KILDARE BOSS KIERAN McGeeney has left the door open for James Kavanagh’s potential return to the Lilywhites squad.
Kavanagh left the squad recently as he was not in a position to commit fully to the setup.
And McGeeney has sympathy for the player’s current personal situation which is precluding him from being involved.
“James had his own thing going on. He made it clear about his personal situation and it’s tough.
“He has a job down here, he has a pregnant wife in Galway, he’s trying to build a house so there’s a whole lot going on there.
He also knows to exist at this level you have to be 100 per cent behind it. You have to be very careful at inter-county level when you’re dealing with family lives.
“There are other issues that are greater than football. Most of us are lucky that we have strong families around us who love us enough to give us that freedom, but sometimes there are things more important than football.
“The door is open for everybody. I said this before and everyone thought I meant that I was looking for inter-county players from around the country.
“But what I mean is that it’s an open door policy. Any club player that feels he can offer something, it’s just a matter of saying ‘give me a chance for four or five weeks’.”
McGeeney saw his side book their place in the O’Byrne Cup semi-finals with a victory yesterday against Wexford. He had to plan without Eamonn Callaghan and Daryl Flynn who continue to be sidelined through injury.
Seanie Johnston is still suffering from a calf injury that he incurred before Christmas but attacking colleague Fionn Dowling was back training with the county’s U21 side over the weekend.
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney with selector Jason Ryan. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan.
McGeeney did have former Wexford boss Jason Ryan at his disposal and praised his impact since joining the Lilywhites coaching setup.
“Sure Jason’s excellent, but Jason’s reputation proceeds him. He’s very meticulous, he’s very enthusiastic in what he does and himself and Damien (Hendy) are meshing well together.
“I’ve been very pleased with both of them so far and what they’re doing. We have a long way to go. We are stepping into first division that is probably the best of the past 20 years.
“The eight teams that are in it are have all been in the last eight in Championship over the past six or seven years, so it’s high quality. Look at last year, they(Donegal) just about stayed up and then went on to win the All-Ireland. That’s how competitive it is.
“But the good thing is, this is where you want to be. I might change my mind halfway through the League, but playing the best teams is where you want to be.”
