Kerry hurlers sweating on eight players ahead of Joe McDonagh Cup opener

Already ruled out for “probably the rest of the campaign” are Michael O'Leary, Martin Stackpoole, Brandon Barrett, Jordan Conway, and John Buckley

Kerry hurling manager Fintan O'Connor. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Kerry hurling manager Fintan O’Connor is hoping eight members of his injury-depleted panel can overcome recent knocks to line out in the county’s Joe McDonagh Cup opener this Saturday.

O’Connor has been dealing with an injury crisis over the past few weeks, with Saturday’s home fixture against Down (Austin Stack Park, 12.30pm) coming too soon for captain Daniel Collins and first-choice half-back Michael Leane.