By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL manager Mickey McCann has called for a return of the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship.

The competition, won by Antrim 16 years on the trot, was last played for in 2017 when the Saffrons beat Armagh in the decider.

It was shelved in favour of the tiered All-Ireland hurling structure that brought the likes of the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring and Nickey Rackard Cups below the top tier teams vying for the Liam McCarthy Cup.

McCann leads his side into the championship for the fifth season and feels Ulster hurling is on the rise.

“There is a bit more revenue going into the teams, compared to how it was,” McCann said.

“Most of teams have full-time coaches, and strength and conditioning on board.

“The players are looked after and are in better condition. There has been more work going on behind the scenes and an Ulster Championship would be interesting again.”

McCann also feels an Ulster Club League would be another addition, using his own county as an example.

“There are seven or eight clubs in Donegal and the more times they get to play teams in Ulster at their level would be beneficial,” he outlined.

In terms of rekindling the inter-county Ulster Championship, McCann accepts that Antrim would be “hot favourites” to lift the Liam Harvey Cup every year.

“That defeats the purpose, it would be very good for Ulster hurling as far as I am concerned,” he said.

“We had a couple of good games with Down in the McGurk Cup and you can rise to that level. It would be a great experience to go and play the likes of Antrim, it can only help and raise the standards.”

McCann’s proposal would see Antrim handed an automatic semi-final spot, with the other eight counties left to compete to see who would join them.

“I’d like to see the beaten teams in the semi-finals then play off in a shield final, so all teams have a target, we might not win an Ulster title here, but we’ll push for a semi-final spot.”

“You’d be under no illusions, it would be a learning curve. You’d get better and better, it should be something they are looking at again.

“Down and Derry would be a bit ahead, but not by much.

“Tyrone, Armagh and ourselves would like to get a go at them.”