'Player exodus' hits Kerry clubs

With unemployment on the rise and "player drain" an increasing issue, a survey carried out by the Kerryman newspaper has shown the stark reality currently facing the county's football clubs.

Journalists from the Kerryman spoke to every one of the managers connected to the 20 teams competing in this year's Kerry Senior Football Championship.

Their findings revealed that over 100 players who either played in last year's Kerry Championship or who were set to play this year are now not available to their clubs or divisional teams.

The absent players, who are mostly college goers, are either travelling aboard for the summer in search of employment or booked for trips after this weekend's opening round of Championship matches.

For example, reigning champions Dr Crokes have six absentees from their panel, including Shane Doolan and Mike Moloney who are working in London and played for the Exiles recently against Mayo.

Feale Rangers are likely to be without seven of their players over the summer, St. Michael's/Foilmore are down eight players and 10 will be missing from the panel of divisional side St. Brendan's.

Only Laune Rangers and Kilcummin have avoided being hit by the player exodus, as the tough economic conditions continue to bite students, graduates and just about anyone seeking regular work.

Club officials around Kerry have all sorts of headaches on their hands. A situation has also emerged in Austin Stacks where Shane Carroll, Paul Barrett and Barry Shanahan, who were due to head Stateside for the summer, now might now be making the trip.

With the trio's transfers to play Gaelic football in America already gone through, a 60-day rule which applies to overseas transfers will prevent them from lining out for Stacks if they decide to stay at home in Tralee.