Donaghy to miss league openers

By Tony Leen

Kerry’s hopes of a fast start in the Allianz Football League have been dealt a blow with Kieran Donaghy to miss next month’s big throw-in with injury.

Donaghy, looking to bounce back after an indifferent campaign last season, is troubled by the same hip and back issues that have grounded so many inter-county players in recent times — including Kerry’s Donnchadh Walsh and Paul Galvin.

Donaghy will miss the first couple of games at least in Division 1, including the Kingdom’s glamour opener against All-Ireland champions Dublin at Croke Park.

That will further weaken manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s options, with Killian Young and Darran O’Sullivan recuperating after operations, and the likes of Marc Ó Sé and Declan O’Sullivan being eased back into the green and gold over the course of the league campaign.

Kerry will also be without their Dr Crokes contingent of Colm Cooper, Kieran O’Leary, Johnny Buckley, Fionn Fitzgerald, Daithi Casey and potentially Brian Looney, leaving them shy 10 regular starters.

However, Fitzmaurice sees it as a huge opportunity for the likes of Jack Sherwood, Jonathan Lyne, Stephen O’Brien, David Moran, Paul Geaney and Alan Fitzgerald to push for summer starts.

And the Kerry manager believes Kingdom fans will see a new Donaghy when he does return to the county set-up.

“People forget that Kieran had a lot going on in 2013 — a wedding, honeymoon, building a house. There are no such issues this season. He’s a tough character, strong mentally, and I think people could see a big bounce from him this year. He’s settled now, the focus is on Kerry. We could see a big year from him.”