Tyrone star Cathal McShane says he decided to turn down the chance of an AFL contract due to his desire to realise his potential in Gaelic football.
McShane (24) was an All-Star at full-forward last year and despite the offer of a two-year deal from Adelaide Crows after impressing during an 11-day trial, the lure of potential success at home was decisive.
"I'm happy I have clarity now," he told the Irish Independent. "I was down 10 or 11 days to suss everything out, see how I felt; that time definitely gave me a good insight into it, It helped me when I came home and put everything together to weigh up my options.
"When I did that I felt it was best to stay here at home in Ireland.
"Everyone knows that I was giving it serious consideration. That's why I went out that long, to try to see how I would feel. I needed to know. In terms of how I got on, I felt I did really well and they were happy with me.
"I was thinking this is one that could be suited to me but whenever I weighed it up I saw where my game was at with Tyrone.
"I was in a good position coming off my best year and I feel I can keep getting better and stronger and that's why I decided to stay at home. I had to try to figure what was best for me in the future and I felt it was best to stay."
McShane, who was joint-top scorer in last year's Championship with 3-48 to his name, also told BBC Northern Ireland that a new job as a salesman with building providers Keystone was "a big deciding factor" in his eventual decision.
