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8 GAA players who were glad to be back as the 2014 season started this weekend

It was a big day yesterday for the likes of Galway’s James Kavanagh, Dublin’s Kevin Nolan and Kerry’s Barry John Keane.

THE 2014 INTER-COUNTY season cranked into action yesterday and it was a big day for Gaelic footballers around the country.

But taking to the field was particularly significant for these eight players.

1. James Kavanagh (Galway)

In 2012 Kavanagh was at the core of Kildare’s attacking efforts but his Lilywhites career ended after their All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Cork. He was not involved in 2013 but re-emerged on the inter-county scene yesterday.

Changing family and work circumstances now see him in Galway colours and he scored a point in an outstanding display for the Tribesmen.

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Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

2. Kevin Nolan (Dublin)

In 2011, Nolan was man-of-the-match in the All-Ireland final win over Kerry. The following year he was wing-back when Dublin lost an All-Ireland semi-final to Mayo.

But last season Nolan, who is a coeliac and has Type 1 diabetes, could not nail down a regular starting place. Yesterday he started at wing-back against Westmeath and the talented defender will hope to feature more regularly in 2014.

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

3. Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

Morgan was one of the stars of the 2013 spring campaign. But after lining out against Donegal in the Ulster championship, he suffered a serious knee injury in a club game that cut short his season.

Yesterday Morgan was back between the posts for Tyrone in Letterkenny. He saved a Michael Murphy penalty and kicked three points from frees to help them triumph.

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Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Donna McBride

4. Barry John Keane (Kerry)

Keane does not lack exposure to inter-county football and indeed played in last season’s league for the Kingdom. But he didn’t make the cut for the championship panel, which was why yesterday’s McGrath Cup tie was significant for the Kerins O’Rahilly’s club man.

He entered the game in the first-half after Stephen O’Brien was shown a black card and shot over four points from play during his time on the pitch. His display drew praise from manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice afterwards.

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

5. Peter Fitzpatrick (Down)

Midfield on the Down team that contested the 2010 All-Ireland final against Cork, Fitzpatrick was one of the brightest young talents in the Mourne County.

He spent last year in Australia but was back in Down colours for yesterday’s Dr McKenna Cup  opener in Newry. The midfielder struck the only goal of the game as well against UUJ.

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Pic: INPHO/Presseye/Russell Pritchard

6. Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

Like his defensive colleague Nolan, Fitzsimons was a defensive mainstay for Dublin during the Pat Gilroy regime.

Injury difficulties affected the Cuala player from impacting last season but he was handed a starting jersey yesterday in Mullingar against Westmeath.

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

7. Gareth Bradshaw (Galway)

Last May, Bradshaw captained Galway against Mayo but was sent-off on an afternoon when his side lost by 17 points. He opted to take a break from the inter-county scene after that and spent some time in the United States.

One of the most under-rated players in the game, the Moycullen man has returned to the fray for 2014 and impressed with his performance at wing-forward against Sligo yesterday.

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Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

8. Gary White (Kildare)

White was forced to leave the Lilywhites panel last February due to work commitments which saw him having to head to the Lebanon for a stint with the Defence Forces.

The Sarsfields man is back in harness for new Kildare manager Jason Ryan and started at midfield in the comprehensive win over Athlone IT yesterday.

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Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Here’s the 19 GAA players who were shown black cards over the weekend

Cracking volley to the net by Wicklow’s Dean Odlum lights up O’Byrne Cup clash

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