James O’Donoghue likely to miss Kerry’s league campaign

Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue says that he is likely to miss Kerry’s entire league campaign. Speaking at the Croke Park launch of the AIB sponsorship of the All-Ireland football championship, O’Donoghue who underwent shoulder surgery in November said that he would have more definite news next week.

"I'm going back up to Santry on Monday. Hannan Mullet is my surgeon and he is going to tell me – I think he is saying about eight or 10 weeks and I can go back into contact. So, depending on what Éamonn (Fitzmaurice, Kerry manager) thinks probably 12 weeks before I am playing again so it is not too bad and will come around fairly lively so I am happy enough.

“The league is out for me I’d say unless we get to a final or a semi-final and my rehab is going very well they might give me a few minutes maybe I am not even sure to be honest but in my head I am ruling out the league and hopefully getting ready for the championship.”

The All Star corner forward, whose training last summer was frequently compromised by the injury, said that he isn’t targeting a specific fixture, as the progress of his recovery is still uncertain.

“I don’t because the rehab is so all over the place. I don’t know when I am going to be able to do different things. If it all goes well, the league final maybe if Kerry get there and if not, the first round of the championship is perfect for me I don’t mind.”

O’Donogue admitted that he was a bad patient but said that the enforced absence from collective training has its compensations.

“The only good thing is that in Fitzgerald Stadium the gym actually overlooks the training field and the guys will be running around in the muck and the gutter and the puddles and I will be up in the warm gym.”