Acheson has no plans to return

Peter Acheson says Tipperary manager Liam Kearns has asked him to "four or five times" to come back to Ireland to play next season.

The Moyle Rovers clubman, who led the Premier County to the 2016 All-Ireland SFC semi-final, emigrated to the Middle East over the winter to take up a job in business development with an oil and gas company.

Acheson, who scored 1-2 for the 2016 All Stars against the 2015 All Stars in Sunday's exhibition match in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, says he has no intention at the moment of returning to lead Tipp in 2017 but may make himself available for the occasional game.

"Ah, Liam's been on four or five times already," he said.

"We’ll talk tactics maybe in the New Year but look I’m enjoying it out here so I don’t think I’ll go home any time soon. Maybe we can sort something out, to play games maybe. We’ll talk maybe Liam knows the craic. He’s a clever lad - we’ll be talking straight."

Acheson says he and his partner had originally planned to relocate to the Middle East almost three years ago, only for the move to be postponed because of football commitments.

"She’s waiting two or three years. We were supposed to come in February this year but then Liam said play the league and then play the championship. I’m delighted I stayed now. It was the best year we ever had," he continued.

"It is tough to leave after a year like that, but at the same time it is the best time to leave too, with great memories after a great year.

"I’m 26. I had eight years with Tipp, so it was absolutely brilliant."

Photo (©Inpho/Donall Farmer)

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