James O’Donoghue undergoes shoulder operation

Kerry’s James O’Donoghue has undergone surgery on a shoulder problem, and is set for an extensive period of rehabilitation before being available to the beaten All-Ireland finalists in 2016.

O’Donoghue had a procedure on one of two troublesome shoulders on Monday at Santry Sports Clinic. Because he has rehabbed from a similar operation in 2014, O’Donoghue may be sidelined for four rather than six months, but a return to action for the Kingdom before July would be a welcome surprise for Eamonn Fitzmaurice.

The Kerry manager is preparing for next year’s Allianz League with a seriously depleted squad. Already he is without O’Donoghue, Anthony Maher, Paul Geaney and Peter Crowley for the first three or four rounds because of operations, and Bryan Sheehan also likely to be given time off after his All-Ireland club commitments with St Mary’s come to an end in January or February.