Michael John Kavanagh (born 6 April 1979) is an Irish former hurler who played as a right corner-back at senior level for the Kilkenny county team. Born in Freshford, County Kilkenny, Kavanagh first played competitive hurling during his schooling at St Kieran's College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Kilkenny minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He joined the senior team during the 1998 championship. Kavanagh immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen, and won seven All-Ireland medals, ten Leinster medals and five National League medals on the field of play. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.