O’Mahony blow for Kerry

KERRY’s defensive options for the Championship suffered a fresh blow last night after All Star Aidan O’Mahony withdrew from the panel for “personal reasons”.

The Rathmore man is a four-time All-Ireland medal winner with the Kingdom and, ironically, had regained some of his best form in this year’s National League.

With Mike McCarthy on an extended break, O’Mahony was given a prolonged run at centre back and seemed to be edging his way back to the form which made him one of the country’s top defenders in 2006-07.

However he was sent off at a crucial stage in Kerry’s loss to Tyrone in Omagh last month for an irresponsible high tackle, and subsequently did not travel with the squad to their Algarve warm-weather camp. Though there is no indication that the two issues are linked, he had been expected to travel with the squad to Portugal.

Ironically the return of Kilcummin’s McCarthy to the squad in recent weeks may also have been a factor in O’Mahony’s decision to take time out.

Kerry chairman Jerome Conway said last night: “Aidan O’Mahony has taken time out from the Kerry senior football panel for personal reasons We respect his decision and we will welcome him back whenever that may be.”

Meanwhile Tomás O Sé has been given the all-clear by specialists after he picked up a knee injury for his club, An Ghaeltacht, last weekend.

O Sé went for a precautionary scan in Cork on Monday morning, and has been assured he will be fit and ready for Kerry’s Munster SFC opener against Tipperary next month.