STEPHEN McCarthy is determined to shake off a niggling calf injury to play in Manchester Giants' pre-season basketball tournament in Ireland this weekend.

Giants have accepted an invitation to compete in a six-team event organised by leading Irish side, Neptune.

The competition, starting tomorrow ( Friday ), is being staged in McCarthy's home city of Cork.

''It will be nice to get home and see a few old faces,'' says McCarthy, who has put his accountancy career on hold to join the Giants.

''But it will be strange playing against Neptune instead of with them if I make it on court.

''It's the first time I've played full-time so we''ll have to see how things work out.''

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