Billy Lee: Austin Stacks' loss will be Kerry's gain

“The rest will do Joe no harm and I’m sure he’ll come bouncing like a bunny rabbit for Kerry."

Kerry's Joe O'Connor in action against Monaghan in the All-Ireland SFC round robin phase. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Austin Stacks’ short-term loss will be Kerry’s season-long gain, according to Billy Lee, who expects Joe O’Connor to “bounce like a bunny rabbit” into the inter-county year.

Kerry midfielder O’Connor was marked absent during Austin Stacks’ All-Ireland intermediate club semi-final defeat to Ballinderry on Saturday afternoon having injured his quad in the middle of last month.