Kavanagh looks to build on flying start

Former Kildare star James Kavanagh hopes he can continue to impress for Galway after making an excellent debut for the Tribesmen on Sunday.

The 28-year-old garda was man of the match as Galway secured a 3-10 to 0-8 victory over Sligo in the FBD League. Kavanagh, twice an All Star nominee, has been living in Milltown in Galway for over a year following his marriage to Linda Mullahy and transferred to Mill Street garda station in the city.

He played for Milltown last year and was called into the Galway squad when they regrouped a few weeks ago.

“I was happy to get the run out in my first competitive match. It went well, I got myself on a good bit of ball and that’s what it’s all about this time of year, getting the eye in.”

Kavanagh has strong Galway connections having moved to the famed St Jarlath’s College for his final two years in secondary school and helped them win the Hogan Cup in 2002 with a side which included his new colleagues such as Michael Meehan, Alan Burke, Gary Sice and Niall Coleman.

“I was in Jarlath’s and I know a few of the lads so that was the first connection I had. And then when I was down there I met my wife Linda, so I’m down here full time.

“I managed to get a move with the job so it made sense to me to come in and I wanted to come in and give it a go. I felt I still had a year or two to offer so that’s how it all came about.”

He said that the welcome offered to him by Milltown — the home club of former Galway stars Gay McManus and Tomas Tierney — encouraged him to pitch his lot in with Galway if Alan Mulholland came calling.

“Milltown have been brilliant to me. I’ve been welcomed into Milltown by everybody. It’s great, you’re made feel so welcome. I was a bit anxious coming into Galway, you know, how the lads would see it down here, the current lads, but they’ve been so sound, very welcoming and there all good lads, no bother with them whatsoever.”