The new Antrim manager also insists that county champions Dunloy will be represented on the county team in 2026 as he recalls a host of former panellists
Mark Doran has vowed to do “everything” he can to get Dermot McAleese back playing for Antrim in 2026.
The former captain announced his shock retirement back in June after Antrim’s season came to a disappointing conclusion with an exit to Wexford in the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals and relegation to Division Four.
The 31-year-old was handed the captaincy last season with the previous incumbent Peter Healy sidelined after suffering a broken bone in his foot twice in two seasons.
Speaking at last weekend’s Antrim GAA All-Star Awards at the Devenish Complex in Belfast, Doran feels McAleese still has plenty to offer his county as he outlined his plans to get the best players in the county on his panel for next season.
“Obviously, Dermot McAleese retired last year and he’s going to be one of the boys – I’m going to have to try everything to get him back.
“At the end of the day, Dermot McAleese is too good of a footballer to be retired from inter-county football.
“That’s one of my goals at the minute is getting Dermot McAleese back in that squad. I’ve only had a few phone calls, but I will sit down and meet Dermot in the next week or so.”
Doran, who was appointed in August after Andy McEntee stepped down after three years in charge, revealed he has contacted 90 players since taking up the reins with 87 keen to feature for the Saffrons.
He’ll whittle down his squad in the coming weeks ahead of the return of the Dr McKenna Cup in January.
Ballymena midfielder Conor Stewart won’t be available due to travel commitments, but his clubmate Paddy McAleer is back in the fold.
Creggan duo Kevin and Conor Small are also set to resume their county careers while Cargin veteran Tomás McCann is also part of Doran’s plans.
As of yet, the new Antrim boss hasn’t coaxed some of Dunloy’s dual stars to the football set-up.
However, he stressed that the newly-crowned senior football champions will have some representation in his first squad in 2026.
“I’d be pretty confident there will be a few Dunloy boys on it,” added Doran.
“The Keelans and Seaans (Keelan Molloy and Seaan Elliott) – we’ve had a good conversation with the boys the last couple of weeks.
“They’re going to play for Antrim but unfortunately it’s going to be hurling at the minute.
“Deaglan Smith is a boy on my radar and he’s just trying to sort a few wee work issues out and hopefully we’ll be pretty clear where he’s at.
“The boys I have mentioned like Keelan and Seaann, you may not see them in an Antrim football jersey this year, but I’ve no doubt you will see them in a football jersey some day.
“They are talented boys. They’re brilliant at hurling and they’re brilliant at football.
“At the minute, they’re just staying with the hurling. But look, I couldn’t say a bad word about them – they are really serious, serious competitors.”
The Down native, who managed Slaughtneil this season while also working with Davy Burke as coach of Roscommon, has labelled the Saffrons “a sleeping giant” and he is hoping his new-look panel can improve their footballing fortunes in 2026.
“Antrim are a sleeping giant and, to be fair, I have been to a brave lot of Antrim club games over the years,” said Doran.
“Antrim club football is as good as any football. And I think everybody seen that when Dunloy played Newbridge.
“That’s the management team’s challenge, it’s trying to get the best players involved with Antrim. I just think if I can get the best players in and maybe put a couple of good structures in, things could really move and really move quickly.
“The proof in the pudding is going to be when the League starts.”
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