Kerry rocked by O’Mahony departure

Kerry have been rocked by the news that former all-star Aidan O’Mahony has left the panel due to “personal reasons” ahead of the championship.

O’Mahony has been pivotal for the Kingdom in recent years and was man-of-the-match in their 2006 All-Ireland final win over Mayo.

The 27 year-old plays his club football with Rathmore and Kerry chairman Jerome Conway confimed the news on the county board website: “Aidan O’Mahony has taken time out from the Kerry senior football panel for personal reasons.”

After losing goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy and powerhouse midfielder Darragh O’Sé to retirement, the news will be the last thing boss Jack O’Connor wanted to hear as they begin their campaign to defend their crown as champions.