Kavanagh recalled to Galway squad

Former captain Shane Kavanagh has been recalled to the extended Galway hurling squad for 2013.

And forward Aonghus Callanan, who spent last year in Australia, is also back in training for the Tribesmen as they bid to end their All-Ireland famine.

Full-back Kavanagh was deemed unlucky to lose out just over a year ago when the new management team of Anthony Cunningham, Tom Helebert and Mattie Kenny took charge and made wholesale changes to the Galway panel.

Kavanagh was among the high profile casualties as the new management dropped one-third of the team which had started the All-Ireland quarter-final against Waterford that summer.

But the Kinvara clubman is now back in the fold, along with clubman Colm Callanan who came to Galway’s rescue in the All-Ireland final replay when cover was needed for injured goalkeeper James Skehill.

Cappataggle player Skehill will miss most of the national league campaign, having undergone surgery.

The return of the pacy Callanan will increase Galway’s options up front, with the versatile Liam Mellows forward set to challenge for a place.

The Galway 2012 panel is currently on a team holiday in Dubai and will play their first competitive game of the season when they take on Carlow or Antrim in the Walsh Cup on January 27.