GAELIC GAMES:JOHN McAREAVEY, the grieving husband of Michaela Harte, has been recalled to the Down senior football panel for the championship.

The 30-year old has been brought into the Down squad by manager James McCartan and could feature in the opening round of the Ulster championship against Armagh on May 28th.

Down PRO Paul Rooney yesterday confirmed McAreavey had been recalled after impressing for his club Tullylish.

“John is back in the squad alright. He has been playing some unreal football of late. I saw him score 1-12 for his club in a league match recently, but that is not a once-off: he has been doing that for a while.

“I think he is enjoying his football and I’m sure it helps to take his mind off everything that happened. He is certainly in contention for the championship,” said Rooney.

McAreavey made his debut for Down in 2008 when he was drafted in by Ross Carr.

In January his wife Michaela, daughter of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, was killed in Mauritius on their honeymoon.