Roughyeds swoop for McCully

OLDHAM RL Club have bolstered their injury-hit back division with the capture of 31-year-old centre Mark McCully.

The hugely-experienced McCully, formerly with St Helens, Leigh, Chorley Lynx, Rochdale, Workington and Blackpool, has signed a short-term Roughyeds deal to November 30.

Having won only four of 10 league games to date, Tony Benson’s men aim to cement a play-off spot by building on Friday’s gutsy performance at Swinton and enjoying a more successful second half of the season.

“We’ve got to right off those six losses, draw a line under them and start again,” said McCully.

“The title is out of reach now, but we must strive to get has high as we can in the play-off six.”

McCully had four seasons at Rochdale between 2004 and 2007, followed by one-year at Workington and two at Blackpool where, in total, he scored 19 tries in 49 games.

He chose to take time away from the game when Blackpool folded at the end of last season, but in recent weeks he has been playing rugby union for Liverpool-St Helens.

“It will be great to kick-start my rugby league career again,” added McCully, a friend and former team-mate of Carl Forber and John Clough.

“I’m hoping it will be fourth time lucky, because three times previously I’ve been close to signing without actually doing so.

“The first time was way back in Mike Ford’s time as coach when I was leaving St Helens as a youngster.

“I was all set to sign for Oldham, but Leigh came in and I opted to go there.

“Twice since then — once when I left Rochdale to go to Workington — I had lengthy talks with Oldham, but nothing materialised. Now it has happened at last and I am relishing the next two months.”

Benson was keen to sign an experienced three-quarter, because Lucas Onyango, John Gillam, Marcus St Hilaire and Mick Fogerty are all out injured.