Kavanagh back for Carlow

Shane Kavanagh has knitted back into the Carlow senior hurling panel ahead of Sunday's Christy Ring Cup final against Antrim (Croke Park, throw-in 2pm).

Shane Kavanagh has knitted back into the Carlow senior hurling panel ahead of Sunday's Christy Ring Cup final against Antrim at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

The Naomh Eoin defender missed the Barrowsiders' shock semi-final win over Down due to a short visit to Boston.

He returned last Thursday and confirmed his fitness by playing for Carlow in a challenge match last weekend against the Kilkenny intermediate side.

The talented centre-back, who was the only Carlow player to make the Leinster squad for last year's Interprovincial series, seems certain to win his place back for the Antrim game.

Eoin Garvey's Carlow side will be bidding to follow up on the county's sustained underage success - this year's minor team reached the Leinster final, while Carlow have also won four Leinster Minor 'B' titles between 2002 and 2005, six All-Ireland Minor 'B' championships since 1981 and eight All-Ireland Under-21 'B' titles since 1974.

Former minor boss Garvey said: "Antrim is a huge task for us now but it is absolutely essential that we compete and that we don't freeze (at Croke Park).

"If we freeze in any shape or form, we're in trouble. But I don't think we will and we're in with a right chance."