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Mikey Sheehy. File Photo
AMIDST all the football chatter around the county, the Kerry senior panel are getting down to the serious business of building for the Munster Championship which is now a month away.
Kerry legend and current selector, Mikey Sheehy, was quoted in the Irish Examiner speaking about preparations and changes to the panel that will see an injection of young blood.
Along with Kieran O’Leary’s retirement from the inter-county scene, Jack Sherwood, Pa Kilkenny, Paul O’Sullivan and Aidan Walsh were released from the panel.
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“It’s disappointing for those lads. You have to freshen. We could be right, we could be wrong. We have U21 players to come in too,” he said.
“Kerry have won the last two minor All-Irelands. There’s plenty of talent coming through. The big problem in Kerry is the supporters — patience is not in their DNA.”
Sheehy did not see eye to eye with the assertion that this is an aging Kerry team.
“I don’t agree, because the old guys on the team Marc [Ó Sé] and Aidan [O’Mahony]… both would have been disappointed with their performance in the final, but looking at them in training they’re still a huge important part of our squad. Even aside from what they produce on the pitch they’re leaders in the dressing room and that’s hugely important.”
There is good news for Kerry followers with James O’Donoghue and Anthony Maher nearing full fitness and Sheehy expects they will be picking from a full and fit panel come championship time.
“James and Anthony are making great progress. Johnny Buckley had minor surgery on a knee problem that he picked up in training two weeks before the league final. He’ll be back training in the next week or so and we should have everyone for the semi-final.”
Kerry will play the winners of Clare and Limerick on June 12 in Fitzgerald Stadium. The Munster Final will be on July 3.
