REPORTS FROM KERRY are suggesting that Kieran O’Leary has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and will miss the Kingdom’s entire championship campaign.
O’Leary, who lifted the Sam Maguire Cup last September, sustained the potentially career-threatening injury on a training camp in Portugal.
It is also understood that Allstar wing-back Paul Murphy has been ruled out of next Sunday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Tipperary with a shoulder problem.
Tommy Walsh, Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper and David Moran are also being monitored ahead of the trip to Semple Stadium.
Kerry sources have indicated that Walsh will not start but Cooper and Moran are tipped to line out.
News of O’Leary’s injury was touted yesterday and scans have revealed serious damage for the Dr. Crokes forward.
O’Leary, 27, is a three-time All-Ireland SFC winner and an U21 medallist from 2008.
He has also won five Munster senior titles in the green and gold.