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'Personal reasons' are understood to be behind James Kavanagh's decision to opt out of the Kildare panel. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Announcement

James Kavanagh pulls out of 2013 Kildare panel for 'personal reasons'

The county are set to begin their 2013 campaign against Carlow IT at the weekend.

KILDARE FOOTBALLER JAMES Kavanagh has been left off the Kildare panel for the 2013 season, with the county’s official website announcing that his absence is due to ‘personal reasons’.

In response to the news, KFM Sport tweeted: “Before mad speculation begins, James Kavanagh will soon become a father, so that has obviously influenced his decision to step aside…”

Kildare take on Carlow IT in the opening round of the Bórd na Móna O’Byrne Cup, as their 2013 campaign gets underway at 2pm this Sunday in St Conleth’s Park, and they’ll have to cope without the former All-Star nominee.

Newcomers in the side include James Eaton, Cathal McNally, Conor Mellett and Willie Groome, while it will also be the first opportunity for new selectors Damien Hendy and Jason Ryan to assess their players in a competitive game.

And while they may be misssing Kavanagh, Kildare have been boosted by the return to the panel of Gary White and Alan Smith, while Sarsfield teammate Dermot Earley continues his recovery from a knee injury.

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