Liam Watson: I turned down Dublin approach in 2013

Antrim hurler Liam Watson revealed he rejected approaches to join Dublin in 2013. The 33-year-old is back with the Saffrons after being dropped from the panel for four years by previous manager Kevin Ryan, but admitted that during his spell in the wilderness, he was courted by the Dublin hurlers.

Watson, who starred in Loughgiel Shamrocks’ All-Ireland Club success in 2012, revealed he rejected the move because he didn’t want to have to transfer clubs.

“There was something about it alright but it never materialised,” he said at yesterday’s Allianz Hurling League launch in Belfast.

“I was going to have to switch clubs, so that was never going to happen.”

Watson refused to confirm whether it was then Dublin manager Anthony Daly who got in touch to gauge his interest in a switch to the capital.

“I’m not going to mention any names to keep myself right, but it was Dublin county. If I wasn’t going to get the chance at that time, I was going to take a different route to play inter-county hurling, but once I had to change clubs, it was a no-goer. Thank God to be honest, because I’m back playing for Antrim, where I belong.”

Watson showed his class in 2012, scoring 0-16 in the All-Ireland semi-final against Na Piarsaigh as well as a hat-trick against Coolderry in the final.

In the intervening years, and the longer his Antrim exile went on, the more he feared he would never play inter-county hurling again.

He claims contrary to reports, he always wanted to play for the Saffrons but was never given the opportunity under Ryan.

“He asked me once while we were preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final (in 2012) so I was committed to my club, the way any other player in Ireland would be. He made it blunt I either committed there or then or I was off the panel. I got bad press that I didn’t want to be among the Cushendall players, which was all nonsense. I had an All-Ireland to win with my club.

“I always wanted to make myself available but he (Ryan) never phoned me in four years, never spoke to me, never looked at me. I saw him once at a Loughgiel championship match but he never even spoke to me. 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.”

The departure of the Waterford native was the catalyst for Watson’s return, with his All-Ireland winning club boss PJ O’Mullan now in charge.

He insisted: “I know PJ well but that had no bearings on me coming back to play for Antrim - I always wanted to play”.

“There were times when I thought it would never happen so I’m glad now where I’m at. It’s exciting times again for me and although I’m 33, I’m like a spring lamb, though sometimes my legs don’t feel like it!

“I’m looking forward to pulling on the yellow jersey again this Sunday. It’s a fresh start and a clean start.”

Relegation last year has left Antrim out of the All-Ireland series and they begin Division 2 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.”