Boost for Cavan as McKiernan returns to the fold

GAA news

In a significant boost for the Cavan senior team, Gearoid McKiernan has returned to the panel for the 2025 season, the Anglo-Celt understands.

The Cavan Gaels clubman represented Cavan at senior level from 2011 to 2022 before opting out last year. The former team captain was arguably Cavan’s best-known player of the last decade, winning an Ulster SFC medal in 2020, having captained the county to the 2011 Ulster U21 Championship.

McKiernan’s form for the Gaels in the club championship was outstanding and his return, confirmed by sources outside of the county set-up, is a major boost for all involved. While McKiernan will turn 35 next year, he has always been renowned for his application to training and preparation and there has been no sign of any waning in his powers in the last 12 months as he delivered a succession of high-quality displays in his club’s run to the SFC semi-finals.

With Ramor youngster Sean McEvoy committing to the squad after a three-year spell playing soccer in the United States and goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell having returned from Leitrim, Cavan manager Raymond Galligan should have a deeper squad to call in for 2025. Galligan has added 13 new faces to his provisional panel.

Also called up are Peter Devine (Ballymachugh), Michael Brady (Ballyhaise), Ruairi Curran (Swanlinbar), Luke Molloy (Cavan Gaels), Cormac McKeogh (Mullahoran), Thomas Edward Donohoe (Denn), Sean Clarke (Shercock), Ben McGahan (Cootehill Celtic), Darragh Dolan (Drumlane) and Barry Donnelly (Arva).