full-time studying and finding my feet again was probably the best thing for me’’.

I am happy with the decision I made.

Australia didn’t work out, that’s the way it goes. You have to learn to live with that and deal with that.

“I have no regrets. It was worthwhile.

“You can never rule out going out to a weaker club again but for the time being I’m happy to be here.’’ He has switched from studying law to physiotherapy and is now focused on an extended run with Derry for the first time in his career.

He had short summers with Derry in 2008 and 2009 before the move to the AFL. His last championship game was against Saturday’s opponents Donegal, who beat Derry in the qualifiers by a point after extra-time.

“I am happy to be home and playing again for Derry and my club, playing with friends and family,’ he said.