What do you's think? He was flying for St Eunans in the 2015 county final so I think its positive for the year ahead.
Will his revelations in the book effect the team 2016?

Donegal_D (Donegal) - Posts: 61 - 12/01/2016 08:34:46    1815957

Different era, the book never really said anything (bad) about the current panel, the only person that it really I thought poked at was JmcG and Kevin Cassidy - which he later then said he regretted and would talk to Cassidy no problem now at all.

Great move by Donegal to bring him back, talk Mark McHugh back in the fold too - that is two serious additions. That is two all ireland winners back in the fold to blend with the youngsters, always though Kavanagh went too early but as you say, flying in county final so he should be back to speed quick enough.

Just on Kavanagh's book, probably the best GAA book of recent times with regards to honesty - I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 12/01/2016 10:20:43    1815978

I'm not sure if I buy into this thing of retiring and then coming out again to play. Lar Corbett and Galvin never really got going the second time around. On the otherhand, you could make the case of Brian Corcoran. Its hard to know, I believe Donegal might win an Ulster but that will be there pinnacle.

222 (UK) - Posts: 692 - 12/01/2016 10:22:20    1815979

I think the retiring and starting again is reflective of how draining gaa can be. Guys who clearly have more to give are ground down and feel old before their time. Truth be told they needed a rest.

What did he say about mcguinness in the book?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 12/01/2016 10:27:50    1815983

Obviously his circumstances have changed and he feels on good enough nick to give it another rattle. He spent last summer in Boston and won a championship in a less challenging environment. I see Dick Clerkin had a thinly veiled pop on Twitter. My response to this is you'll be retired long enough! If he feels good and can offer something to the set up then why wouldn't he come back?

So that's Kav and McLoone back for 2016. Hopefully a few of the younger lads can stake a claim and freshen the thing up. I'm cautiously optimistic for the year ahead.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 12/01/2016 11:07:38    1815999

I think it great. While he may not be a guaranteed starter he can definitely teach the younger guys a few things.
Kavanagh started out as a ball player similar in some ways to Odhran McNeilis so maybe he can help in making odhran the total midfielder. Same goes with Ciaran Thompson who is young but is looking a real prospect.
I agree with the post above. I think the few tough years under McGuinness took its toll on Kavanagh and he needed a rest.

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 12/01/2016 11:13:03    1816002

Great to have Kav back. Anyone who seen Donegal county final were raving about his performance despite the reversal. The real benefit will be his influence in aiding the development of some of the younger players Stephen McB, Odhran and Ciaran Thompson especially. All tall rangey players like Kav himself in the typical Donegal mould. I did not see Dick Clerkins twitter post but I bet underneath it all he rather Kav stayed retired. As for Mark McHugh think it might be better off for all involved if he remains out of the squad. Hardly pulled up trees last year and was woeful in my opinion against Mayo. The guy has a serious talent but not the discipline required of a top level inter county footballer. Truth is that Ryan his brother is a far better player at the mo and plays same role Mark did. Added to this that there are younger players coming through in a similar mould. Unfortunately for Donegal what they don't have and need is top class inside forwards.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 12/01/2016 16:31:33    1816098

Clerkin's post was:
"No harm, and this is nothing personal, but this 'Coming out of retirement' is a load of utter sh!te!! Don't quit in the first place then!"

In my opinion Kav was a very underrated cog in the Donegal machine under McGuinness. He is a very intelligent player who rarely gave the ball away. He has great running power and is always good for a score or two. Time will tell if he's still capable of performing similarly at inter county level but as others have mentioned his experience and know-how will be invaluable to the group. Bottom line is: Are Donegal better off with Kavanagh in the set up? The answer is a resounding yes if you ask me.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 13/01/2016 12:15:49    1816291

Great to have Kav back. Anyone who seen Donegal county final were raving about his performance despite the reversal. The real benefit will be his influence in aiding the development of some of the younger players Stephen McB, Odhran and Ciaran Thompson especially. All tall rangey players like Kav himself in the typical Donegal mould. I did not see Dick Clerkins twitter post but I bet underneath it all he rather Kav stayed retired. As for Mark McHugh think it might be better off for all involved if he remains out of the squad. Hardly pulled up trees last year and was woeful in my opinion against Mayo. The guy has a serious talent but not the discipline required of a top level inter county footballer. Truth is that Ryan his brother is a far better player at the mo and plays same role Mark did. Added to this that there are younger players coming through in a similar mould. Unfortunately for Donegal what they don't have and need is top class inside forwards.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts:116 - 12/01/2016 16:31:33

dropped for discipline reasons,wont be back this year

WilliePower12 (Australia) - Posts: 25 - 13/01/2016 12:27:24    1816295

Thanks Willie and no harm if rumours of his ill discipline during last years championship were true. I was answering previous poster who intimated it be good to have him back too.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 13/01/2016 13:46:25    1816332

Good to see Kavanagh back, a big addition to the squad & sorry & all as I am to say it I am also happy to see the McHugh issue finally being addressed.

He is a fine player but needs to get his head straight before coming back to the county setup. His dad, Martin, is managing the Kilcar team this year & I would be hopeful that he would get himself back on track.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 13/01/2016 16:41:41    1816388