McShane delighted with call-up for NI

Former Inver man Harry McConkey has included the veteran defender on his panel as his men prepare to take on teams from Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man.

Former Linfield man McShane admitted it was a “big surprise” to be included. “I was delighted to get the call and it is a great honour to represent your country at any time,” he said.

“It will be a hectic few days with three games in three days, but as I missed pre-season it will help build up my fitness levels.

“It is 20 years since I represented Northern Ireland and because players in the top-flight are not considered, I honestly didn’t know about the competition.

“I am also flying the flag for Larne when I am playing as Paul Maguire has had to withdraw. It is up to me to represent the club and I am really looking forward to it,” added McShane who sets off with the squad on Thursday morning.

Larne captain Maguire, who performed brilliantly for the squad in the Nations Cup in Italy, has been forced to withdraw from this week’s competition.

“I have been struggling to recover from injury and it wouldn’t have been fair on the rest of the boys. It would have been very intense over three days.

“Hopefully I can build up my fitness and when I am fully fit I can get back into the squad,” he said.