Old hands return to Galway squad for season ahead

STEPHEN GLENNON

THERE are a number of new – and old – faces in the Galway senior hurling training squad as the pre-season work for 2013 continues, with former Galway captain Shane Kavanagh and returning emigrants, Aonghus Callanan and Rory Foy brought back into the fold.

Kavanagh became one of the most talked about hurlers outside of the Galway panel when he was excluded in the initial stages in 2012 and while attempts were made subsequently to entice him back into the set-up, it did not come to pass.

However, the Kinvara defender, who captained the Tribesmen to the National League title in 2010, has made a commitment for 2013 and with Liam Mellows sharpshooter Aonghus Callanan and Ballinderreen defender and former All-Ireland U-21 winner Rory Foy both returning from Australia, those three additions should significantly bolster the Galway squad.

A number of other players have been linked to the panel as well, including two who shone brightly in the Galway senior hurling championship in 2012, namely Gort defender Sylvie Óg Linnane and Padraig Pearses centre-forward Emmett Ward.

Another call up is Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry teenager Paul Killeen – who was controversially sent off in last year’s All-Ireland minor semi-final – while Kinvara goalkeeper Colm Callanan has been retained after he was catapulted back into the senior squad following an injury to No. 1 custodian James Skehill prior to the Tribesmen’s All-Ireland final replay against Kilkenny last September.

According to manager Anthony Cunningham, while a number of players have linked up with the squad, the panel for the National League will not be finalised until mid-February – so there may be some movement in and out of the set-up before then.

Of course, injuries will play a part and, in this regard, Skehill looks set to miss the Walsh Cup and, most likely, the majority of the National League after undergoing surgery on that troublesome shoulder injury. 

Having returned from a team holiday in Dubai late last week, Galway played – and comprehensively defeated – Offaly in a challenge at the weekend, although Cunningham insists the game was merely “a get together” used to kick-start the new year.

In any event, with a number of players tied to college commitments – and the impending Fitzgibbon Cup – and the St. Thomas’ contingent planning an assault on the All-Ireland club series, a number of fringe players should get the opportunity to stake a claim in the squad when Galway’s Walsh Cup campaign gets underway against Antrim or Carlow on Sunday, January 27.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.