Football

Rory Kavanagh makes shock return to Donegal panel

Rory Kavanagh has returned to the Donegal squad ahead of the beginning of their National League campaign
Rory Kavanagh has returned to the Donegal squad ahead of the beginning of their National League campaign Rory Kavanagh has returned to the Donegal squad ahead of the beginning of their National League campaign

RORY Kavanagh has done a shock u-turn on his retirement and has returned to the Donegal panel ahead of their National League campaign.

The St. Eunan’s man had enjoyed 13 seasons in Donegal colours before announcing his retirement last January.

Kavanagh had famously embarked on a diet plan of six meals a day and going to the gym five mornings a week as Jim McGuinness sought to transform him into the all-rounder who complemented Neil Gallagher during the most successful period in the county’s footballing history.

33-year-old Kavanagh continued to play for his club last season and Donegal boss Rory Gallagher confirmed to The Irish News last night that Kavanagh will be available for the League.

“I can confirm that Rory’s rejoined the panel, and we’re obviously delighted with that.

“We would have spoken before Christmas. He’s in constant contact with a lot of the boys anyway, and he just felt that it was something he wanted to do.

“We feel that he’s more than good enough, so there’s no big drama to it. It was very simple.

“He was working away himself pre-Christmas. We’re not saying exactly when he’ll be back playing as such, but it will be sooner rather than later,” said Gallagher.

Gallagher also said that no decision would be made on the future of former Allstar goalkeeper Paul Durcan until the end of January.

The former Four Masters man has been working in Qatar since September, but flew home for games with his adopted club Ballyboden St. Enda’s as they won the Leinster senior club title.

With last year’s minor goalkeeper Danny Rodgers having deputised for the first two McKenna Cup games, doubts remain over whether the 32-year-old will continue his Donegal career.

Durcan joined up with the squad when he was home over Christmas and Gallagher said: ”It was left that we’d chat at the end of January, there’s nothing will be decided between now and then.”

The Irish News also understands that Mark McHugh will rejoin the squad at some point ahead of Donegal’s Ulster Championship opener against either Antrim or Fermanagh, though Gallagher declined to comment on his future.