Blow for Kerry as Johnny Buckley leaves panel

Kerry’s 2018 championship ambitions have received a setback with the news that Dr Crokes midfielder Johnny Buckley has left the senior football panel.

The 2017 Kerry captain had been dogged by a knee injury earlier this year which meant he saw no league action and now he has informed Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice that he cannot give full commitment because of an increased workload this summer in the family business Kerry Coaches.

It is believed that Buckley informed the Kerry management last weekend.