Sheehy questions Spillane’s Kingdom assertions

Kerry selector Mikey Sheehy has questioned his former team-mate Pat Spillane’s belief the county could be in the middle of another barren era without an All-Ireland title.

Having last lifted the Sam Maguire Cup in 2009, Spillane fears the Kingdom might go a further five years with no ultimate glory.

“Pat is Pat,” smiled Sheehy wryly. “I wouldn’t agree with him entirely because of the fact I’m close to the camp and I know the work that is being done at U21 and minor level. You even saw this year with Chorca Dhuibhne, Eamonn (Fitzmaurice)’s team winning the All-Ireland. There’s good players coming through. Maybe he’s right but I certainly wouldn’t be in agreement with him. He made one reference to development squads and I wouldn’t agree with him on that. Development squads have been going on for a number of years. I think that’s a fair point with a lot of counties that with strength and conditioning, the programmes have to be right.”

Sheehy said Kieran Donaghy is all but ruled out with a shoulder injury. “He’s in a sling, I think he starts rehab in three or four weeks. He popped his shoulder but didn’t have surgery.”

Declan O’Sullivan impressed for Dromid Pearses at the weekend while Killian Young is returning to full fitness despite suffering back spasms.