Coleman trains with Killybegs amid Donegal SFC opener but GAA return remains unlikely

Seamus Coleman trained with his hometown club Killybegs during the opening weekend of the Donegal Senior Football Championship on Sunday, but he did not line out in Killybegs' 0-15 to 0-10 defeat to Four Masters and a return to Gaelic football is unlikely while he continues to pursue his professional career.

The 37-year-old left Everton at the end of last season after a 17-year spell with the club and has been without a team since, despite featuring in June's international friendlies for the Republic of Ireland. He has 81 Republic of Ireland caps and made 433 appearances for Everton after joining from Sligo Rovers in 2009. In May it was announced that Coleman would leave Everton, who had offered him a coaching contract to remain on Merseyside, but he had declined that in a bid to continue his playing career.

For a few hours on Sunday social media carried speculation that Coleman had found a new club — not on the football pitch but with his local Gaelic side Killybegs — although he did not play in the club's opener. The Donegal Senior Football Championship began on Saturday and Killybegs travelled to Four Masters for their match on Sunday afternoon.

It is understood Coleman has been training with Killybegs GAC to keep his fitness up as he looks for a new football club. He has previously said a return to playing Gaelic football with Killybegs could be on the cards at some point, but it is unlikely while his professional career is still ongoing, even if he is a free agent for now.

Coleman grew up in the fishing village of Killybegs in the north west of the island, played Gaelic football for his hometown and association football for St Catherine's, and was selected for Donegal at minor level. He has often spent time back in Donegal during breaks or when injured to be with St Catherine's or to watch Donegal and Killybegs.

Speaking ahead of June's international friendlies, Coleman said the prospect of adding to his 81 Republic of Ireland caps was key to wanting to continue playing. "I think if we had got to a World Cup then things would have been different, but I spoke to the manager [Heimir Hallgrimsson] and he said if I can be fit and perform then he would like to have me around," Coleman said. "So as soon as the carrot of Ireland was dangled in front of me, that became a massive factor in my decisions."

Coleman has yet to join a new club despite the start of the new season in England just weeks away, and he has returned to his roots to keep his fitness up as he searches for a new side.