It’s not just in Mayo that there’s a cull of the county senior football panel.
This morning, Mayo fans woke up to the news that three high-profile players would not be lining out for the Connacht champions in this year’s quest for All-Ireland glory.
And, it seems, the axe has also come down on several Kerry senior footballers over the last 24 hours too, as panels across the country are finalised.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice has already lost the services of Tommy Walsh, who opted out of action this year, and, the Irish Examiner is reporting that up to five senior players have also departed the squad, including former All-Ireland winning captain Kieran O’Leary.
O’Leary was joint Kerry captain in 2014 and, along with Fionn Fitzgerald, lifted Sam Maguire after the Kingdom’s narrow win over Donegal.
However the Dr Crokes forward, who started the 2011 All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin, has been axed, along with defenders Pa Kilkenny and Jack Sherwood.
Paul O’Sullivan of Valentia and St Mary’s Aidan Walsh have also been told they are not required for the summer months by a Kerry senior management still smarting from last month’s 11-point hammering in the Allianz League final by Dublin.
Killian Spillane, nephew of Kerry legend Pat, is likely to be one of a number of under-21 players who will now make the step up to the senior squad. Corner-back Briain O Beaglaoich, who started the opening league game against Dublin, is also set to feature for the seniors when he recovers from a broken hand.
The cull will be seen by Kerry fans as the first positive sign of action from the management, who have been under pressure to freshen up the panel since last month’s record loss to Dublin.
